saltwater aquarium filtration?

Question

lets just say i have a freshwater filtration system which is aquaclear. can i use that filtration system for my saltwater aquarium? or will the salt end up stuck in the filter?
if someone could explain in detail it would mean alot?
do saltwater aquariums need saltwater filters? or can they use freshwater filters? all help on the differences is appreciated

Answer 1

Any filter should be able to be used on either fresh or saltwater. I checked the manufacturer's info on the AquaClear to be sure, because even though I've used these, I never had one on a saltwater tank. According to the people who make them, they can be used in either. The sponge filtration should give you plenty of area for the bacteria to colonize, which is one reason I like these in freshwater.

The salt is dissolved in the water, so it doesn't get caught in your filter, or any of the media, including carbon. There is something called saltwater creep that you might notice, though. This is where water (with the salt) is drawn up through the sponge or along the sides of the filter, but once it gets up out of the water in the tank, the water evaporates, leaving the salt behind. This salt deposit attracts more saltwater, drawing the deposit even higher. This is normal to see, you just don't want the salt to get so far up the sides of the filter or tank that it gets out of the tank. Try and keep the water level close to the top, adding fresh water, not saltwater to compensate for the evaporation, and don't let the salt deposits fall into the tank - contact with the salt can cause a chemical burn on the organisms in the tank. Instead, try to carefully remove it and re-dissolve it in a little tank or freshwater, then add it back.

Even though you can use the same filter, you should let the tank cycle so the sponge in the filter can build up the new bacteria. The old probably won't survive the change in the amount of salt in the water.

Answer 2

yes they can be used for both FW and SW i use to use one myself on one of my SW tanks the problem i found with it is the drive shaft that engages where you put the nozzle in that such in the water began to rust relatively quickly in salt water. I had an older model not sure if they have changed the design since but if you still have the metal drive shaft than you may get the same problem. Salt water is much more corrosive than freshwater and you dont really want any metal in the tank.

Answer 3

If you have previously used it on a freshwater tank, then you can't use it in a saltwater tank. The bacteria established in the filter can't adjust to the change in salinity that fast and will die. If you just bought it and haven't used it before, then you can. Most filters are for FW and SW, but some are made specifically for FW or SW.

~ZTM

Answer 4

you can use both in SW, filters are meant to be used for FW or SW they are just aquarium filters.
i have never used an aquaclear (SW or FW) but from what i hear they are very dependable and are often used in SW.
the only posible problem if that HOB type filters may generate alot of salt creep because parts of water are more exposed to the air than other types. if that happens you can just scrape it off and add it back to the tank. (assuming you didn't add salt to replace this)

Answer 5

sure a sump might help, yet for advantageous- RO water is a could. in case you’re introducing phosphates, nitrate and different junk into your tank including your water transformations you’re continuously going to have issues. A UV clear out might help with unfastened floating organisms yet i'm quite against them myself.. i might propose~ a million. Get some RO water. you would be waiting to purchase RO and or DI water at any filtered water place. I even have 4 5 gallon jugs that I refill weekly and that i suitable off with Ozarka 'purified' water that they supply. 2. Get a high quality carbon in case you’re no longer already utilising one. 3. examine your nitrates often till your device is wholesome. 4. Do weekly 10%-20% water transformations and use a high quality salt with a respectable volume of dissolved minerals and proper pH. 5. exchange your bulbs each year. utilising old computing gadget bulbs will inspire algae improve. in case you’re utilising old bulbs this may well be in simple terms approximately fullyyt in charge on your algae bloom. 6. be sure you have adequate stay rock. For a tank that length i might say 35 lbs minimal 7. be sure you have a sufficient freshen up group regularly .5 to a million critter in step with gallon. Mechanical filters are a waste of funds. positioned funds into your stay rock, and learn getting a protein skimmer and a sump in case you are able to. the certainty is you would be extra acceptable off without clear out in any respect in maximum circumstances. in the experience that your preliminary setup is sturdy and you do your water transformations in many circumstances, vacuum your sand mattress, do no longer overload or overfeed the device and you utilize high quality products you would be sturdy to flow.