Filter preference

[Killybeys]

Filter preference

I was just curious as to what people prefer to use in their tanks to keep water/bacteria in check. I personally have 3 different kinds of filters: I have a canister and over the back in my 120, over the back in my 75 gallon tank, And a submersible one in my 10 gallon. Not really sure which is the best. Would love some feedback to see what everyone is using.

 

[Anonymous]

Re: Filter preference

30 gallon sump 1150 gph return on a 140 gal
AC70 HOB on a 30 gallon
Small canister filter on a 9.5 gallon.

They all have their practical application but I am partial to sumps. I may at some point work my 30 gallon tank into my sump system That's running under my 140, and possibly DYI a mini sump/refugium for the 9.5 gallon . There is so much that can be done with in a sump. Easy to maintain, manipulate, add-subtract buffers in an instant. To rinse a filter is just pull and return. No shutting down, nothing to dismantle, easy and convenient. No other filter system can match the amount of filter media that can be stuffed in a sump.

 

[Nick_87]

Re: Filter preference

I run a Eheim Pro II 2028 and Fluval FX5 both filled to the max with substrat pro and ceramic rings on my 75. I Love the canisters but would like to make the switch to sump some day.

 

[dwarfpike]

Re: Filter preference

Sumps, then HOB and sponges, then fluidized sand filters, then plant filters, finally internal filters and only if you head a gun to my head, canisters.

 

[Killybeys]

Re: Filter preference

Hate to sound like a noob, but ive always wondered; Whats a sump? ive heard a lot of people talk about them.

 

[PokeSephiroth]

Re: Filter preference

Killybeys: A sump is basically any kind of vessel that holds extra water, which is used for multiple things.

Having a sump, basically increases the amount of water you have, so if you had a 55 gallon tank, and used a 40 gallon sump, that gives you 95 gallons of water (as far as volume is concerned).

With a sump, you can put all your aquarium accessories in there, so that they don't take up space in your main tank (heaters, thermometers, various filters, filter media, etc)...

The tricky part is getting water to go from the tank TO the sump, this can be done by drilling holes in the tank, one for water to flow out of the sump and into the tank, and one for water to flow from the tank, and back to the sump.

USUALLY sumps are located beneath the main tank, that way it's out of sight, and allows for water to travel down from the main tank, to the sump... then a water pump is usually needed to pump back the filtered water from the sump, back to the tank. Etc.

Back to the topic: I prefer Sump, Canister, HOB, and Sponge filters, in that order. I s'pose using a combination of having a HOB on a sump, or even sponge filters in a sump would be more beneficial while having a canister filter in the main tank... overkill? Maybe. Maaaaaaaaybe.  :bounce:

 

[MRTom]

Re: Filter preference

I am all for canisters and sponge filters, sometimes using HOBs when they make sense. I wanna try a sump someday, but all my tanks are too small to warrant it (I just setup my largest, a 40 gal, yesterday.)

As with all else in life, pick what makes sense for your setup and carry on! I imagine that if I ever setup a sump, I would have a really hard time stopping myself from filling it up with more fish

 

[Chiisai]

Re: Filter preference

When I first started I only used HOBs with a few sponge filters throughout. Eventually I bought a few canister filters for my 50-65gals again with sponge filters. Now that I am planting in all my tanks I am finding I only need a sponge filter. Works out great because the sponge filter grabs excess particulate matter, while the plants and inverts eat up excess food and ammonia. Not to mention sponge only means I am not dumping money into filter pads or media.

Before anyone reads this and try's to go all sponge filters I should mention that I do 5-20gal changes on all my tanks 2x a week. So if folks change their water less often... might not work out as well.

 

[Anonymous]

Re: Filter preference

A sump is a tank with dividers that direct water through filter medias.


Above is my 30 gallon sump. It filtrates my 140 gallon tank. From the left water is gravity fed/siphoned from the main tank and dumps in a column where water passes through a pre filter , then biological filtration before hitting the bottom of the sump. This is where the nick name wet/dry or trickle comes in because the water flows or trickles through corse bio media. This in turn allows for optimum air to water surface contact. This also allows for optimum bacterial growth because the media is exposed to air. The 2nd and 3rd compartments have more dense sponges catching and polishing the water from smaller debris with added biological filtration. This is also where I add natural buffers such as crushed coral to maintain an elevated PH. I also add fertilizers , and have a CO2 Reactor in this freshwater planted set up. Lastly there is a return pump that pumps all the water back into the tank.

 

[Killybeys]

Re: Filter preference

Killybeys: A sump is basically any kind of vessel that holds extra water, which is used for multiple things.

Having a sump, basically increases the amount of water you have, so if you had a 55 gallon tank, and used a 40 gallon sump, that gives you 95 gallons of water (as far as volume is concerned).

With a sump, you can put all your aquarium accessories in there, so that they don't take up space in your main tank (heaters, thermometers, various filters, filter media, etc)...

The tricky part is getting water to go from the tank TO the sump, this can be done by drilling holes in the tank, one for water to flow out of the sump and into the tank, and one for water to flow from the tank, and back to the sump.

USUALLY sumps are located beneath the main tank, that way it's out of sight, and allows for water to travel down from the main tank, to the sump... then a water pump is usually needed to pump back the filtered water from the sump, back to the tank. Etc.

Back to the topic: I prefer Sump, Canister, HOB, and Sponge filters, in that order. I s'pose using a combination of having a HOB on a sump, or even sponge filters in a sump would be more beneficial while having a canister filter in the main tank... overkill? Maybe. Maaaaaaaaybe.  :bounce:

Ah well now i see why so many people go for that kind of setup. Id love to get one set up on my big one once i have the means. Thanks Pokesephiroth!!

 

[Killybeys]

Re: Filter preference

I am all for canisters and sponge filters, sometimes using HOBs when they make sense. I wanna try a sump someday, but all my tanks are too small to warrant it (I just setup my largest, a 40 gal, yesterday.)

As with all else in life, pick what makes sense for your setup and carry on! I imagine that if I ever setup a sump, I would have a really hard time stopping myself from filling it up with more fish

I would also have a super hard time keeping fish out of it haha.

 

[Killybeys]

Re: Filter preference

Chiisai: Id love to have everything set up like that but i work all day for 6 days out of the week which prevents me from doing constant water changes.

FishNAbowl Ive seen that setup before in pictures but now i finally understand why they call it a wet/dry filter. Also did you have to drill into your tank at all? cause i want to start one of these but id hate to make holes in my tank and have to use one of these forever.

 

[Anonymous]

Re: Filter preference

FishNAbowl Ive seen that setup before in pictures but now i finally understand why they call it a wet/dry filter. Also did you have to drill into your tank at all? cause i want to start one of these but id hate to make holes in my tank and have to use one of these forever.

No drilling, I'm using a HOB overflow like this.

 

[Killybeys]

Re: Filter preference

FishNAbowl Ive seen that setup before in pictures but now i finally understand why they call it a wet/dry filter. Also did you have to drill into your tank at all? cause i want to start one of these but id hate to make holes in my tank and have to use one of these forever.

No drilling, I'm using a HOB overflow like this.

Thats cool, i need to switch over to a sump then. Also did you buy your set up? or did you make it?

 

[PokeSephiroth]

Re: Filter preference

fishNAbowl: That's awesome what happens when there's a blackout, does the siphon still stay there, so that when water gets pumped back into the tank, it still drains water from your tank?

 

[Killybeys]

Re: Filter preference

Getting back to the topic: I bought a little underwater filter for my feeder fish tank. and i have to say i really really like it. Completely quiet while not taking up tons of space. i could see how it would get in the way if your going for a natural look. Id love to see how well it filters in a big planted tank.

 

[MRTom]

Re: Filter preference

What brand/model did you get? Got some pics on how it fits in the tank?

 

[Killybeys]

Re: Filter preference

What brand/model did you get? Got some pics on how it fits in the tank?

I believe its just cheap 10 gallon top fin filter. but it has amazing water flow. It almost blows the fish around in a 10 gallon tank.

 

[Anonymous]

Re: Filter preference

Thats cool, i need to switch over to a sump then. Also did you buy your set up? or did you make it?

The sump and overflow I found on CL used. Water pump and plumbing purchased new, then put it all together.

fishNAbowl: That's awesome what happens when there's a blackout, does the siphon still stay there, so that when water gets pumped back into the tank, it still drains water from your tank?

Over flows are designed to auto restart if the power goes out. There is also measures I have taken to insure this. There is little things I have done to make the system quieter, and make it auto start incase I have lost all syphon . 1st , a one way valve is installed in the water return line. This helps prevent any back flow siphoning . 2 reasons for this. 1, if you turn power off and the retun line is under the surface of the water in the tank water will back syphon into the sump (bad idea). Another way to eleviate this is having your water return just barely under the surface. And 2, the one way valve holds water in the water return line for an instant restart, (the pump works hard on initial start up if you have a long line & may have a delay).
2nd; I am using what's called an air lifter in my HOB overflow. This makes easy restarts if I loose all syphon. This also sucks out any air that may accumulate in the over flow over time. Any air in the overflow may slow down the system. The combination of these two insures no loss in priming, and an instant restart after any power loss.

Getting back to the topic: I bought a little underwater filter for my feeder fish tank. and i have to say i really really like it. Completely quiet while not taking up tons of space. i could see how it would get in the way if your going for a natural look. Id love to see how well it filters in a big planted tank.  

You can hide just about anything behind a big plant

 

[PokeSephiroth]

Re: Filter preference

fishNAbowl: Wow, that's neat!! I gotta see your tanks in person, so I can fully understand everything you explained

Killybeys: thats a pretty neat filter! Seems to me like Internal Filters are great for mid-sized tanks (basically anything that's not considered nano sized. hehe)