What Filter? And Sand From Where?

[bagu]

hey guys =]

question number 1

i have in my 20gallon a 3 stage inbuild rear chamber filter:

one 12inch sponge, that is 5 -6inches thick
one 4inch sponge, that is 5-6inches thick
ceramic rings
bioballs
carbon
filter floss

alongside that i have a UGF, the tank has gravel as a substrate

Thing is I love having 2 filters; i know you shouldn't leave the tank, but it gives me leeway for maintenance and also keeps the water crystal clear one also serves as a backup for the other. the tank is 6 months-7months old x] its also nicely planted with Co2 and ferts (liquid Co2 and tropica nutrition +)

what filter could replace the UGF if i changed to sand? something that is effective and wont destroy the tank with flow ^^

second question

where is the best place to buy sand? is it argos?

THANKS GUYS!

 

[Forestpisces]

Dunno about the filter questions but as for sand argos is cheap but needs ALOT of washing.

I just get myn from my LFS it's more expensive but i know it's safe and doesnt take anywhere near as long to clean.

Good luck

 

[Geoff1991]

It only took me about 15 minutes to clean enough sand for my 15G tank.

 

[shelaghfishface]

hia
my favorite filters are fluval internals ( the plus range not the U range) or tetratec externals, both have filters that would do an extremly good job on your tank, leaving it crystal clear ( also room for floss)

your tank is about 90 lires? ( im no good on converstion) you could use a fluval 3+/4+ or even one of the smaller tetratecs-ie,ex600 ( tho u would be at over 7x turnover on a tank that size- not that that matters i just wonder about the flow)
i have used Argos sand, its not an awful lot of effort to clean when you consider the results, i usually fill a bucket a third full then run warm water into it stir it with my hand, then let it settle and empty the nasty stuff off the top then repeat untill the water is clear ( maybe 4-5 times)

go for it, its always nice to have a change

shelagh xxx

ps, hope your feeling a lot better now

 

[Liam50]

when it comes to cleaning sand its sooo easy, fill your bucker 3/4 full of sand then put a hose pipe in the bottom (make sure right at the bottom) this stirs the sand up (saves you stirring it with your hand) also tilt the bucket a bit so you get the grubby water at the top running off. i left mine for around 10-15 minutes then done.

 

[bagu]

hey guys!

thanks for the info; ill look at my LFS for sand then =]

hia smile.gif
my favorite filters are fluval internals ( the plus range not the U range) or tetratec externals, both have filters that would do an extremly good job on your tank, leaving it crystal clear ( also room for floss)

your tank is about 90 lires? ( im no good on converstion) you could use a fluval 3+/4+ or even one of the smaller tetratecs-ie,ex600 ( tho u would be at over 7x turnover on a tank that size- not that that matters i just wonder about the flow)
i have used Argos sand, its not an awful lot of effort to clean when you consider the results, i usually fill a bucket a third full then run warm water into it stir it with my hand, then let it settle and empty the nasty stuff off the top then repeat untill the water is clear ( maybe 4-5 times)

go for it, its always nice to have a change smile.gif

shelagh xxx

ps, hope your feeling a lot better now smile.gif

Hey Shelagh =]

I'm felling better now thank you means alot
hehe, the tank is approx. 90L if not a tad under; thing is it is the orca range so if i wanted an external would i have to modify the hood? Ill take a good look at the Fluval internals and the external tetratecs The only concern is flow but im sure ill mod it somehow to lower the flow hehe

I told Mum about changing to sand and she said you can do it, but told me how my tank is settled and she doesn't want to to mess up the process etc; so ill take a look for a fluval and let it mature in the tank then go to sand =D

I CANT WAIT hehe

thanks Shelagh x

 

[ALW]

Fluval 2 or 3

 

[bagu]

Fluval 2 or 3

2 or 3 plus? or just a 2/3?

 

[ALW]

A Fluval 2+ or a Fluval 3+ (either) or a Tetratec 600. Depends on what brand you want?

 

[Goodygumdrops]

Wouldn't recommend sand with a ugf,it'll clog it.

 

[saltynay]

FBF I am just about to start building one, est article I have found so far on it : http/www.calgaryaquariumsociety.com/Arti...Bed_Filter.html

 

[bagu]

Wouldn't recommend sand with a ugf,it'll clog it.

hence why i am trying to find an alternative to it when i remove it mate

FBF I am just about to start building one, est article I have found so far on it : [URL="http/www.calgaryaquariumsociety.com/Arti...Bed_Filter.html"]http/www.calgaryaquariumsociety.com/Arti...Bed_Filter.html[/URL]

thanks for that mate! ill give it a read

 

[saltynay]

thanks for that mate! ill give it a read

If you do decide to go down that route my calculations are here

 

[Goodygumdrops]

Duh,sorry,just saw the bit about you running two filters I've got fluvals in my tanks too and would recommend them,give out a bit of flow when maxed out but nice and quiet when you turn them right down (I turn mine down at night).I've got the two and three plus.

 

[bagu]

thanks for that mate! ill give it a read

If you do decide to go down that route my calculations are here

thanks mate! ill check that out too! im youtube ing it aswell ^^

Duh,sorry,just saw the bit about you running two filters I've got fluvals in my tanks too and would recommend them,give out a bit of flow when maxed out but nice and quiet when you turn them right down (I turn mine down at night).I've got the two and three plus.

hehe happens to the best of us

thanks mate! do they hold good media? thanks mate

Bagu