New Aquarium And Got Some Questions...

[Eines]

I just bought a new aquarium from ebay and have a few questions. *pokes the dead looking filters* The aquarium is 30g, which is the biggest I've ever had, and up until now I've only used HOB filters, so I have a few questions. First off, the 112l aquarium came with an external and an internal filter. The external one is Fluval 403 and apparently pumps 1200l an hour. The internal filter is from vita tech and says that it pumps 498l per hour. I'm assuming the external filter will be enough, since it pumps all the water almost 10 times per hour, or do I need both? (and why did the aquarium come with two if I only need the one) Anyway, the external filter didn't come with any tubing, so could someone give me a quick run down on what tubes I need to buy and how to "prime" them? And one last question: after fiddling around with the external filter, I finally managed to open it. It has three layers (stacked on top of each other) with three types of sponge filter (fine, fine, and coarse on the bottom). The thing that I'm confused about is that on my HOB filter I has bio, sponge, and carbon. I know that carbon isn't really necessary, but what about bio material, don't I need any of that in this filter? Sorry that I have so many questions, thanks if you bother to answer.

 

[Colin_T]

You can run as many filters on a tank as you want. Having two filters will give you a back up should one fail. The owner might have had the internal filter originally and then bought the external because the internal didn't do a very good job and needed cleaning all the time.

Ceramic beads/ noodles are used to hold bacteria in the filter. Sponges do that as well as trapping the gunk. You can buy the noodles if you want or just use the sponges.

The plastic hose can be Fluval hose from the lFS or any clear plastic hose from a hardware. You just need some hose that fits on the inlet and outlet of the filter. The intake hose usually has a strainer or cage on it to prevent fish being sucked up. These can also be purchased from the LFS.

The easiest way to prime an external filter is to have the inlet hose in the tank and suck on the outlet/ return hose. Once the water starts draining into the filter you put the outlet into a bucket next to the filter. Leave it until the filter is full of water and the bucket is filling up. Then put the return hose in the tank and turn the filter on.
You should check the motor before setting the filter up. Have the motor housing upsidedown so you can see the impellor (magnet with plastic blades on). Plug in the motor and see if the impellor spins. Then turn it off. If the impellor spin the motor is fine. If it doesn't spin then it might need a clean or is stuffed and needs replacing.

 

[Eines]

thanks for the detailed reply, that really really helps. Would you suggest adding some bio material, or should it work fine with just sponges? And how often would you suggest changing the sponges? on my HOB I change the bio material every four months and the sponge every two months...

 

[Colin_T]

I don't bother using the noodles or ceramic beads. I only use sponges in my filters. I replace them about every 10 years or so when they start to fall apart. Some are even older than that. Basically when the sponge starts to crumble when you take it out and clean it, then it is time to replace it.
Most filter media will last for yrs and only need replacing when they start to fall apart. The filter companies suggest replacing them regularly so you keep buying their stuff. But you only need to replace the media when it starts to fall apart.

The only filter materials that need replacing regularly is carbon (black granulated stuff) and Ammogon (white granulated stuff). Ammogon shouldn't be used on a normal tank anyway and carbon shouldn't be used if you are using plant fertilisers or medications in the tank.
If you do have carbon in the filter then it should be replaced about once a month if it is normal carbon and once every 2 months if it is activated.

 

[Eines]

Okay, so I'll just stick with sponges then.

I just checked the filter motor and it works like a dream. yah! I think I'll use the external filter and save the internal one in case my parents ever let me get another tank.

 

[Colin_T]

you could run both filters and if you do manage to get another tank, you can transfer the smaller filter straight into the new tank and not have to wait for it to cycle. This means you get fish in the new tank a lot sooner

 

[Eines]

oh, forgot about that. That's a great idea.