View Full Version : What to put in HOB filter?
JPDVM2014
11-16-2008, 3:33 PM
Just wanted to know what everyone uses in their HOB filters. I've got two running on a 26 and my penguin 150 is running right now with just a mesh bag of crushed coral in it. So do most people just use the premade filter inserts? Or is there a better method?
Shocker6966
11-16-2008, 3:51 PM
I use pretty much whatever I have on hand at the moment. Ranging from pot scrubbers to lava rock to pre-fab ceramic filled bags and sponge.
wildman117
11-16-2008, 3:54 PM
i just use bulk filter floss and pot scrubbers
bulk filter floss cut to size for my penguin with peat nuggets in the media basket.
DAVIDFBT
11-16-2008, 4:13 PM
On most of my fish tanks, I use AC filters with this order from bottom to top: lava rocks in mesh bag, sponge, and filter floss. With my African cichlid tank, I use this: Crushed Coral in mesh bag, sponge, and filter floss.
Reddog80p
11-16-2008, 5:50 PM
I run HOBs and canisters. In my HOBs I run (from bottom to top) Sponge,polyfil,ceramic rings.
blue2fyre
11-16-2008, 5:57 PM
ok let me clarify
you can just put media in a HOB filter? You don't need to use the cartridges? How do you stack it inside so it won't come out?
I really did not know this lol
JPDVM2014
11-16-2008, 6:20 PM
When you guys say from bottom to top, would that be on the side where the water intake is or the side where the outflow is? Like in DAVID's example, would the water hit the filter floss or the lava rocks first? And what do the lava rocks do anyway? Are there any advantages to using filter media instead of filter inserts? Or is it just as effective?
jm1212
11-16-2008, 7:13 PM
just the cartridges.
now i have a C-360 canister :D
JPDVM2014
11-16-2008, 7:19 PM
^ heh, must be nice.
jbradt
11-16-2008, 7:24 PM
When you guys say from bottom to top, would that be on the side where the water intake is or the side where the outflow is? Like in DAVID's example, would the water hit the filter floss or the lava rocks first? And what do the lava rocks do anyway? Are there any advantages to using filter media instead of filter inserts? Or is it just as effective?
David was referring to an Aqua Clear filter. These are a little different from a standard cartridge type HOB. the water flows from the bottom, up through the top of the media basket. Media is stacked inside the basket. In his example, the water would hit the lava rocks first.
I also am a fan of Aqua Clears, and run most of them with 2 sponges and a biological media. Hope this helps.
JPDVM2014
11-16-2008, 7:46 PM
Ahh, ok. I understand now. So the basket is on the same side as the intake. The two filters i have running on my 26 have the most room for media on the overflow side. Thanks.
Blue2fyre, with my eclipse 3 I just cut a couple of pieces of floss and a coarse sponge to size and fit them in the filter box, weighing them down with a few lava rocks to keep them from floating around.
With my Penguin 350 I use a couple of empty cartridges with removable floss and carbon and put in a piece of floss cut to size. Drsfosterandsmith sell them.
Most hob filter cartridges can be replaced similarly. More hassle than just replacing the cartridge but cheaper.