Best way to move debris into the water column?
- Thread starter qguy
- Start date
I use hi flow hob filters ( aquaclear ) and powerheads placed low in the tank pointing at about 45 degrees away from either back corner, imo, it really keeps the debris out of the substrate and allows the filters to pick it up...also twice weekly 50% wc's help....
I use circulation pumps that use magnets instead of suction cups. They only come off if you really put some force to them.
I consider filters to be nothing more than nutrient storage units, and unless you clean them often, adding more stuff to the filter does nothing but recirculate this invisible nutrient load, because in the filter is really still in the tank.
I consider what you can't see, to be often times more dangerous to the health of the system, than the non-aesthetically pleasing stuff you can see.
I prefer vacuuming up the debris, thereby removing it, and old water (and fish urine), and replacing with new.
Pushing more stuff in the filter, is to me, like sweeping stuff under a rug.
I consider what you can't see, to be often times more dangerous to the health of the system, than the non-aesthetically pleasing stuff you can see.
I prefer vacuuming up the debris, thereby removing it, and old water (and fish urine), and replacing with new.
Pushing more stuff in the filter, is to me, like sweeping stuff under a rug.
I agree Harleyk, if you regularly clean the mechanical media, then sweeping under the rug is a bad analogy.
But if the stuff sits in the filter for a week or 2, then its more like peeing under the rug.
But if the stuff sits in the filter for a week or 2, then its more like peeing under the rug.
I know, out of sight is not generally out of the water, i can not gravel vac as the sand is too fine and the tank is relative large (250g). I added two 6 watt wave makers and even at 28 inches high the small wave makers had enough power and span to lift debris from the bottom and into the water column. I just need two more to cover the entire tank.
I absolutely agree, but for fun, let me spin this one step further
Unless you have a planted tank and/ or a drip system, in which case nature is simply taking its course.
Biodegradation, followed by nutrient uptake and wash out...
Hello; Some years ago I approached this question with a tiered tank substrate setup. I used a 20 gallon long. The basic description would be a series of levels from high to low with the HOB pickup at the lowest point. This took some modifications involving lenghts of glass to make the structure of the levels and to form a tunnel at one end of the tank. I also wound up modifying the HOB a bit. The setup worked well in so far as directing any detritus toward the filter pickup.There were some minor issues with the tunnel. Mainly it was having a fish I wanted to catch hiding in the tunnel. I think this can be addressed with a couple of foam plugs inserted before starting to chase a fish. After looking at the pictures, this may be the version without a tunnel.
My avitar is a picture of that setup. You can only see two of the levels.
The tank is sitting empty in my basement gathering dust. As I have just about finished re-doing the floor of my fish room and have my fish and plants in temp tanks, this may be a good time to set that tank up. I will be having to move tanks back in with new setups anyway.
I can attempt to take and post pictures of the tank if anyone is interested. I posted pictures of it some years ago on this site. Perhaps they still exist?