Upgrading Fluval U2

[Twinklecaz]

Hi guys

I'm thinking of upgrading my Fluval U2 to the U3 purely because I think my Platys produce quite a high bioload and it also may help with the few dodgy water stat readings I've had.

My tank measures 59x30x32 cm (that's the actual glass not the stand)and is 15 us gallons. Do you think the U3 would be ok for my tank or will it be too big? Is it much bigger than the U2 does anyone know?


Bear in mind also that I have Gouramis who don't seem to love strong flow so that would need to be a consideration too. Don't want them to be blasted! lol!

 

[Mo1959]

Fluval U1 Underwater Filter: H 16.5 x W 13.5 x D 10cm
Fluval U2 Underwater Filter: H 22 x W 13.5 x D 11cm
Fluval U3 Underwater Filter: H 29.5 x W 13 x D 11cm
Fluval U4 Underwater Filter: H 35.5 x W 13 x D 12cm.


This is the dimensions of the u series as quoted by Pets at Home. It is mainly the height that is different. May just be a tight fit in your tank.


Maureen

 

[Twinklecaz]

Hmmm yeah it would be wouldn't it. Specially as I have sand. Raaaa!

Thanks

 

[james_fish]

Personally I think a U3 would easily be enough for a 15 gallon. I only had one U4 in a 55 gallon! Then I bought another So filtration wise, yeah. Just hope it fits in there!

James.

 

[Twinklecaz]

Well technically the U2 is more than enough. I think it says up to 120 liters (or something like that) and mine is only 57ish. I just though no harm in bigger the better but if it won't fit then it kinda defeats the object ie making mine and my fishs' life easier lol

 

[james_fish]

Well technically the U2 is more than enough. I think it says up to 120 liters (or something like that) and mine is only 57ish. I just though no harm in bigger the better but if it won't fit then it kinda defeats the object ie making mine and my fishs' life easier lol

What LpH is it just out of interested? I know the U4's are 1000?

James.

 

[Twinklecaz]

I think it's 500. THINK. I'll have to check when I get home lol.

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

Hi guys

I'm thinking of upgrading my Fluval U2 to the U3 purely because I think my Platys produce quite a high bioload and it also may help with the few dodgy water stat readings I've had.

My tank measures 59x30x32 cm (that's the actual glass not the stand)and is 15 us gallons. Do you think the U3 would be ok for my tank or will it be too big? Is it much bigger than the U2 does anyone know?


Bear in mind also that I have Gouramis who don't seem to love strong flow so that would need to be a consideration too. Don't want them to be blasted! lol!

Could the "dodgy water stat readings" be down to overfeeding? Size of an eye per fish per day is sufficient, excess either rots in gravel/filter (makes ammonia) or is eaten by greedy fish and then excreted (ammonia).

Have you recently vacuumed the bottom of the tank and/or rinsed the U2 fiter sponges gently in extracted tank water?

 

[Twinklecaz]

No don't overfeed. I know it looks that way, it baffles me too but I don't. I give them a tiny pinch once a day that is gone in about 2 mins. Some days I don't feed them atall. Rinse my filter media in tank water regularly (if anything I'd worried I was doing it too much) and seem to end up vaccuming the sand prob 4 or 5 days out of 7 due to the fact my Platys make such a mess of it.

I have wondered if this is the problem....do you think I could be trying to make it TOO clean?

Mind you stats seem to have settled down again for now *fingers crossed*.

Oh and James it's 400 LPH.

 

[james_fish]

Could be overcleaning the tank. You've not removed any gravel or ornaments or anything recently?

James.

 

[Twinklecaz]

No but some sand gets sucked out when I syphon obv. I usually put some back in about once every 10 days-2 weeks or something.

 

[james_fish]

Can't be that then. How long you had the filter running for?

James.

 

[Twinklecaz]

*thinks* I started cycling at Easter (so beginning of April) and I got my fish in June. Interestingly, I've stopped using TPN and Easy Carbo the last few days to give my sick Honey G a break from any chemicals and my test results are crystal clear again. I know people say that TPN gives fake Ammonia readings but someone told me that it's actually a genuine Ammonia reading which of course WOULD produce Nitrites too. Which may explain my problem if I've been overdosing (possible).

Mind you the clear readings could also just be due to the fact I've done medium-big water changes every day for the last week. It's very confusing but I'm gonna do a trial and error thing with the chemcials and see what happens.