Filter media set up for hob emperor 400

[Zanzag]

I would say keep up with that maintainance routine. Its ambitious and will only benefit your fish. The more the floss is changed the less crud trapped in the system

 

[Finthusiast]

Right, I will keep it up and thanks for the additional inputs!

 

[lp85253]

I would suggest getting a second filter at some point as well. That'll work for now but HOB filters never really keep a tank clean IMO and that ones pushing pretty close to minimal filtration. If you need any advice on what others to get message me and Ill gladly point you in the right direction. Or at least purchase a cheap powerhead on ebay for like $7 to stir up the bottom of your tank

filters don't "keep tanks clean".. they enable the tank to sustain life long term by keeping the tank cycled.. if you are depending on the filter to keep the tank clean you are doing it wrong..

 

[lp85253]

I would just crush some lava rock and use some floss in it .. Been using similar setups ( AC hob filters) with most of my tanks and never had problem with water quality , but i change 30-50% of water weekly.

this is how to keep tanks clean.. water changes...

 

[Blakewater]

this is how to keep tanks clean.. water changes...

*sigh* yes but an adaquate filter allows for media to support aerobic and anaerobic bacteria to assist in keeping water healthy and allow for amonia and nitrite control as much as possible. Thats why I dont use a 15g sump for my 550 gallon aquarium.

 

[Blakewater]

filters don't "keep tanks clean".. they enable the tank to sustain life long term by keeping the tank cycled.. if you are depending on the filter to keep the tank clean you are doing it wrong..

And leaving debris sitting in your substrate is a great way to give your tank a nitrate bomb

 

[Finthusiast]

Indeed, I just made a post questioning about best methods of cleaning substrate. Mainly questioning how to clean algae off substrate. I havent used a gravel vac at all yet so its real dirty with fish poop and covered in algae. Definitely going to be buying a gravel vac ASAP to keep from any toxic troubles. Thanks for the replys any more advice is welcome and desired!

 

[lp85253]

i clean the substrate .. i don't *have to clean it* as *often* because i do big water changes .. when you get to the point you have done it for 20 years , you get to figuring it out a little.. btw when i do clean substrate it's generally a bit of a swirl in the bottom of the bucket rather than a muddy mess ,,, so , that pretty much eliminates the "nitrate bomb " worries..

 

[lp85253]

*sigh* yes but an adaquate filter allows for media to support aerobic and anaerobic bacteria to assist in keeping water healthy and allow for amonia and nitrite control as much as possible. Thats why I dont use a 15g sump for my 550 gallon aquarium.

sigh all you want .. you don't know my system and obviously i have been doing something right .. the need for overkill media is a disease on this website .. you guys spend way too much money on filtration for my taste , but hey , more power to you.. all i know is i have low nitrates(less than 20ppm) and zero ammonia about 98% of the time (we all know that occasionally bad stuff happens) .. how you gonna argue with that? i also understock rather than overstock, that's another reason i don't have many issues...

 

[lp85253]

Indeed, I just made a post questioning about best methods of cleaning substrate. Mainly questioning how to clean algae off substrate. I havent used a gravel vac at all yet so its real dirty with fish poop and covered in algae. Definitely going to be buying a gravel vac ASAP to keep from any toxic troubles. Thanks for the replys any more advice is welcome and desired!

make no mistake ..i'm *not advocating * doing no gravel vacs .. what i do advocate ..1) use less substrate than you think you "need".. a thin layer of gravel (1".. max) and enough hiding spots for your fish in the way of rocks(i use floating plastic plants for hiding spots as well).. adequate flow to keep detritus from settling as much.. decent filtration( you don't need an fx6 on a 75 , it's a waste, imo .. you can do an ac 110 and a sponge filter or throw a 2nd hob on the tank )..and above all don't overstock.. it leads to all sorts of issues that stress fish... add in 30-50% wc's twice a week , there you go , you will only need to gravel vac about 1-2 times every couple of months and get 2-3 months of time without screwing with filter media...