Bio Filter Media

[Fish Fantasy]

I have a biological filter that sits on top of the tank and the filtered water falls into the water from the top, i put about 2 cups of bio rings 1 cup on each side of the filter with the charcoal, wool etc.
Is that amount of bio rings enough for a 250L tank or should I increase the bio media?

[Reafer]

u should take the AC out if u have plants , i did it and my plants are doing much better

[Fish Fantasy]

I don't have any real plants being a community tank plants don't ever stand a chance, 1 month and their in shreads! Even if i feed them veg flakes, spiralina etc, they still seem to love giving me extra work. Kids i tell you!!!!

[Dolphin]

what type of filter is that?

when you say bio rings, do you mean the "ceramic" white/off-white cylindrical pieces?

[Fish Fantasy]

I'm trying to put in pictures with dimensions but I'm battling.

[veegal]

file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/NickyL/My%20Documents/My%20Pictures/UFO%20Tank.bmp

Erm....me thinks something went wrong here :hmmmm:

[SauRoN]

On the subject I recently read on Fluval's page that you should replace ceramic rings every three months.

I have never replaced mine, and haven't had a problem, so I'm wondering what would be the reason for this?

[Fish Fantasy]

I also haven't changed mine and it's been 5 months the only thing is i don't know whether i have enough in the filter to carry the load.

[veegal]

I've never replaced mine either - rinse them out in some of the water removed during water changes and that's it......?????

[Dolphin]

I'm trying to put in pictures with dimensions but I'm battling.


give me the brand name and model number and I'll try to check it out quickly...

[Fish Fantasy]

Ok! The tank is made by Auqa-H20 and the model is the UFO-700.

[Fish Fantasy]

http://www.aquah2o.co.za/products/productdetails.aspx?product=1745

[Dolphin]

Okay, checked it out quickly on aqua h20 site...

it appears to be really a trickle type filter which would best be suited for bio balls as the water probably simply falls through the media? I'm assuming you using a standard size cup which is equivalent to 250ml? If thats the case then you have in total +/- 500ml of filter media in there...

I recommend Eheim Substrat Pro. I use 1L for 300L of aqurium water. I would suggest you use this media in both compartments of the filter with a layer of filter wool above it where the water comes into contact first which will remove large particles in the water and detritus. Eheim substrat Pro is perfect for bio filtration! My only concern is that you will only have 500ml of it in your filter so you will have to monitor the water parameters and keep stock to a mininum. If you stock heavy then I would recommend you upgrade to an external cannister filter that can hold all the correct filter media in the right quantity for your tank!

HTH

[Fish Fantasy]

Yes the tank is heavely stocked. What do you think of the fluval external cannister filter? Or do you have a good recommedation for me?

[Dolphin]

Yes the tank is heavely stocked. What do you think of the fluval external cannister filter? Or do you have a good recommedation for me?


Fluval FX5? This filter rates well against the Eheim Pro III. Disadvantage with the Fluval is the reduced filter media capacity due to the heavy layer of foam/sponge media around the wall of the filter.

If price is a question, then the Eheim Classic 2217 is excellent value for money and will probably be cheaper than the FX5.

[SauRoN]

Fish Fantasy mine doesn't exactly split like that, it all shares one compartment, but I just have the base covered in ceramic media up to the water line, and then I have filter mat on top to stop the initial debris.

Has been working just fine for the past couple of years without problems. I just buy some Akwa filter mat and cut out a new piece every other month.

In between I just wash it out with the hose as I drain the tank.

[Henk Hugo]

Dolphin you cant really list the FX5, Pro3 and 2217 in the same sentance.... 3 totally dif filters

[Dolphin]

Dolphin you cant really list the FX5, Pro3 and 2217 in the same sentance.... 3 totally dif filters

Henk, if you read FishFantasy's post you'll note that he's not specified which fluval... I've simply taken the current most popular fluval and compared it with the eheim in its category...

The filter I've advised is the 2217... there's simply not one sentence in my post.

[Fish Fantasy]

Don't stress Henk I knew what Dolphin was telling me, and the filters look and sound excellent but they look pricey so what i'm going to do is have a look at a range of the filters he suggested, the 2217 sounds great but looks terrible so i'll get more specs and more info so i can ask more questions and work form there . Thanks guys much appreciated will be asking some more questions later.

[Kuhli Loach]

Try the Tera-Tech range, from 600l/h to 2400l/h

[Fish Fantasy]

Hi Kuhli! You don't possibly have a link for them i'm battling to find it on the internet.

[Kuhli Loach]

Fish Fantasy – I do not have a link for you, but I run two of these, a 1200l/h and a 700l/h. Hold loads of filter media in separate baskets, very quiet and good value for money. But that is only my opinion.

[Fish Fantasy]

Thanks a million Kuhli will try and find some specs on them, i need a quite filter because my tank is in my bedroom.

[Kuhli Loach]

What would you like to know about the filter, maybe I will be able to help you.

[Fish Fantasy]

I'm not sure what questions to ask because this is still new to me, so i'm in a catch 22 right now and i've had a look at other filters and Sh%t (Sh@%t) cannister filters are expensive! I might have to look for a second hand.

[Kuhli Loach]

Look at the DIY section - there is some info on a DIY canister filter - or look at there links: http://www.petfrd.com/forum/articles.php?action=viewarticle&artid=87 or http://www.randystacye.com/diy_canister_filter.htm hope it helps.

[Fish Fantasy]

Thanks but i'm a chick, i wouldn't know where to start. Looks like i'm going to have to save up for a while!

[Dolphin]

Fish Fantasy, do you mind posting prices on the different filters you might have got a quote on...

[Fish Fantasy]

Fluval 405 = R3000-00
Eheim Canister Filter 2217= R2500-00
Some others at = R2000-00
These are more than i paid for my whole 300lt 1m Tank, it's scary!!!

[Kuhli Loach]

LPS in Pretoria that is selling one of the Eheim Filters for R900-00, it only does 500l/h, but might be worth adding it to your current filtration system. Tetra Tech 1200l/h for R1300-00.

[Fish Fantasy]

R1300-00 and R900-00 are better pricing than R3000-00 i nealy had a heart attack, maybe it would be best to go look around and actually have a look at the pricing while at the LFS. I'll go through to our sponsers this weekend and have a look maybe i'll even find the Tetra Tech filters.

[Dolphin]

remember that you ideally want 3-4 times total tank water volume turnover per hour

so you would be looking at a filter with a rating of 750 - 1000L per hour.

[Fish Fantasy]

Ok cool! but with a rating like that will the water flow push the fish all over the tank?

[Dolphin]

Ok cool! but with a rating like that will the water flow push the fish all over the tank?


No, but it might have a continuous stream of water depending on what the outlet is.

If the outlet is a spray bar, then it should not cause any disruption of the tanks decor or push the fish around...

[Fish Fantasy]

Fab! Then i'll make sure it's a spray bar! Thanks for all you advice!