I'm running 2 AC110's on a 180g with 3 powerheads %50weekly water changes. I've got 2 Festae and a unknown type of Synodontis from Petsmart that is a bit larger than a featherfin (elongated and has spread out medium size spots). Also an inch thick silica sand bottom. Right now I have both AC110's loaded with biomedia... would I be better off with only one bag? I know only so much bacteria can grow depending on stock. So any overkill would be much better used as sponge media. Also, the Syno has been in with them since fry but now the pair is getting pretty hard on him so he might not be a factor in the next few months. Thanks.
How much Biomedia?
- Thread starter BillyBlanco
- Start date
You could continually remove a tablespoon of bio media every week and then test the water parameters to zero in on how much bio media you actually need. But it is pretty much impossible to just throw out an amount of needed biomedia from the tank configuration.... BUT, you don't need that much bio media.
Okay, I was just concerned because the size of the bio-media is more than the size of the fish. I know the gph per tank size rule, but does that apply to a 180 gallon tank with 2-3 small fish in it? I've seen a couple members on here have nothing but sponge filters in tanks much more heavily stock (granted they do water changes every day or 2). I clean my sponges every week and they don't have much waste. Not much waste on my sand because I have one Maxi-jet 900 on fan mode at 1000gph, one on powerhead blowing 230gph, and a AC70 powerhead all creating a clockwise whirlpool. I manually vac the small amount of waste every week from the couple places it catches on my driftwood. My ammonia is always 0ppm. I have thought of buying another AC110(for the turn over rate) but the sponges i have now dont really get dirty and bio isnt gonna lower ammonia any more than zero. But there could be a bigger picture I'm missing here. I know most members on this site have a bit more knowledge and experience than me.
Also, ive tried a canister, Had a xp3 in this mix as well, but 2 blue latches broke off of the plastic "latch-holder?" on the base part... now it wont seal, so it poors water everywhere. Also, every time I cleaned it I ended up pouring water all over my carpets and spending 10-20min trying to re-prime it. I've heard of people saying they are much easier but IMO it is a huge hassle that has to be done less frequently.
Also, ive tried a canister, Had a xp3 in this mix as well, but 2 blue latches broke off of the plastic "latch-holder?" on the base part... now it wont seal, so it poors water everywhere. Also, every time I cleaned it I ended up pouring water all over my carpets and spending 10-20min trying to re-prime it. I've heard of people saying they are much easier but IMO it is a huge hassle that has to be done less frequently.
Anarekist concerning the turn over, what would be a good sign of not having enough? debris in the bottom of the tank? filthy filters? both? I ask because the Festae, (although it seems like they don't grow...lol) will grow slowly so I could run into problems when they do get bigger. In this case id like to add another AC110 (i know, I know i should really get use to canisters). Would 3 AC110's be enough for 2 Festae ~12-16in. I'll have to get rid of the syno as they grow anyways they don't tolerate him now but over 10in they could probably kill him or each other in minutes...lol.
Are the water params fine? Then don't need any more bio. Turnover rate means little to biological filtration. Increasing the turnover would only help the mechanical filtration which I'm sure is fine considering stocking of this tank.
Bderick67 my only concern really was could i do without one of the bags and give it a bit more on the mechanical end? or would playing with it be futile and dangerous? I could find 2 more AC110's cheap on the market i seen 2 going for 60 but its like an hr away. AC110's come up a lot anyways I could just wait till they get bigger which is like watching grass grow...lol