Removing old sponge filters that house pods?

[seaschiz]

I have a waterbox 20 AIO. Recently upgraded chamber 1 with the inTank filter floss, bio balls, and carbon setup. My chamber 2 currently holds 2 large sponge blocks. These sponges house a super healthy population of copepods that I don't want to lose. I want to replace the sponges with chaeto. I'm not even sure this change is necessary?! My nitrates are at 10. Basically, I want to squeeze the sponges back into the fish tank. However, I fear I will be releasing a lot of nitrate back into the tank by doing that!

 

[Crabs McJones]

I would just shake the sponges in the water, alot of the pods will take off running. Otherwise get a separate container with a strainer and squeeze out the pods, and transfer them that way. Then only the pods are getting transferred and the detritus in the sponge stays in the container.

 

[seaschiz]

I would just shake the sponges in the water, alot of the pods will take off running. Otherwise get a separate container with a strainer and squeeze out the pods, and transfer them that way. Then only the pods are getting transferred and the detritus in the sponge stays in the container.

In your opinion, will chaeto be more beneficial long term than a sponge, or is it a minimal difference? I imagine it would get me below 10 nitrates, but all of my corals are happy and healthy. I moreso want to do it because it's the 'right way to do it'.
These are my thoughts, anyways;
Pros: Cleaner water, less detritus buildup
Cons: Disturb an established system, less housing for pods (less surface area?)
Unsure: Remove a system that is providing a current safe* housing of nitrate for the tank

 

[Crabs McJones]

In your opinion, will chaeto be more beneficial long term than a sponge, or is it a minimal difference? I imagine it would get me below 10 nitrates, but all of my corals are happy and healthy. I moreso want to do it because it's the 'right way to do it'.
These are my thoughts, anyways;
Pros: Cleaner water, less detritus buildup
Cons: Disturb an established system, less housing for pods (less surface area?)
Unsure: Remove a system that is providing a current safe* housing of nitrate for the tank

Pods will thrive in chaeto. I used to run a refugium with chaeto and pods, best decision ever. Kept nutrients in check and was full of pods.
Best part, you can harvest chaeto and give to to reefers that need it :)

 

[seaschiz]

Pods will thrive in chaeto. I used to run a refugium with chaeto and pods, best decision ever. Kept nutrients in check and was full of pods.
Best part, you can harvest chaeto and give to to reefers that need it :)

Awesome! Thank you so much for the feedback, I'll go ahead and move forward with the idea then. :)

 

[Crabs McJones]

Awesome! Thank you so much for the feedback, I'll go ahead and move forward with the idea then. :)

I was pulling out a mat like this almost weekly.
Best advice I can give when running a fuge, get a good grow light that utilizes the red and blue spectrum.
I strongly recommend the Kessil H380 only because I had personal great experience with using it. However I've seen other fuges ran with grow lights from amazon or ebay that are a fraction of the cost.

 

[Rhetoric]

because it's the 'right way to do it'.

Cheers to a fellow 20gallon.

What exactly is the problem you're trying to solve?

I woudnt be add Chaeto for a couple reasons:

It's a mess.
Your Nitrates are at 10. I have to dose to keep my Nitrates at 10.
I feel Spending time and money on Coral is better. Why grow seaweed in a place nobody can see, v.s. growing a beautiful display full of coral?

Not a fan of all the 'right way' ideas. If I was in charge it would always read closer to:

'if I need it'

I run nothing in my chambers but a heater and return pump.

Last thought.

If you want to add it for fun, to learn how Chaeto grows in your aquarium. To help better understand the 'If I need it'

Thats a good reason to do it.

(My 20 for reference)

 

[seaschiz]

Cheers to a fellow 20gallon.

What exactly is the problem you're trying to solve?

I woudnt be add Chaeto for a couple reasons:

It's a mess.
Your Nitrates are at 10. I have to dose to keep my Nitrates at 10.
I feel Spending time and money on Coral is better. Why grow seaweed in a place nobody can see, v.s. growing a beautiful display full of coral?

Not a fan of all the 'right way' ideas. If I was in charge it would always read closer to:

'if I need it'

I run nothing in my chambers but a heater and return pump.

Last thought.

If you want to add it for fun, to learn how Chaeto grows in your aquarium. To help better understand the 'If I need it'

Thats a good reason to do it.

(My 20 for reference)

Your 20 is much prettier than mine! Maybe one day haha. My only concern is my phosphates, which I have actually never tested for. I have no reason to believe they are high, but I have read chaeto can bring down phosphates (as well as nitrates - which obviously wouldn't be ideal). I don't know if it's OCD related but if I haven't tested for something I just assume the worst. Perhaps I can bring a water sample to an LFS and have it tested.

 

[seaschiz]

Cheers to a fellow 20gallon.

What exactly is the problem you're trying to solve?

I woudnt be add Chaeto for a couple reasons:

It's a mess.
Your Nitrates are at 10. I have to dose to keep my Nitrates at 10.
I feel Spending time and money on Coral is better. Why grow seaweed in a place nobody can see, v.s. growing a beautiful display full of coral?

Not a fan of all the 'right way' ideas. If I was in charge it would always read closer to:

'if I need it'

I run nothing in my chambers but a heater and return pump.

Last thought.

If you want to add it for fun, to learn how Chaeto grows in your aquarium. To help better understand the 'If I need it'

Thats a good reason to do it.

(My 20 for reference)

How do you have your 20 setup filtration wise?

 

[Rhetoric]

Your 20 is much prettier than mine! Maybe one day haha. My only concern is my phosphates, which I have actually never tested for. I have no reason to believe they are high, but I have read chaeto can bring down phosphates (as well as nitrates - which obviously wouldn't be ideal). I don't know if it's OCD related but if I haven't tested for something I just assume the worst. Perhaps I can bring a water sample to an LFS and have it tested.

Come on now! I call tell you're a smart person. Re-read what you just wrote. You're adding and changing equipment and concepts for something you've yet to test for.

Pump the breaks. Next purchase a test kit.

 

[seaschiz]

Come on now! I call tell you're a smart person. Re-read what you just wrote. You're adding and changing equipment and concepts for something you've yet to test for.

Pump the breaks. Next purchase a test kit.

My fiance is upset with how much money I spend on the tank and it's hard to justify a $70 Hanna test kit after the most recent amount of money I spent on the tank, which was about a car payment + insurance :anxious-face-with-sweat: maybe I'll sneak it into the cabinet in the middle of the night like Santa or something.

 

[Rhetoric]

How do you have your 20 setup filtration wise?

What is it I should be filtering?

Nitrates? The aquarium drinks them with all the coral.

Phosphates? I have dose them aswell.

Mechanical Filtration is me I do 2 gallon water changes twice a month. I try to suck out any detritus.

Once in awhile I add carbon to clear up the water.

Testing and find out what your tank is doing will guide how you react and "filter"

Shouldn't base changes on my aquarium. I just like to point out that a lot of equipment and concepts are situational.

 

[seaschiz]

What is it I should be filtering?

Nitrates? The aquarium drinks them with all the coral.

Phosphates? I have dose them aswell.

Mechanical Filtration is me I do 2 gallon water changes twice a month. I try to suck out any detritus.

Once in awhile I add carbon to clear up the water.

Testing and find out what your tank is doing will guide how you react and "filter"

Shouldn't base changes on my aquarium. I just like to point out that a lot of equipment and concepts are situational. I totally agree with you.

I completely agree. Your tank looks great, so I was just curious as to what you were running within the chambers of your AIO. I will say the one issue I deal with is a bit of algae, I have a 20 cube, not a 20 peninsula and have a lot of coral and rockwork close to the glass in some areas that makes it hard to remove.

 

[Rhetoric]

My fiance is upset with how much money I spend on the tank

Spoken like a true reefer! (I live in Colorado that words means something else here)

Welcome to the cool kids club! (20 gallons of course)

All you want for valentines is a test kit...

 

[seaschiz]

Spoken like a true reefer! (I live in Colorado that words means something else here)

Welcome to the cool kids club! (20 gallons of course)

All you want for valentines is a test kit...

That's not a bad thing to ask for :face-with-tears-of-joy: maybe I'll be extra sweet and that'll earn me test kit permission :face-with-tears-of-joy:

 

[Rhetoric]

I completely agree. Your tank looks great, so I was just curious as to what you were running within the chambers of your AIO. I will say the one issue I deal with is a bit of algae, I have a 20 cube, not a 20 peninsula and have a lot of coral and rockwork close to the glass in some areas that makes it hard to remove.

Algae part of the gig. I find itharder to manage in a nano because of the lack of algae eating fish.

My CUC MVPs are a Conch and Urchin.

Chamber one - nothing (occasionally carbon) sometimes during water changes I blow the rocks off with a baster and will add a (sock/sponge) to collect the crap in the water. I then remove it after a couple hours.
Chamber two - heater
Chamber three - return pump, ATO sensor, dosing lines.

I run one doser with All for Reef.

 

[seaschiz]

Spoken like a true reefer! (I live in Colorado that words means something else here)

Welcome to the cool kids club! (20 gallons of course)

All you want for valentines is a test kit...

I've had the tank for about ~3 years now. Downgraded from my 120 + 90 FOWLR when I moved :/ I've bought the 20 with the idea that I could finally keep some pretty cool corals, in a big tank it was hard to justify the price. I've finally started delving into some harder to keep stuff so I'm trying to get my system perfect. :smiling-face-with-sunglasses: I can keep some 'easier' SPS like montis, lepto, and cyphastrea. Just bought 3 acros from WWC so we'll see if I have any better luck this time around. Only tried acro one other occasion and I think I melted it! Softies and LPS love my tank. Currently have the acros low near the sand bed, and will be slowly bringing it towards the surface this time around!

 

[seaschiz]

Algae part of the gig. I find itharder to manage in a nano because of the lack of algae eating fish.

My CUC MVPs are a Conch and Urchin.

Chamber one - nothing (occasionally carbon) sometimes during water changes I blow the rocks off with a baster and will add a (sock/sponge) to collect the crap in the water. I then remove it after a couple hours.
Chamber two - heater
Chamber three - return pump, ATO sensor, dosing lines.

I run one doser with All for Reef.

Really want a tuxedo urchin. I'm just afraid it'll move everything around. My conch likes to burrow right under my torch once in a while and I have to set it back upright.

I have a derasa clam who I think does a great job at helping with water quality too. It's almost tripled in size in the ~year I've owned it.