New tank concerns

[bcrane]

So I recently bought an established tank off craigslist (a deal too good to pass up) Including 40gal/40lbs LR/HOB CPR filter/penguin 550 powerhead/Biowheel 200 filter with 2 false perc clowns and a firefish.

I posted in another forum (but have grown quite fond of this one) And after doing some research on different methods of maintaining a saltwater aquarium and asking the other forum, I was told I do not need to use the filter.

I tested levels before hand, and everything was normal.

After 24 hours of taking out the filter, all levels are normal, besides nitrates which are an abominal 150ppm, and my pH plumited to 7.4. I immediately put back in the filter and am checking levels frequently.

Can the removal of a filter really have this much of an impact?
What are your thoughts?
I finally have a day off tomorrow so I am going to do a water change and cleaning ritual.

[bcrane]

Also, while running the filter, there are TONS of microbubbles, which were non existant after removal

[wis_fishing_guy]

If I were you I lose all filters. Add a real skimmer asap and then a hob overflow with a sump filled cheato algae and a 6500k cf spotlight.

[sedor]

By losing the filter you probably took away needed flow in the tank, which in turn will cause your ph to go down. A skimmer will replace the HOB filter and still provide the aeration you need, but its also possible to run a tank without a skimmer. Its not as effective and chances are you will have nitrates which means it would be best left as a fish only system. If you do decide to go skimmerless, I would at least invest in some decent powerheads. A couple Koralia 2's would be great for that tank and provide plenty of flow and surface movement.

[bertoni]

You might need to add a powerhead, but I'd also check the ammonia level. In general, pulling a filter abruptly is a dangerous step.

[bcrane]

Err, typo up above, the HOB CPR is a protein skimmer, not a filter.

Sorry, frantic typing

Im getting 2 koralia PW tomorrow to replace my one penguin 550, just havent decided on koralia 2 or 3 yet, or combo of the two

[bertoni]

Okay, then I suspect the pH measurement is not correct, but it's hard to be sure. More flow is a good idea, in any case.