Top Filters

[thecoolguy]

hey guys - i own 2 of them....(see post in General Aq. "20gal stocking")

and wanted to know if anyone else has these things?

they are dirt cheap - but i want to know if they are good?

http://www.aquariumproducts.com.au/category83_1.htm

ps - i have a 20gal with 2 of these..pushing 65x turnover per hour --- they are big boxes.....

 

[Tongue33]

I have never heard of these until right now they look like they would work out as well as any HOB... THough I would speculate that they would be more maintinence.

 

[thecoolguy]

i would venture to guess that these work better than your average hob filter....

the box is quite large (for a 20gal up to a 50gal) -- and can hold a lot of filter media - much much more than a hob filter or bio-wheel type filter --- my larger box can hold probably more ceramic media than a med sized canister

as for maintenance -- dang easy - open the top, take out media, change/wash/clean/etc.....

but i am amazed! no one else has these things?

 

[Wolf3101]

From a strictly utilitarian point of view they have a few advantages but they are ugly as sin and very difficult to hide. You could accomplish the same thing with a critter keeper and a powerhead.

 

[thecoolguy]

From a strictly utilitarian point of view they have a few advantages but they are ugly as sin and very difficult to hide. You could accomplish the same thing with a critter keeper and a powerhead.

ain't gonna deny that....it is pretty dang ugly looking at my tank from the top......2 huge boxes running almost the entire length and width of the top....barely have enough room for my light to peak through.....

but from a filtration standpoint....aren't they potentially excellent?

any members from asia got some input? not to single out....but they are by far the most accessible filter here in china....

 

[Wolf3101]

I prefur bio wheels for bio filtration but I wasn't kidding about the critter keepers. A set up like that would work well on a 40 breeder. The systems basicly a reverse sump.

 

[thecoolguy]

I prefur bio wheels for bio filtration but I wasn't kidding about the critter keepers. A set up like that would work well on a 40 breeder. The systems basicly a reverse sump.

really? a bio-wheel you believe will have more bio-filtration?

my big box has about 2-3lbs of ceramic media - which i can't believe would bio-filtrate less than a bio-wheel? plus the 2 boxes are turning the tank over 65 times (theoretically) per hour....

what do you think?

thanks for the input.....

 

[Wolf3101]

One of the more misunderstood elements of bio filtration is that it's NOT a set level. other types of wet dry systems have a difficult time distributing the water evenly so they are slower to react to changes in the bio load. It's not just Additional bio load that you have to worry about either...removing several large fish from a tank can reduce the available ammonia to the point of starting a cascade failure that wipes out the entire collony.

Because of how they work and the even distribution of water to air bio wheel filters are the most efficiant bio filter for thier size you can have.

 

[thecoolguy]

One of the more misunderstood elements of bio filtration is that it's NOT a set level. other types of wet dry systems have a difficult time distributing the water evenly so they are slower to react to changes in the bio load. It's not just Additional bio load that you have to worry about either...removing several large fish from a tank can reduce the available ammonia to the point of starting a cascade failure that wipes out the entire collony.

Because of how they work and the even distribution of water to air bio wheel filters are the most efficiant bio filter for thier size you can have.

good points...something to definitely think about.....

i am planning on taking stocking to the next level on the 20gal...by adding 4-6 cory's.....

20gal...definitely not monster fish, but i think i can achieve monster stocking.....total will be

4 - neons (.5")
4 - tiger barbs (.5")
4 - red danios (.5")
1 - common plec (5.5")
2 - yellow labs (.75")
4-6 - cory's (about .5" if they have them)
4-6 - undecided....will see what the local store has today....