I've been lurking/contributing for a while and I need some real life help.
On my 90 gallon (only ~75 actual measured gallons) I am using one Cascade 1200 and a Hydor V sponge filter. I have clear water with my current bioload of several knifes, bichirs and tinfoil barbs.
I have used the suggested floss pads for the Cascade and have a bag of ceramic rings (not sure of ring bag volume, but was included with purchase of canister), along with the standard foam prefilter/bio filter. I have added a custom bagged stage of crushed coral (thanks Knifegill!) to raise my PH due to soft water conditions. I have cleaned the filter 2 times since my tank has been set up, each time the first few layers of floss were green, clogged and really not worth reusing-cheap enough to just replace, so I did.
My readings are most always within specs, with about 40-50 ppm nitrates at the end of 7 days when I change ~35-40% of the water.
I want 3 things from my set up.
Super crystal clean water-no fog when my black (night) light comes on!
Long maintenance intervals, ie like I keep hearing about Fulval's and Eheim's.
Lower Nitrate levels for less amount/frequent needed water changes
What can I add to my canister trays to achieve my main three goals?
Efimech?
Substrate Pro?
All these brand names throw me in one direction or another, I want to know what works, not what the manufacture states. Mechanical filtration from granuals baffles me? How does the media keep clear enough for 4 to 6 (or longer?)month cleaning intervals?
On a similar note, how EXACTLY does a clean out (ie: Eheim 2620 and 2260) function? As I want to add it to a custom sump/canister design filter already in use on another tank and I like the idea of a clean out without a total sump breakdown for cleaning/maintenance is a smart idea.
Thanks for any suggestions!
On my 90 gallon (only ~75 actual measured gallons) I am using one Cascade 1200 and a Hydor V sponge filter. I have clear water with my current bioload of several knifes, bichirs and tinfoil barbs.
I have used the suggested floss pads for the Cascade and have a bag of ceramic rings (not sure of ring bag volume, but was included with purchase of canister), along with the standard foam prefilter/bio filter. I have added a custom bagged stage of crushed coral (thanks Knifegill!) to raise my PH due to soft water conditions. I have cleaned the filter 2 times since my tank has been set up, each time the first few layers of floss were green, clogged and really not worth reusing-cheap enough to just replace, so I did.
My readings are most always within specs, with about 40-50 ppm nitrates at the end of 7 days when I change ~35-40% of the water.
I want 3 things from my set up.
Super crystal clean water-no fog when my black (night) light comes on!
Long maintenance intervals, ie like I keep hearing about Fulval's and Eheim's.
Lower Nitrate levels for less amount/frequent needed water changes
What can I add to my canister trays to achieve my main three goals?
Efimech?
Substrate Pro?
All these brand names throw me in one direction or another, I want to know what works, not what the manufacture states. Mechanical filtration from granuals baffles me? How does the media keep clear enough for 4 to 6 (or longer?)month cleaning intervals?
On a similar note, how EXACTLY does a clean out (ie: Eheim 2620 and 2260) function? As I want to add it to a custom sump/canister design filter already in use on another tank and I like the idea of a clean out without a total sump breakdown for cleaning/maintenance is a smart idea.
Thanks for any suggestions!
