Update - Matten Filters and Stock List
- Thread starter JasonsPlecosCichlids
- Start date
You can use either. I don't use water pumps because it's another part of the electric bill, another part that can break down and they aren't cheap. I run one air pump to all three tanks versus 6 individual air pumps. Plus when I do water changes, when the water starts to get below a certain depth it slows down so water isn't splashing everywhere, with water pump, unless you turn it off, water will still be gushing out, if you have to do maintenance you need to turn them off, I simply do what I need to do and not worry about anything. The air pump I have now will run that 660 gallon no problems whatsoever, its running 750 gallons now and still bleeding off air plus the length to the second and third tanks, then the height to the top of the tank and then back down 29 inches to the jet lifters, it does very well.
I like the idea of the air pump for the same reason you do. My concern is water movement for the fish. My guess is that you use the air pump to achieve the lower turnover recommended for the filter and the use a powerhead in the main part of the tank to ensure sufficient current for the fish.
I finally found the site with the formulas for calculating size of sponges and needed turnover so I have to play with that still.
What is the noise level for you? I think I read that once you moved to the jetliners from Swiss tropics the noise and efficient was much better. I'm guessing your air pump still makes noise much louder than a canister or sump.
I finally found the site with the formulas for calculating size of sponges and needed turnover so I have to play with that still.
What is the noise level for you? I think I read that once you moved to the jetliners from Swiss tropics the noise and efficient was much better. I'm guessing your air pump still makes noise much louder than a canister or sump.
Yes the Jet Lifters made it dead quiet almost, used to sound like what was boiling. I keep them for backup purposes till I buy some more Jet Lifters. I'm not sure of the rate of GPH that the pump is pushing to each sponge, but it's been a year and it seems to be doing excellent. I cleaned the sponges once in 8 months I believe it was and that was one the pleco tank and you know how messy they are, but since I was in the mood I cleaned the rest and they really didn't need to be cleaned, still looked new on the outside and the water levels on all three tanks were the same. The noise from that commercial pump is loud, I used it on the 220 where I used the 925 pump, here soon I will have an Alita on that tank and the basement should be almost silent, then going to buy one for the 75 which is in my office, currently it's on an airpod backup system. I do use two wave makers in the pleco tank, one in the big pleco tank and one each in the 220. The output from the jet lifters provides plenty of current.
Sounds awesome. Once I do so more research I will try to post something. Looking at the 660g aimara tank, he was running about 800g per hmf filter which is only 2.5g of turner for the filter. He then added a powerhead for some additional flow, which I think got him around a total of 5x turnover.
2.5x turnover is a just a radically different idea for most folks. Most folks are aiming for at least 5 with many going up to 10.
I really love the idea of the air pump because not only is it cheap but the wattage is so low you can probably good up a UPS to keep it running in an outage versus thats impossible with most filters that folks are running.
2.5x turnover is a just a radically different idea for most folks. Most folks are aiming for at least 5 with many going up to 10.
I really love the idea of the air pump because not only is it cheap but the wattage is so low you can probably good up a UPS to keep it running in an outage versus thats impossible with most filters that folks are running.
Just wanted to share the links I found. The first is an english "translation" of the second. Essentially provides a calculator for determining flow. For a theoretical 750g tank I would need about 2,000 sq in of poret foam so two corner filters of about 30x36 in size and would need to move about 1,500g/h through them.
According to the calculator the radius of the corner filter would be 41in but that seems huge so I am probably doing something wrong. My calculations were based on a 750g tank that is 10ft long x 4 ft deep x 30in.
https://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/threads/hamburger-mattenfilter-hmf.79104/
http://www.deters-ing.de/Berechnungen/Berechnungen.htm#Mattengroesse
According to the calculator the radius of the corner filter would be 41in but that seems huge so I am probably doing something wrong. My calculations were based on a 750g tank that is 10ft long x 4 ft deep x 30in.
https://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/threads/hamburger-mattenfilter-hmf.79104/
http://www.deters-ing.de/Berechnungen/Berechnungen.htm#Mattengroesse
I contact Stephan Tanner and ask him what size he recommends for a 750 gallon.
Since the sponges are inside the tank, in constant contact with the water, and trying to replicate nature, going as fast as you can through the sponges usually isn't the best idea. The organisms need time to build their colony, etc. so the right flow is what is needed. 10x is def not needed, it will only clog the sponges in a short period of time, it will be as if you had a canister on the tank instead of sponges.
If you get a big enough UPS that will probably work but for another alternative, you can get battery operated airpods made my penplax. I have mine running now, they are electric and battery, when the lights go out the batteries kick on and the filters keep on filtering.
Since the sponges are inside the tank, in constant contact with the water, and trying to replicate nature, going as fast as you can through the sponges usually isn't the best idea. The organisms need time to build their colony, etc. so the right flow is what is needed. 10x is def not needed, it will only clog the sponges in a short period of time, it will be as if you had a canister on the tank instead of sponges.
If you get a big enough UPS that will probably work but for another alternative, you can get battery operated airpods made my penplax. I have mine running now, they are electric and battery, when the lights go out the batteries kick on and the filters keep on filtering.
Thanks. After playing around with the calculator I think I pretty much came to the conclusion that you need a radius of 22in which works out to the size the of the surface area that the calculator provided.
Ultimately, you do lose a chunk of space in the tank, what I am trying to figure out now is how large would overflow boxes be and would they take up less space in tank than a matten filter. My guess is yes.
Ultimately, you do lose a chunk of space in the tank, what I am trying to figure out now is how large would overflow boxes be and would they take up less space in tank than a matten filter. My guess is yes.
They would take up less for sure. I guess that all depends on how easy or hard you want the setup to be. With the sump there is a lot of plumbing involved, the over flows, the constant leveling of the water so water over flows, threat of flooding etc. Unless of course you have experiences with all that. With this type of filtration, the heater can be hidden just like in a sum, more media or a K1 system can be added behind, lights go out the sump won't work but if the sponges are in place a backup system is easy to implement, etc. I like simplicity and ease of maintenance. It does take some room but it's actually not that much.
