about filtration...

[skye4jc]

so, whats the low down on filtration? obviuosly i know you need one to keep a tank running, but how about some specifics....

ive heard several things that im hoping some of you can deny or confirm:

1) the more filtration the better. (so does that mean, if i have a 10 gallon tank, a filter that filters 50 gallons is better than one that filters 10?? i mean, how do you determine maximum filtration for a tank?)

2) Undergravel filters are only good as a supplementary filter. (Really? then why even bother?? can someone explain why you'd need one if you have a great waterfall variety? whats the purpose of them?)

3)is it true that if i increase my filtration, i can add more fish? whats the ratio of this equation. ie 10 gal tank + filter for a 20 gal = how many more inches of fish? and at what point does this end?? (with out being daft, like "well, if your tank is so full of fish that you cant even see through it, then its too many... hehehehe" ) * see question one about how much filtration can be maximized for a tank.

4) last but not least... tell us your favourite brand of filter, or any good vs. bad stories in your filter ventures, and i think we would all find this info helpful. (regardless of what counrty we live in.)

and i know i would certainly be that much more the wiser when talking to customers at work!

thanks!!

 

[corykitty516]

1) you need to make sure the filter isnt so strong that the fish cant take the current. If I put my Aquaclear 300 on my 10 gal it would blow them away. I'd up by at least 10 gal in "reccomended size" but make sure the current doesnt prevent your fish from swimming.

2) UGF's I dont use them 'cause they dont work with sand and they get gross and they are starting to get obsolete anyway.

3) I think it depends on a fish ... like dont put a common pleco in a 10 gal no matter how overfiltered you are. Like I have 12-16" of small fish in a 10 gal ... it has a filter that can go for 20 gal and some of these are bottom dwellers. I'd actually rather have these in a 30 gal ... but that is besides the point.

4) I've only used whisper 20i and various aquaclears. I really prefer the aquaclear .... you can do your own media in it and the flow is somewhat adjustable.

 

[Bignose]

1) it is generally stated that you want to turn the tank over 7 to 10 times an hour. So, you will have to look at how many gallons per hour the filter handles and the tank you want to use. Then, as CK said, this is going to be fish dependent. Fish from slow moving streams and lakes are not going to appreciate large currents at all. Conversely, fish from rapidly moving streams would not like underpowers filters. This is where research into the fish that are planning on being kept is necessary.

2) Undergravel (UG) filters did revolutionize in-home aquaria. Before their common use, one had to have a heavily planted tank and stock extremely lightly by today's standard. Effectively, the filtration was performed by the plants. UG filtration allows the entire gravel bed to become the home to all the beneficial bacteria. Lots of surface area, a significant amount of flow, and some mechanical filtration is perfomred as the larger particles get sucked down into the gravel and kept there.

But, as CK said, they can probably be considered obsolete. You had to gravel vac part of the tank consistently. If too much gunk built up in one point, the beneficial bacteria are blocked from the flow. Also, the gravel bed could 'rathole' in that a channel could form where in the water could bypass the gravel bed -- and the ammonia would not be reduced to less dangerous wastes. But, you could not over clean the gravel, either, as you might disturb and/or vacuum up too much beneficial bacteria causing a mini-cycle. So, you have to clean the gravel some, but not too much.

3) Additional filtering capacity can increase the amount of fish you can keep. But this is an extremely poor idea until one becomes very experienced. And one is willing to put the necessary work into keeping the additional bio-load. A heavily-stocked tank will require more water changes, and more watching to make sure that the fish are healthy. With more fish, disease can spread extremely quickly. And the fish have to be much more carefully chosen as a few more fish can be the difference between happy community and aggressive bullies. All of this again goes back to research before one buys the fish. So, there is no formula -- the inches per gallon formula in general is meaningless. CK alluded to this already. But, here is an oft-repeated example: no 20" fish should ever be put in a 20 gal tank, but 20 1" fish would most likely be very content in that tank. Again, research -- especially looking up the fish's adult size. That bala shark sure is cute when it is very young and 2-4" big, but when an adult it grows large enough to be measured in feet.

4) I feel that the bio-wheel filters have been the next great invention in filter technology. The benefical bacteria need oxygen to perform their duties, and the biowheels give them access to thousands of times more oxygen than they get in the tank water. Plus, you know exactly where a majority of your bacteria are, so you can change out the mechanical filter pads without having to save a sponge or only wash in tank water. So long as you take care of the biowheel itself, you can kind of fool around with anything else you want without having to go through a mini-cycle. But there are seveal excellent choices, most canister filters are very good. The choice of filter will depend upon application: the filter you choose for your show tank is probably inappropriate for your quarantine or fry grow-out tank.

I know I am repeating myself here, but preach research over impulse buys to your customers. And, obviously, you are going to have to do a fair amount of research yourself, as you are going to be considered an expert in the eyes of your cusotmers. Asking questions on the forums here is just one part, manufacturer's webpages and the manuals that come with the filters (and other equipment) are also invaluable. Borrow a few books from your library. There are lots of resources out there, sometimes with conflicting info, so you will have to learn to evaluate advice and try to pick the best from confusing info. Best of luck!

 

[steelhealr]

Bignose...excellent reply and thanks from all of us for taking the time to post it. It never hurts to review the facts and good advice. BTW....I have an AquaClear 70 (300) and most people here say it's a very good filter. SH

 

[Fishy411]

1- It all dpends on What afish you have. If you have a lot of tiny fish you dont want lots of flow but some fish like more flow lik emountain minnows.

2- UG filters should not be used as a main filter.

3- If u have small fish and want a few more than recommended than u can get a few more than recommended if u have really good filtration

4- I like B io-wheels for big tanks and for like 10 gallon tanks i prefer the whisper filter.

 

[CFC]

Another thing to add is that when you start looking into the realms of big tanks of 100 gallons or more you are no longer looking at the flow rate of the filter but at the volume of media it can hold, the general rule is to have enough media to match 10% of the tank volume, ie 100g tank has 10 gallons of media.

 

[Chunandler]

1) you need to make sure the filter isnt so strong that the fish cant take the current. If I put my Aquaclear 300 on my 10 gal it would blow them away. I'd up by at least 10 gal in "reccomended size" but make sure the current doesnt prevent your fish from swimming.

2) UGF's I dont use them 'cause they dont work with sand and they get gross and they are starting to get obsolete anyway.

3) I think it depends on a fish ... like dont put a common pleco in a 10 gal no matter how overfiltered you are. Like I have 12-16" of small fish in a 10 gal ... it has a filter that can go for 20 gal and some of these are bottom dwellers. I'd actually rather have these in a 30 gal ... but that is besides the point.

4) I've only used whisper 20i and various aquaclears. I really prefer the aquaclear .... you can do your own media in it and the flow is somewhat adjustable.

yeah i ha a pleco and a couple balas in a ten gallon for a half a year before i moved them and i had a regent filter that worked fine..i put my 55 gal filter on (for the 30) on the 10 to try it out..haha it worked great..cycle the water about a billion times per hour..now ive got 3 platys and an oto in the ten gallon and 5-15i whisper filter and it works fine

if your going to have dirty fish you may want to go with a filter thats a tad more powerful then what is suggested

 

[skye4jc]

tks you guys... this is a good start. i have compiled all your answers so far into a word doc so that i can have the info on hand for my customers at my LFS where i work. If theres any more to add, please let me know so i can give correct and thorough advise!

youre all great!