OHF Filters in Asia, US?

[thecoolguy]

hello all,

so after visiting the mega LFS's here in China and seeing as how 80% of the aro tanks were utilizing ohf (over head filters) to keep their tanks pristine and fish healthy and expensive.....i decided to do a little research - especially cuz i was currently using some basic versions of what the crazy people do.....

it seems as if aro purists are really into these things! (as can be seen when visiting arofanatics.com) --- basic powerhead up to stacked filter boxes driven my gravity back down to tank.....

they seem to believe that due to the fact that the boxes are in the open air - they can achieve slightly superior filtration in comparison to sumps/wetdrys -- and something about cuz the water is going up then down, instead of down then up - it helps with the purifying process.....

so, the question, does anyone here run a ohf in the US - or have you seen any for sale (the stackable glass/plexi/acrylic kind that is?) at your local lfs?

yes, they are quite aesthetically NOT good....but supposedly achieve some serious results......

please feel free to chime in!

 

[Miguel]

I run them in Lisbon, Portugal ( ok, bought them in Hong Kong ). A powerhead pumps water up, water then travels through the media in the box and fall per gravity back into the tank.

first time I hear that is is more "purifying" to have the water going first "up "and only then "down", but one always learns new things.

They are sumps that work on top...I like them although, admittedly, they look awfull on top a a tank...

I even have one working on top of a sump....

 

[islander671]

I'm not in the US either, but i do use them in Japan and they are pretty common on smaller tanks, larger tanks still seem to be using sumps. personally the only difference i can see is that the sumps can hold more media (unless of course you have very many stacks on your OHF). i think comercial type OHF are great on smaller applications, but traditonal sumps would have my vote on larger applications.

 

[cockroach]

i use them here in taiwan on my 145gal and my 100gal.

they do an excellent job and maintanence is a breeze. i dont mind the asthetic part as i look more at the fish. lol.

what i really like about them is as i add fish i just add another level for more bio-filtration. my 145gal currently has 5 levels.

i have about one pund of ceramic rings per fish, and also have sponges and black bio balls.

imo:
PROs
easy maintanence
diversity
ability to clean water, depending on meadia.

CONs
large
can be noisy
some people dont like the look

 

[frasertheking]

think most ponds have these filters and look at there bioload at lower turnovers

 

[HunterX]

I have a version of that kind of filter on my feeder quarantine tank.
I built it myself out of a graduated cylinder ( I work at a laboratory equipment company).
It seems to work well, but its too ugly for any of my main tanks.

 

[KurseD]

i use them in combination with canister filters as a postfilter. i just hook them up to the return hose from the canister. they are very easy to maintain, espically if you use multiple layers. you can easily see if your media needs changing (if you have the clear type), you can always add different types of layers (mine is currently 4 tiers high and 3 tiers long), and you can easily change your floss without disturbing your BB (as long as its on the upper levels). however its location is my main problem, they can be very noise if your water line is well below the water return chute, many consider OHF as nitrate factories,it takes up alot of "light space" and is a pain to work around when catching fish or rearranging decor. unless you have a very wide footprint, you will most likely only have room for one light source.

 

[cockroach]

Here are pics of my two. the 4 tiered one actually has five, one is dark and cannot be seen clearly in the pics. it is on my 145gal, and does an awesome job.

the brown one is on my 100gal and i took some pics from above

 

[rottbo]

I ahve a home made one that works great

 

[thecoolguy]

cockroach.....that is awesome! that is some serious media holding capability.....

ill tell you what - they are a little unsightly to begin with - but after seeing them over and over again, and knowing their capabilities - i am starting to actually like how they look!

i love the idea of having the cannister outlet flow into a stack of them....

good stuff!