CPR Cyclone Biofilter 192 - question

Tippfish · Feb 22, 2015

I am in the process of setting up a 46gal tank. A long time out of the hobby, so maybe this should have been posted in the newbie section. I have a CPR Cyclone Biofilter 192. After cycling (involving live sand & rock) , I plan start up with small hardy fish. Eventually, when my bank account allows, I would like to get some high PAR lighting and some frag corals (the hardy kind).

After reading on the forums it sounds like a "fuge" with a skimmer and cheato is a very popular method for reef tanks to manage phosphates and nitrates.

I understand the inherent concerns with bio-balls/ bales and nitrate risks.

Question.... could I remove the bio-bale on a CPR and add in a product like Miracle Mud to grow a macro algae?

The CPR has a protein skimmer already, so I see this as a plus (unfortunately, it appear to be part of the sump design. I would like use my existing equipment if possible versus building a fuge (low cost) and buying a new protein skimmer (high cost).

Is keeping any coral realistic with a wet/dry filter system?

Experience, comments and opinions are appreciated.

Reef-roach · Feb 22, 2015

Hey Tippfish. I acquired a used CPR (I think it was a 194? With 2 skimmers) from a friend that upgraded his tank in 2001 or 2002. It was so long ago I hope I remember the details correctly. The previous owner ran a successful reef with the bio-bale. He had a lot of soft corals and a few lps. He also had a lot of caulerpa and halimeda growing in the tank, which may have sponged a lot of the nitrates created by the biomedia. When I set up the sump on my tank, I removed the biomedia beforehand. I'm pretty sure I only ran it loke four months before removing it and replacing it with a 20L and an in sump air-driven skimmer because I couldn't get the cy skimmers to run well. I hated the rio venturis- always plugging up. If I recall correctly, it may be a shallow, splashing mess if you try to remove the bio-bale and use that chamber as a refugium because of the water level. If you increase the water level in this chamber, I don't think you'd have enough overflow capacity when the pump is turned off. Hope I'm remembering correctly and this helps.