help with getting super clear water

[pjsmetana]

...
A UV, with separate pump( 9watt light/100gph pump)cleared the tank in 24 hours.
I pulled the unit off of the tank and have never had a problem since.

The Green Killing Machine!
http://www.amazon.com/Green-Killing...9B2W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1302267224&sr=8-1

A bit over priced IMO, but works wonders! There are several brands of these out there.
Like this Coralife brand version
http://www.amazon.com/Coralife-Turb...8?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1302267348&sr=1-8

 

[DMD123]

does the uv run 24/7?
adding 36w is a lot of money...haha
although the ac110 at 13w and replacing carbon every month might end up being more =/

Yes I run mine 24/7.

I chose the 36w because it will be running on an FX5. You probably could use a 18w if power use was an issue. Once the tank is clear even a 9w would act as a clarifier and keep it clean looking. Even stores like Lowes have UV clarifiers in the pond dept of the garden center. You should be able to find something without breaking the bank.

 

[KaiserSousay]

So, just add a filter sock...

Everybody saw it the first time.
What kind of advice is that to someone who dosen`t have a sump.
Socks are cool, but they also need to be in the right micron range if it`s particulate your trying to remove.
Don`t think I would want a 10 micron sock on the end of my overflow.
Enough with the sock.


Even stores like Lowes have UV clarifiers in the pond dept of the garden center.

Just where I got mine.
Grossly mis-marked.
Paid $9 for the thing.
Came with a huge frog that would act as the return to the pond.
I don`t use the frog.

 

[Desire]

I heard that the uv filter also kills the good bacteria. Don't know how much, if any of that, is true but I would still be wary about it....
But considering people use it without any ill effects other than the noise problem I have heard about it might be a good option.

 

[KaiserSousay]

I heard that the uv filter also kills the good bacteria. Don't know how much, if any of that, is true but I would still be wary about it....
But considering people use it without any ill effects other than the noise problem I have heard about it might be a good option.

Depending on your flow to wattage, yes it will kill any bacteria.
Not a thing you would use on a fresh tank that you are trying to cycle.
Once the tank has become cycled a UV can be used without worry.
With good mechanical filtration, the UV can take your water to an incredible level of clarity.

 

[pjsmetana]

Depending on your flow to wattage, yes it will kill any bacteria.
Not a thing you would use on a fresh tank that you are trying to cycle.
Once the tank has become cycled a UV can be used without worry.
With good mechanical filtration, the UV can take your water to an incredible level of clarity.

+1!!!
Smartest thing said on MFK today!

UV = awesome for an established tank. Next is Mechanical Filtration. I keep my Rena XP4 about 90% filled with mechanical filtration. 20 and 30 micron screens, floss, carbon, and lots of layers of pond filter mat. To keep the mechanically clean water biologically clean (thus maintaining that cycle) you need a good biological filter. This is why I like the sumps (wet/dry). My sump is a 20g (setup over my tank, but this is irrelevant) with 10g of bio balls in the drip area and a bed of ceramic noodles in the submerged area. The top of the sump, the drip tray, has a layer of pond filter mat. Both the XP4 and the Sump have FilterMax III prefilter sponges on the filter intakes.

Someone mentioned Filtersocks. Great stuff in the right application. IMHO, a sponge filter should be on the intake of every filter. They are way better than anyone gives them credit for, and they protect your entire filter system. My 26g's water clarity would be different every day until I put a sponge filter on the intake of the crappy Aqueon55 HOB thats on it. From that day fourth, the tank has been crystal perfect clear and biologically stable. Sponge filters are amazing and extremely underrated. Best of all, they cost about the same as a bag of peanuts and a Miller Lite at a ball game.

 

[sonycrr]

thanks for the help everyone!
ive decided to put filter socks filled with carbon in one of my eheim 2026 and add more mechanical in there as well...the eheim 2026 is a breeze to clean compared to the eheim2080, so chaning out the carbon is the 2026 once a month isnt that bad...if this doesn't get it the carity i want, next step uv!

 

[GhostShrimpMan]

Everybody saw it the first time.
What kind of advice is that to someone who dosen`t have a sump.
Socks are cool, but they also need to be in the right micron range if it`s particulate your trying to remove.
Don`t think I would want a 10 micron sock on the end of my overflow.
Enough with the sock.

Actually they can be put over a canister filter's output.

thanks for the help everyone!
ive decided to put filter socks filled with carbon in one of my eheim 2026 and add more mechanical in there as well...the eheim 2026 is a breeze to clean compared to the eheim2080, so chaning out the carbon is the 2026 once a month isnt that bad...if this doesn't get it the carity i want, next step uv!

Carbon is not really needed, the sock itself will do wonders.

Someone mentioned Filtersocks. Great stuff in the right application.

And, to top it off someone who has tried it before.

 

[kamikaziechameleon]

I have 1 AC 110 on my 110 and it looks cleaner than when I used to have the top end cascade and my marineland canister filter. AC 110s are magic as far as OTB filters are concerned.

 

[T1KARMANN]

i would add 1 or 2 eheim 2252 internal filters and use the standard filter sponges in the bottom 2 modules and then put polyfilter in the top 2 modules please don't confuse polyfilter with standard poly wool polyfilter is 100 x better that carbon and super clear water guaranteed