best aquascaping filters (and heaters!)

[convict360]

Picked this up today guys, sponge corner filter. I actually wouldn't mind this in the tank, would hopefully look quite good tucked into a corner; I'm gonna grab a wavemaker as well at some point, to get some circulation into the tank

That sponge cost me £6 lol, or maybe 8 dollars equivalent to you guys across the pond; amazing value for superb filters...

 

[convict360]

ok so i've done a bit of reading, and confused myself a bit more on this; specifically co2 loss due to turbulence.

Are sponge filters especially likely to create co2 loss?

Thinking I might just cut my losses, stick with the internal and remove all airstones/sponges; I have back up's in other tanks i guess.

Fat Homer
Manu8__too
xxUnRaTeDxxRkOxx ,
H HumanBean

 

[Fat Homer]

^ basically i guess it comes down to gas exchange, so as the air from the pump is being pushed through the sponge filter and into the tank, it will also remove some of the dissolved Co2 as well...

 

[convict360]

^ basically i guess it comes down to gas exchange, so as the air from the pump is being pushed through the sponge filter and into the tank, it will also remove some of the dissolved Co2 as well...

It makes sense, kinda wish I'd thought of that beforehand; also makes sense why canisters are preferred in planted tanks, due to the low air exchange...

 

[Manu8__too]

The higher the surface movement, the more Co2 you will lose. However, you can compensate for this by turning up your needle valve to increase gas output. I have quite a bit of surface movement in my 20G because I like a lot of flow and circulation. I have to really crank up my Co2 in order to hit the levels I want. It's all about making small adjustments until you hit the "sweet spot" with your Co2 levels.