did I get a bad filter?

[MrSpike]

So I am using a TopFin 10 in my 10g tank as thats what came with the kit. I was looking at the terta 10 and 20g filters and noticed that they not only have flow control, but also have a seperate mesh bag and pysical filter in addition to the carbon thing. All my filter has is a single bag you put in so when I replace that (in a month, right?) I loose most of my good bacteria, correct?

I am a little annoyed about this. If I need to I'll pay the $14 for the tetra 20 (unless there are better filters for around the same price) because with that I can replace just the carbon bag without throwing everything away.

[jm1212]

you should probably add another small filter to the tank to get the gph up to around 100.

you dont have to replace the filter cartridge until it falls apart.

[MrSpike]

you should probably add another small filter to the tank to get the gph up to around 100.

you dont have to replace the filter cartridge until it falls apart.

So no once a month replacement? I have been doing weekly rinses of the filter cartridge using the water I take out of the aquarium for the wc. Just keep doing that until it falls apart?

And as for the flow I'm glad it's where it's at, I don' think the betta likes it all that much. He plays in it every once in a while but spends alot of his time under the filter (where the water is calm) or hiding in the rocks and plants.

[OldMan1947]

There are a lot of good filters ut there that you could change to. The real issue is whether the one you have is keeping up with the biological loading in your tank and is keeping the water clear. If it is, no need to upgrade. If not, its time to go for one nominally rated for a 20G. Most filter manufacturers will rate a filter for a larger tank than most of us are willing to use it on. A good rule of thumb is that one rated for 10 to 20 might be large enough for a 10 but would likely be marginal at best on a 20.

[MrSpike]

There are a lot of good filters ut there that you could change to. The real issue is whether the one you have is keeping up with the biological loading in your tank and is keeping the water clear. If it is, no need to upgrade. If not, its time to go for one nominally rated for a 20G. Most filter manufacturers will rate a filter for a larger tank than most of us are willing to use it on. A good rule of thumb is that one rated for 10 to 20 might be large enough for a 10 but would likely be marginal at best on a 20.

So far things are clear but the tank is only a few days old (started on Saturday). I'm just wondering if it would be better to get a new one now while things are still new. If my water params stay good (I started the 10g with bio-spira and used established aquarium gravel and decorations) I wanted to add 3 more rasboras to get a lager group going. That and a few cherry shrimp or snails is all I was going to get for now. Down the road an oto for algae control but I wanted to wait on him. I'm just worried that if I get additional fish the filter will stop working well, plus that I'll loose all the good bacteria when I change filter media since there are no seperate media/sponge parts.

I was looking at the Penguin 100 or the Tetra whisper 20. The tetra is the same design as the topfin I have so I know that will cause alot of water movement, would the penguin cause less water movement? My betta would be appreciative... I had to turn off and remove my airstone because he (and the rasboras) were annoyed by it.

[mozart]

I don't think you should rush, but a second filter can come in handy in a variety of ways (quarantine; filter bag rots; alternate filter bag replacement; x-tra filtration always good).

[MrSpike]

I don't think you should rush, but a second filter can come in handy in a variety of ways (quarantine; filter bag rots; alternate filter bag replacement; x-tra filtration always good).

Could I get something like the penguin and just turn down the flow for now so I don't drive the betta mad?

[jpd1821]

I would look into adding an Aquaclear, all 3 stages of filtration are replacable seperately it has adjustable flow and the filter media is actually cheaper around me anyways.

[MrSpike]

So you think aquaclear is better? What I liked about the penguin is it looked like the water came straight down into the tank, this would minimize flow to help with my betta, especially if I run two filters until the new one can get established. Speaking of that, if I get a new filter just put the "old" media in that for a week or so to help get it going?

I also liked the idea of a bio-wheel since people seem to think they work but others are pretty high on the aquaclears... not sure.

[Cory Keeper]

If you want to keep your perfectly good filter yet change the carbon without removing all you good bacteria, use the Bio 3 Top Fin filter, its just like your current media but it has a nice little blue sponge that lets all your good bacteria live on so that way when you need a new filter element, you keep your good bacteria. I have the same thing, had to replace my filter because it got so clogged it wasn't funny, just replaced the mechanical part, left the biological aspect alone.

[imnotlistening]

Just use a sponge filter, cheaper and better for that size tank. If you want a power filter use a penguin, not an AC. The bio-wheel is much more efficient than a sponge.

[MrSpike]

Just use a sponge filter, cheaper and better for that size tank. If you want a power filter use a penguin, not an AC. The bio-wheel is much more efficient than a sponge.

Ok, for a sponge filter you need the filter itself and what, some sort of pump? Really dumb question but would the pump that I bought for my airstone work? I don't use the airstone as the fish were freaked out by it...

[imnotlistening]

Yep, use an air pump and an air stone thats it. For your size tank an air stone is just what you need.

sponge or foam
airstone
air pump
tubing
a tube such as pvc pipe

http://www.hagblomfoto.com/article_spongefilter.htm

[MrSpike]

Yep, use an air pump and an air stone thats it. For your size tank an air stone is just what you need.

sponge or foam
airstone
air pump
tubing
a tube such as pvc pipe

http://www.hagblomfoto.com/article_spongefilter.htm

I looked at the instructions but I am still a little confused. What I have is an airpump hooked to an airstone. The airstone releases bubbles into the water, don't you need something that sucks in so you pull water into the filter? Or do you put the airstone at the bottom of a tube and a sponge on the other end? That way the air would force water up the tube and through the sponge?

I'm just trying to figure out what this would look like. Thanks.

[imnotlistening]

Exactly, stick the bubbling air stone at the end of the tube where the sponge is.

[Marinemom]

Sponge filters are great. I would not necessarily say that a bio-wheel filter is better then a sponge filter since the bacteria needed for the aquarium only has the wheels to grow on. It all just depends on what you want in the tank and then decide which filter is best for that particular situation.

Marinemom

[silentskream]

i just dump the carbon out of the bag and rinse it out and put the bag back into the filter.

[MrSpike]

Sponge filters are great. I would not necessarily say that a bio-wheel filter is better then a sponge filter since the bacteria needed for the aquarium only has the wheels to grow on. It all just depends on what you want in the tank and then decide which filter is best for that particular situation.

Marinemom

So for a load with soon to be 6 rasboras, 1 betta, 1 ADF, and 3-4 small cory's which filter would work better? I turned off the airstone as it freaked out the betta too much, he immediately went into hiding. I did order the smallest (100gph) penguin bio-wheel but I can easily send it back or use it on one of the two 10g glass aquariums I have empty in the garage.

And speaking of filters, I have a whisper 3i (the hang in tank one) in my 2.5g shrimp tank. Right now the filter intake is covered with a sponge zip-tied on but I don't think enough water is getting in. What is the best way to filter a shrimp tank like this? I love the little guys and don't want them to die... I guess I could always put them in the 10g with the other fish and put the betta in the 2.5g...

For a sponge filter would you get something like this
http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp19170/si1382103/cl0/leesspongefiltertriangle and just hook the tube to it from the air pump?

Thanks for all the help!

[imnotlistening]

I said the bio-wheel is better than the AC sponge, but a diy sponge filter is great. I think Marineland is better than AC's. As for the commercial sponge filter, it's the same thing as the diy one. If the air stone bothers you, you could use a small pump.

[MrSpike]

I said the bio-wheel is better than the AC sponge, but a diy sponge filter is great. I think Marineland is better than AC's. As for the commercial sponge filter, it's the same thing as the diy one. If the air stone bothers you, you could use a small pump.

Cool, thanks for the help. I am going to use the penguin in the 10g tank and take out the piece of crap hang in filter 3i in the 2.5g and replace that with a sponge filter. I don't even have to worry about pumps as the 3i uses an external air pump to work. I just have to wait for my lfs to get some sponges in stock and I'll be good to go.

Thanks for all the help!

[imnotlistening]

That sounds great. Penguins and Emperors much better than Whispers,AC's, and Top Fins'.