Lots Of Particles In Water

[raptorrex]

Hydor seem to have only one person working there that can answer this question, he is off till the 3rd of nov.

 

[lgarvey]

Hydor seem to have only one person working there that can answer this question, he is off till the 3rd of nov.

tetratec have not replied at all so far. Maybe they have something to hide? =)

L

 

[kj23502]

Good to know eheim fills it with media when they check it I have 2 eheims

 

[lgarvey]

Here ya go. Feedback from Tetratec: -

"Thank you for your email,

You are correct that the max flow rate of these canister filters is calculated without filter media in, at a lift of 1 metre. It is important that the flow rate is gauged in standard conditions, introduction of filter media would then introduce further variable that would add ambiguity.

The actual flow rate depends on the condition of the media, the length of the pipework and degree of clogging, the degree of bends/ kinks in the pipes, the lift, the condition of the impellor and many other variables. Under very unfavourable circumstances the flow rate would drop further than ½ the quoted figure. However, in new filter, with clean media and pipes, I would predict a flow rate of roughly 900-1000 lph."

So, if I'm hot on filter maintenance with 2 tetra tec ex1200 running at say 1800 lph that's the tank turned over 6 times. For an overstocked mbuna tank, that is not great. *sigh* Wish I had room in the cabinet for that FX5! I'd have had two of 'em running together. I'm sure then ther would be a whirlpool in the tank! *grins* ... but at least it'd be clean.

L

 

[fishlover500]

If you have a bigger budget I would go for an eheim rather than fluval, fluval tend to loose their flow rate and break down more, hence why they are cheaper.

 

[lgarvey]

If you have a bigger budget I would go for an eheim rather than fluval, fluval tend to loose their flow rate and break down more, hence why they are cheaper.

Budget is not a major issue - but I was more perplexed by the ehiem filters. Lots of different ranges pro II, pro II wet & dry etc. I didn't know what to do for. I have now already bought an ex1200, but I would definitely upgrade some time soon if it's not performing.

I have been appraising ext filters purely in terms of throughput, thus 2300L fx5 is better than ... anything else. But it now seems it isn't that simple. I'd love for someone to say "Ok buy these two filters (which will fit in your cabinets given available space) and you'll have wonderfully clear water"

L

 

[fishlover500]

How much space do you have in your cabinet?

Tetratec is a good brand, I have heard a lot great things about them.

 

[raptorrex]

got a reply from Hydor:

Dear Consumer,

The prime flow rates are determined complete with the set up media which comes with the prime. Hoses are approximately 1metre long.
Each prime fileter is supplied with all available accessories required for installation.

Kind regards

Paul Mason
Hydor UK

no idea what comes with the filter, but this is their reply.

Interpet claim not to do cannisters any more??? [URL="http/www.aquatics-direct.co.uk/rangeView...?categoryID=341"]http/www.aquatics-direct.co.uk/rangeView...?categoryID=341[/URL]

 

[lgarvey]

How much space do you have in your cabinet?

Tetratec is a good brand, I have heard a lot great things about them.

The FX5 would fit except that at the bottom of the cannister there's a bit that juts out which is where the motor is housed, I believe. This wouldnt' fit, but may have fitted if it was in the cabinet on an angle. I didnt't want to risk it and have my stylish fish tank set-up ruined because one of the bottom doors would not fit!

L

 

[n3il]

Hello Guys/Gals,

Have had my tank up and running for almost 2 years now so everything is nice and stable and happy. I too have a EX1200 on my tank which is a 110L Fluval, so it is a bit overkill but I gather from reading this most excellent forum that that isnt a bad thing. So yeah, particles in the water, pretty much all the time. I cleaned out the whole tank yesterday 15 November, spraybar, pickup, tubes, glass, sand, and a full filter clean. And today there are still loads of little particals floating about.


My EX1200 when opened up for cleaning after say 4-5 weeks, has a moderate amount of brown sludge in the bottom but the ceramic beads and filter foam seem to have nothing "in them", squeezing them out in a fresh bucket of tank water produces next to nothing. this is the same right up until the final basket where I have a activated carbon sachet and a load of filter floss. This seems to catch a fair amount of particulates and is noticeably tainted. I have play sand as my substrate and have noted that around the intake tube on the top basket there is a load of sand build up. Now this is unlikely to have made its way down the tube through all the baskets and then all the way back up through the foam and filter floss to finally settle round this tube. This has concerned me for a while now as it seems that the sand (and probably a portion of everything else) is managing to bypass the tube down to the bottom of the filter and is just being sucked straight back out of the top basket by the filter head. I have spent much time cleaning and making sure the baskets are properly aligned both inside and outside the filter body. So I am confident that it isnt a simple case of the baskets not making a good seal. I also believe this is why I have a load of particulates floating round in my tank 24/7.

Or is it just me, is crystal clear, particulate free water asking too much?

Any advise or comments are appreciated.

N3il