I changed my powerhead twice now because the last one was jammed.. My current powerhead pumps 1200liters per hour. My tank is less than 200liters so that makes more than6 turnover rate but my tank is overstocked and the filter cant clear the tank upto my satisfaction. So I believe its the filter media that's not enough?
Powerhead or Filter Media?
- Thread starter BenSow
- Start date
That depends on how much of your filtration is mechanical and how much is biological. I used to wonder why there were always particles drifting around in my tank. Took awhile to get to the bottom of it because, as good as aquarium books are about explaining the biological cycle, they only lightly mention mechanical filtration! So even with great bio and water flow, you'll still need to add a filter sock, some nylon filter floss or other pad that will clog. I know, counterintuitive to simple maintenance, huh? Since you're already running a powerhead, what I'd do is tie a paint strainer bag over the outflow. Keep an eye on it and turn it inside-out every week to rinse it. Or if you're a pretty-tank kind of fellow, adding another filter that is set up just for mechanical filtration would, I think, be a good option.
I have a powerhead that has a sponge on the intake, it is amazing the nasty crap that i wash out of it. Between that and the HOB filter they keep the water pretty clear.
Lol I have NO biological filtration... I use sponges which I'm going to replace soon. I'm using a top filter. Yeah, you've never heard of it its pretty common in asia. It's like a mini sump on top of the tank. I think I'll DIY a filter but I have no idea where to place it. So can I DIY a filter that is a combo of mechanical and biological? I'm asking this because its weird after many months of keeping my fish they are growing and just recently algae was starting to thrive
What you are refering to is probably a hang on back filter. Benifical bacteria will grow on any surface, bio media just has i high surface to mass ratio to give a dense efficaent place for them. You tank has probably cycled, the gravel and sponges are covered in this good barcteria. As mentioned algea is growing form the nitrates as a result of the cycle.
I would try to replace the sponges one ata time. If yo replace all of you filter media (even thogh it just mech.) you will throw out a lot of bacteria and cause a mini cycle.
The best thing to do is wash out the sponges in some old tank water or something that is not chlorinated so you don't kill the bacteria.
On my filter hooked up to a power head i use the sink to clean it because i have a HOB filter loaded with biomedia and this plus my gravel house more then enough bacteria.
I would try to replace the sponges one ata time. If yo replace all of you filter media (even thogh it just mech.) you will throw out a lot of bacteria and cause a mini cycle.
The best thing to do is wash out the sponges in some old tank water or something that is not chlorinated so you don't kill the bacteria.
On my filter hooked up to a power head i use the sink to clean it because i have a HOB filter loaded with biomedia and this plus my gravel house more then enough bacteria.
dude i said top filter and looking at your answer yeap you've never heard of it... Thanks though so do I need to add a biological filter?
I'll post a diagram of top filter for you to enlighten you of the filters used in asia... But for monster tanks we prefer to use sumps. Canisters are usually used on planted tanks
Here you go, a top filter
The box on the left side is the powerhead while on the top its the filter chamber with sponges and i add some gravel too. The thin aroow shows intake and the thick arrow shows output.
The box on the left side is the powerhead while on the top its the filter chamber with sponges and i add some gravel too. The thin aroow shows intake and the thick arrow shows output.