What Heater To Use???

[ExPeNsIvE AdDiCtIoN]

If someone has to do a complete cleanout of their filtration system on a weekly or bi weekly basis then,
1 they don't have enough filtration whether it be mechanical, biological, chemical or a combination of all three.
2 They are way way overstocked.

Well, you are right on 1 account, I absolutely am over-stocked. But as far as not having enuff filtration? Nope, I got enuff. If a filter is effective, and your fish poop a lot, it will in turn pull out a lot of poop right? Can't hate on the filter for doing a REALLY good job at what it was designed to do. Speaking of fish waste, My G Tile (freshwater Moray) will make full pencil sized poops, yup, Just like a #2, haha, no pun intended, well, ok, there was

 

[zennzzo]

If someone has to do a complete cleanout of their filtration system on a weekly or bi weekly basis then,
1 they don't have enough filtration whether it be mechanical, biological, chemical or a combination of all three.
2 They are way way overstocked.

OK where do I start...
ANY filtration that is doing it's job is going to get "dirty"...
I am not too sure what you mean by a "complete cleanout".
I was saying to rinse the prefilter and the pads in tankwater so you don't destroy the beneficial bacteria.
By removing the larger waste particulate before it has to be processed by the bio-media only makes good sense. Not only will it allow the bio media to process more of the dissolved organics, a clean prefilter allows more water to pass through the filter and be processed... So the longer you wait being LAZY and not cleaning the pre filters, it is just that much more that the filter cannot do...

If you do a little servicing sooner, then overall the filtration will be more efficient and you don't or won't have to do this "complete cleanout" that you are talking about...

I am one of those people that do not believe in "replace engine" lights either...

I like to do oil changes when the oil is still oil and not that black thick crud with the metallic shimmer to it... call me crazy but I see no reason to suffer loss from something preventable...

so why would I run a filter on electricity if I not going to get my moneys worth...rinsing your prefilters in water that you are removing from the tank weekly to lower your nitrAtes is a small price to pay for insuring the filters are running at peak efficiency...
basically that water is going down the drain or on the plants anyway
Why wouldn't you use it again??!?!

I'm still not understanding your thinking...Rhodes, what kinda tank and system do you run?

 

[Pharaoh]

I'm pretty much sold on titanium heaters and temperature controllers. I've given up on multiple heaters. If I do use them, I would buy a Jager.

 

[ExPeNsIvE AdDiCtIoN]

OK where do I start...
ANY filtration that is doing it's job is going to get "dirty"...
I am not too sure what you mean by a "complete cleanout".
I was saying to rinse the prefilter and the pads in tankwater so you don't destroy the beneficial bacteria.
By removing the larger waste particulate before it has to be processed by the bio-media only makes good sense. Not only will it allow the bio media to process more of the dissolved organics, a clean prefilter allows more water to pass through the filter and be processed... So the longer you wait being LAZY and not cleaning the pre filters, it is just that much more that the filter cannot do...

If you do a little servicing sooner, then overall the filtration will be more efficient and you don't or won't have to do this "complete cleanout" that you are talking about...

I am one of those people that do not believe in "replace engine" lights either...

I like to do oil changes when the oil is still oil and not that black thick crud with the metallic shimmer to it... call me crazy but I see no reason to suffer loss from something preventable...

so why would I run a filter on electricity if I not going to get my moneys worth...rinsing your prefilters in water that you are removing from the tank weekly to lower your nitrAtes is a small price to pay for insuring the filters are running at peak efficiency...
basically that water is going down the drain or on the plants anyway
Why wouldn't you use it again??!?!

I'm still not understanding your thinking...Rhodes, what kinda tank and system do you run?

ZENNZZO, I'm gonna have to agree with you sir. Who woulda thought that thinking with a side of reason would be a tasty dish?

 

[rhodes_96]

OK where do I start...
ANY filtration that is doing it's job is going to get "dirty"...
I am not too sure what you mean by a "complete cleanout".
I was saying to rinse the prefilter and the pads in tankwater so you don't destroy the beneficial bacteria.
By removing the larger waste particulate before it has to be processed by the bio-media only makes good sense. Not only will it allow the bio media to process more of the dissolved organics, a clean prefilter allows more water to pass through the filter and be processed... So the longer you wait being LAZY and not cleaning the pre filters, it is just that much more that the filter cannot do...

If you do a little servicing sooner, then overall the filtration will be more efficient and you don't or won't have to do this "complete cleanout" that you are talking about...

I am one of those people that do not believe in "replace engine" lights either...

I like to do oil changes when the oil is still oil and not that black thick crud with the metallic shimmer to it... call me crazy but I see no reason to suffer loss from something preventable...

so why would I run a filter on electricity if I not going to get my moneys worth...rinsing your prefilters in water that you are removing from the tank weekly to lower your nitrAtes is a small price to pay for insuring the filters are running at peak efficiency...
basically that water is going down the drain or on the plants anyway
Why wouldn't you use it again??!?!

I'm still not understanding your thinking...Rhodes, what kinda tank and system do you run?

I run fx5s and sumps with 50-100 micron dacron sheets in my sumps as pre filter to the bio media. Currently 5 tanks 7 fx5's and 5 sumps and about 1300 gallons. If I had to clean every filter out on weekly basis on every tank I would give up the hobby. I probably on average change the dacron sheets in the sumps once every 3 months, and the fx5's about every 3-4 months. My nitrates are always around 5ppm, my stocking level of the tanks is normal.


Every week to clean a filter out , that is remove media wash media in tank water, change pads etc,. Don't you find this excessive ?. Isn't the whole idea to minimise this process and keep maintenence down ?

The filter or filters may be doing their job if they get dirty quickly, but what I am saying is, if the filtration is at a stage where it needs to be cleaned out on a weekly basis, then you could benefit by having additional filtration and take the load of the current filtration, which extends the time in between filter cleaning. Overstocking the tank increases maintenance.

 

[bigblue22]

Under tank heater- provides greater circulation instead of "cold/hot spots." Plants love them as well.

 

[ExPeNsIvE AdDiCtIoN]

I run fx5s and sumps with 50-100 micron dacron sheets in my sumps as pre filter to the bio media. Currently 5 tanks 7 fx5's and 5 sumps and about 1300 gallons. If I had to clean every filter out on weekly basis on every tank I would give up the hobby. I probably on average change the dacron sheets in the sumps once every 3 months, and the fx5's about every 3-4 months. My nitrates are always around 5ppm, my stocking level of the tanks is normal.


Every week to clean a filter out , that is remove media wash media in tank water, change pads etc,. Don't you find this excessive ?. Isn't the whole idea to minimise this process and keep maintenence down ?

The filter or filters may be doing their job if they get dirty quickly, but what I am saying is, if the filtration is at a stage where it needs to be cleaned out on a weekly basis, then you could benefit by having additional filtration and take the load of the current filtration, which extends the time in between filter cleaning. Overstocking the tank increases maintenance.

yes, it is true that cleaning my filters this much is quite bothersome... But under-stock an aquarium just because I don't wanna be lazy? For shame! I would rather do a lot of work to keep up the stock I like rather than make it easy on myself and not have the enjoyment of seeing all the fish I wanna see everyday...