Enough filtration?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
R

RobertP

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Aug 15, 2005
9
0
0
Spring, TX
www.bowfishtexas.com
Howdy fellas,
I have a 140gall tall tank with African cichlids with a rock/cave system that I created. I think the water could look a little clearer. I got the tank new a couple years ago and it came with a wet/dry rated for 150/175 gallons. I cannot remember what size my pumps are but I am thinking they are either 400 or 600 GPH and I have two of them. I also have a HOT Magnum in the sump (yes I modified the intake and outtube so it isn't as loud) to help clean the water. I am not convinced that the wet/dry filter cleans the water all that well. If I turn off the Magnum it does not seem to be as clear as with the Magnum. However I still think it should be clearer than it is. Maybe I need to get a new filter pad?

Oh and wanted to ask do snails hurt anything. I have been finding them in the wet/dry filter when I clean it and I am guessing they are in the drains in the back because I never see any in the tank. I figure they are back there eating algae.
 
The only problem I ever had with snails, other than to damn many of them, was I had one jam an impellor spinner once in a small filter.
 
Try to add the magnum or other canister filter, directly to the tank? This should help polish the water, before debris gets trapped in your pre-filters or wet-dry. Clean your pre-filter regularly, and make sure your wet-dry dosn't have a bad build-up. The wet-dry is a great source of biological filtration, but if it is not set-up properly, it will not 'polish' the water as well.

Do you test your water regularly? Are you getting 'cloudy' water in phases? There could be a 'mini-cycle' happening in your tank over and over, depending on your filtration, water change, and feeding regimen.

If the snails are out of hand, they can put off alot of waste. This can cause a buildup of wastes in your wet-dry, as well as 'mini-cycles' after they all come out at night and decide to chow down on the debris in your wet-dry. Use lettuce at night to lure the snails out, then pull the lettuce regularly to keep the snail population down. You probably don't see the snails in the main tank, because the cichlids will eat em.

I would just make sure your filtation units are well cleaned, and free of build-up. I would also think about adding an extra canister filter to the main tank itself.
 
After reading a little more about the snails they are trumpet snails and dont look like they are a big deal other than I might be feeding a little too much. The article also said my yellow labs would eat them so I am not too worried.

I had thought about adding another filter to the main tank...just might have to give that a try. I have been a little lax about testing the water since every time I check it is right on the money but need to be a little more diligent about that. Thanks.
 
repair, do you have any pre-filtering going on before the water go's through that bags? And on what kind of aquarium (gallons, with how mutch fish) are you using that?
And finally, is you water clear?

I'm not trying to bug you...just intrested in the filterbags and how they work!

Thanks Loubard
 
I don't have a pre filter on this tank but the tank is acrylic so I was able to make my intakes so that you can put the foam pre filters on them.....I'll take some photos tonight. It can flow 1500+ gph and the tank is 300 gal.

There are 23 6" Phenochilus and 4 5" peacocks and 1 9" pleco and a 5" fron and a 5" african knife fish....I did loose a rope fish that went into the bag and died so if you have something like it in the tank you should put the foam pre filters on.

I also run this set up on my 265gal and it has twice the bio load and it stays clear...untill you feed them and then it is a little cloudy from the food.
 
Okey, thanks pictures are always good!

So do you thinks these bags do enough mechanical filtration to set them up as mechanical filtration. And what kind of micron do your bags have?

I was thinking 2 of these bags, separated intake 500 gallon an hour each, as mechanical filtration for a 216 gallon tank. I know I have to clean them often, as I would go for the finest type (so I will have a clear tank) but that's okey.

Do you think it would work out or should i go for two kinds of bag's with different micron sizes (first rough, and then a fine one).

The tank is going to house, a black arowana, 3 bichir, 1 ropefish, a lima shovelnose, and a WB dat. But it will take time for them to be in my tank together, because I don´t have the money to buy them in a short period of time. And besides, I live in Holland and all but the lima are pretty rare around here so it would take some time to find them to.

Cheers Loubard
 
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