Magnum Hot Tank Canister

[sylros]

Hello fellow aquarists,

First off, thank you for this forum as I keep on going through newbie stuff/event...but thanks to your info, I'm set straight.

So, I've recently upgraded to a 36gal tank, bought it used which included everything to get going. The filter used was a tank canister one (HOT magnum), according to the instructions, it uses activated carbon...but there's a post here that indicates it's not needed...there is a foam sleeve surrounding the carbon chamber already. There's also an optional bio-wheel that could be used, would that be better than the carbon as it never needs replacing. A bigger tank means it's more expensive to maintain...all these chemicals...what do you guys do with your water changes...does oxygenating the water for 24hrs first work? I keep on running out of dechlorinator stuff.

My new tank is a community tank but this time with real plants... Another challenge I'm giving myself...lucky for me, I've got the time to spend on much research. So far so good though!

 

[Mowbz]

Congrats on your upgrade!

The filter you are using i have never heard of, but if it works, what the hell huh? The carbon as you rightly have said, isnt needed. But keep it, its good for taking used meds out of the water at a later date.

In relation to water changes, most of us use bucket after bucket (or have some sort of pumped system) to get water out an back in. "Oxygenating" the water as you put it, wont work unfortunately. This was the normal method years ago when we thought there was only chlorine in the water, wich does "gas off" over 24-48hrs, but that wont get rid of Chloramine (Ammonia and Chlorine combined) and this is why we use a dechlorintor. The dechlorinator will also include substances for ridding the water of heavy metal also.

Hope this helps you decide on your maintenance moving forward. Would recommend buying dechlor in bulk (1ltrs+ bottles), its much cheaper, and you'll (if you keep an eye out ) always have some.

 

[sylros]

Thanks for setting me straight with dechlorinating the water! It's true I had forgotten about the rest of the stuff found in city water. Do you also temper the water, by this I mean, use hot water to make it the right temperature? Apparently, this might not be so good because of the metals that can be brought in from the hot water tank. I don't think this is a problem with me since my hot water tank is fairly new. So, far I've not had a problem with any of my water changes regardless of the tank size...plus working in cold water is no fun!

Here is a link to this type of filter: http/www.tetra-fish.com/sites/marineland/products/Detail.aspx?id=3465

It's strong enough for a 50 gal, not sure if that's good or not but it sure does create movement in the water surface. The guy I bought it from, seemed - to do things excessively - he would completely fill the chamber with carbon which is double the recommended amount.

If carbon is not needed, then why is it sold with every filter? What would you do to keep you water clear as I understand it, this is something that it helps with.

Would a sponge be good enough then? There's a bio-wheel that I can attach to it, would you know if this is worthwhile? This wheel never needs changing so would be worth the investment...if it does the job.

What do you use?

 

[DrRob]

Carbon is useful. I personally use it to clear contaminants out of my water. Occasionally my bog wood leaches more than I like or I've used medication or similar.

I suspect the manufacturers use it because it has become the accepted norm, and it needs regularly replacing, which is fine by them, as they sell the right shaped sponges.

I believe that most people here simply take them out and use the space to cram in more biological filter media, as that's what really makes a difference to water quality.

 

[Mowbz]

Thanks for setting me straight with dechlorinating the water! It's true I had forgotten about the rest of the stuff found in city water. Do you also temper the water, by this I mean, use hot water to make it the right temperature? Apparently, this might not be so good because of the metals that can be brought in from the hot water tank. I don't think this is a problem with me since my hot water tank is fairly new. So, far I've not had a problem with any of my water changes regardless of the tank size...plus working in cold water is no fun!

Here is a link to this type of filter: http/www.tetra-fish.com/sites/marineland/products/Detail.aspx?id=3465

It's strong enough for a 50 gal, not sure if that's good or not but it sure does create movement in the water surface. The guy I bought it from, seemed - to do things excessively - he would completely fill the chamber with carbon which is double the recommended amount.

If carbon is not needed, then why is it sold with every filter? What would you do to keep you water clear as I understand it, this is something that it helps with.

Would a sponge be good enough then? There's a bio-wheel that I can attach to it, would you know if this is worthwhile? This wheel never needs changing so would be worth the investment...if it does the job.

What do you use?

Filter looks strong enough to handle the capacity, no issue there.

The carbon as above is sold with most, but again, as said, its purely for you to replace it. Caqrbon is only any good for its first few days, in terms of removing tannins, meds, ect. After that it just swells up and becomes like any other media. It has been linked to causing HITH Disease in Cichlids but this is unproven. (When leaving it in for months)

To keep the water really clear most use "filter floss". It looks like the polyester stuffing you get in pillow, soft toys, etc. This is use as the very last peice of media the water goes through, to take out the tiny particles not caught by the more coarse media at the inlet.



EDIT: Forgot about the water temp! Most people will "temp match" the water using hot an cold. A long as it roughly matches you wont shock the fish. I keep a second thermometer to check water in buckets before pumping it into the tank.

 

[sylros]

OK, I've got loads of that stuff...being a seamstress in the old days...would it mean that I could replace the carbon with this stuffing? There is also a sponge cover on the outside of the carbon container...the optional bio-wheel goes in there instead of the carbon...so it would make sense.

 

[Mowbz]

Not sure it would be the same stuff, but knowing how its made, cant see there would be a difference either. Its just plastic pellets melted down and turned into yarns, spuntogether like cotton, and then shredded into the wooly floss stuff or kepy as yarns for turning into cloth.

I say go for it

 

[Tolak]

Filter floss, which really is nothing more than cheap pillow or craft stuffing, is a commonly used filter media. Make sure to use the real cheap stuff, which doesn't have fire retardants.

Out of all the Magnum series filters the HOT Magnum seems to be the most reliable. Having a push button switch on the back makes it a good fishroom tool for going from tank to tank polishing water, packed with the cheap & disposable floss.

 

[This Old Spouse]

Are you planning to cycle this new setup with or without fish? I'm hoping without, unless you're going to use established media from one of your other tanks.

 

[sylros]

Not sure it would be the same stuff, but knowing how its made, cant see there would be a difference either. Its just plastic pellets melted down and turned into yarns, spuntogether like cotton, and then shredded into the wooly floss stuff or kepy as yarns for turning into cloth.

I say go for it

That's what I'm thinking...so I will try it soon enough...I just have to make sure there's no fire retardant chemicals...don't think so but it's been so long since I've made a stuffed toy that I don't remember. lol

 

[sylros]

Are you planning to cycle this new setup with or without fish? I'm hoping without, unless you're going to use established media from one of your other tanks.

It's cycling with established media from my other tank but it was only a 10gal so it might not be enough...the new tank is a planted one, hopefully this will help as well...the plants are already growing! After a couple of weeks, 2 fish were added (danio + white cloud), the same ones used for all my other tanks...I would have put other danios but couldn't catch them...they're fast! I'm doing daily tests, and water changes...The filter for my 10gal needed cleaning so I put that media in a couple of days ago...I'm about to make some tests.