Quick filtration question

[justonemoretank]

Oh, okay. Well, like I said, you could do a powerhead or bubbles... maybe someone else will have some ideas on that, as well.

 

[tcarswell]

Canisters are probably going to be a lot more quiet than an HOB. The water coming out an HOB sounds quiet until it's night, and you're trying to go to sleep LOL then it can sound like Niagara Falls.

I have always liked Marineland Canisters, though many on here don't suggest them. No one ever explains why, and even go so far as to say "Don't get Marineland" and don't even give a reason! My guess is that folks are attached to the filters that they own, and don't want to consider any other, which is fine. I have Rena XP3s and XP4s, as well as the Fluval FX5 (the bane of my existence).

I've got 3 C-360s. They're a great filter and I've only had one issue with one of them, and Marineland sent me a replacement part for free. They also come full of media, which you're not going to get with Fluval and Rena -- these companies think you should spend even more money on the media after buying the expensive filters. They're so quiet that you don't even know that they're on. I have to check the top of the water for movement in order to know it's running. The C-360 would get you pretty much where you need to be in terms of GPH, and, as I said, this is a reliable and easy-to-use filter.

That's good to know ive been considering a c-530

 

[tcarswell]

That's one of the things that HOBs are good for, really, and canisters aren't. The surface agitation is what my AquaClear 110 so loud. On my 180, where I run three canisters, I use a bubble wand hooked up to an air pump. The bubble wand is buried under some rocks, so you can't see it. On my 125, where I use 2 canisters, I have a powerhead for surface agitation. I also have a powerhead on my two 75's, both of which run canisters. Don't bichirs breathe air? I'm not really familiar with them, but I thought they do. If this is the case, I wouldn't worry about surface agitation.

They still need plenty of surface agitation. Great input in this thread btw.
All tanks need some surface agitation or oxygenation as I am sure you know to maintain or create a bio filter.

 

[justonemoretank]

I was under the impression that the filter itself was doing enough to keep the bacteria alive, but not necessarily the fish, in the way of oxygenation. There is some surface agitation with a canister, but nowhere near as much as with an HOB or when a bubble wand or power head is added.

As for the C-530, if I can get another tank in the house, that's what it's going to get. I really, really want one but can't justify buying it right now, because all of my tanks have plenty of filtration!

 

[Wretched5705]

Also, i wanted to have this tank be a planted tank, do aquatic plants need oxygen like land plants in order to photosynthesize or do they just take the nitrites and out of the water and use light to grow?

 

[justonemoretank]

The aquatic plants work the same as land plants. So, they're taking in carbon dioxide, which is exhaled by the fish, and putting out oxygen.

They do need a certain amount of light (this varies by plant), and in some cases, some plants will need added CO2 in order to thrive.

 

[Wretched5705]

awesome you've been a great help! thank you so much!

 

[justonemoretank]

You're welcome. I think by looking for info in the specific areas (bichir and planted tanks) you might have more luck figuring out the perfect components of this system, too. I'm still struggling to keep the algae out of my planted tank, so I am by no means an expert there!

 

[Acura_RSX]

just one has given some great advice. and i agree with canister. i have a 50 gallon in my room that had an ac 110 and a smaller ac running on it first when i got it. which lasted about 2 weeks. after 2 weeks of having a hard time getting to sleep i got my fluval 404 .. which is more then enough filtration for a 50 gallon. so for a 40 you could get away with a 304 oe 305 .. not positive on their gph but im pretty sure they will do the trick for a 40 gallon.

another point to keep in mind with the hob's being loud .. some people will say they arent as loud if you bring the water level up closrer which is true. but for bichirs you need to keep some air on top of the tank so can't bring up the water level as much to dull the noise. and when that noise starts goin when your trying to sleep. it's hell. my gf wouldnt even sleep at my house until i got the canister for quiteness.