Things I have observed with HOB filtration.

[Kris P Bacon]

Admittedly, I am kinda lazy with WCs.

I have a 29g with HOB filtration. I used to change the filter and 5 gallons, once a month (I know, shame on me, but tank is lightly stocked) Used a gravel vacuum to get some poo off the bottom (light gravel)

Last time I changed the filter, I noticed the flow was poor, the intake tube was full of gunk, filter caked with gunk. It occurred to me that after topping the tank, much solids were still in suspension in the water. No wonder the filter quickly gunked up, probably in the first 12 hours. Brand new filter, clear intake tube and high water flow = much crap, quickly sucked in.

So after 2 days, I pulled the filter, filthy. I hosed it off, clean again.

My tank is in a window, but it's the only place I have to put it.

So, I have come to some conclusions.

A. HOB sucks because it does not remove solids from the bottom
B. Putting a new filter in as soon as you top up, clogs it very quick with suspended solids (I suppose you could wait to add new filter until it settles)
C. BUT, cleaning the filter a couple days later, removes more gunk
D. About once every 5 days, spray the filter clean with a hose, reinstall, agitate the bottom to stir the solids so the filter can do half it's job of MF.

Thoughts? My opinion? HOB sucks at removing settled solids.

 

[The Morning]

Take this with a grain of salt as I switched from HOB to canisters years ago but a filter is only as good as the person who cares for it and the tank. I think this is the same for any filtration. I do weekly water changes and vacuum the substrate every time. I rarely have waste settling in the bottom of my tank for long periods of time. I also ensure that the currents are constantly stirring up anything that does settle. I would suggest that you do weekly water changes, vacuum the substrate and add powerheads to circulate the water if you are noticing waste at the bottom of tank.
My tank care only takes roughly 1 hour per week and I clean my filters once a month on a rotating basis, have 3.

 

[Kris P Bacon]

Is canister filtration like a powerhead? How much would it cost to get a 29 g set up? I only have 3 small comet goldfish (less than 2 inches) and one 4 inch hopolo cat and a crayfish.

 

[The Morning]

A power head is quite literally a fan that is mounted inside the tank. I have mine angled down towards the substrate. It churns everything up until it is captured by the filters.
For a tank that size I would suggest two smaller water changes per week where the substrate is vacuumed. I have a 36 and I do 10-20% water changes twice a week. Where as my larger 150 I change minimum 75% of the water weekly, sometimes twice a week.

 

[Zanzag]

Part of the accumulated detritus issue is gonna be comets are just plain messy fish. More frequent vacuuming is gonna be the only real solution.

 

[Kris P Bacon]

Part of the accumulated detritus issue is gonna be comets are just plain messy fish. More frequent vacuuming is gonna be the only real solution.

Started with a native tank, that I overstocked. Quickly saw the folly in that.
I have a 150g outdoor pond with a big rescue comet. Poor guy was actually in a 10g. Body (without tail) is about 8 inches.

 

[Kris P Bacon]

A power head is quite literally a fan that is mounted inside the tank. I have mine angled down towards the substrate. It churns everything up until it is captured by the filters.
For a tank that size I would suggest two smaller water changes per week where the substrate is vacuumed. I have a 36 and I do 10-20% water changes twice a week. Where as my larger 150 I change minimum 75% of the water weekly, sometimes twice a week.

View attachment 1389613

That 150 must be a chore. I use a 5 gallon container for wastewater and top up. My window is not that easy to open. But it would be sweet (for such a big WC job to run the vacuum hose right outside and have well water and bring the water hose, right in the window.

 

[Zanzag]

my guys not a comet, but yeah some people keep them super cramped.

 

[The Morning]

Not a chore at all. I love putzing around with the tank after the family has gone to bed. I think the 150 requires less care than the 36. Other than water changes very little work. I use a python for water changes, at least the filling portion. I siphon directly into a floor drain in the basement. While it does take a while I clamp the python to the tank and watch tv while it is draining.
I think if we are going to make the decision to be fish hobbyist we need to care for the animals properly. I do the best I can to keep the tank clean and the water healthy. It is the least I can do for the benefits I garner from the hobby.

 

[celebrist]

Not a chore at all. I love putzing around with the tank after the family has gone to bed. I think the 150 requires less care than the 36. Other than water changes very little work. I use a python for water changes, at least the filling portion. I siphon directly into a floor drain in the basement. While it does take a while I clamp the python to the tank and watch tv while it is draining.
I think if we are going to make the decision to be fish hobbyist we need to care for the animals properly. I do the best I can to keep the tank clean and the water healthy. It is the least I can do for the benefits I garner from the hobby.

I agree on all points, especially bigger tanks being easier and quality of life counts