carbon/zeolite mix is it worth buying ?

[bert]

I have seen the packaged carbon/zeolite 50/50 mix sold it in aquarium shops, it says the zeolite will absorb ammonia a lot better than just carbon, is this true even in a canister filter that has little bio- filtration [magnum 350] how much better are those zeolite and ammo-chips they sell, do they really work ???

[fish_freak]

I dont like them because there covering up the bigger amonia problem in a tank there only good for cycleing imo. I would put some bio media in the carbon chamber rather than the carbon.

[bert]

the magnum only has the canister with a carbon basket and a floss sleeve that goes over it, i am told that there is not much, if any bio- filtration in the closed canister, unlike fluval type filters which have more than one chamber for different media i wonder how well a different media would work in place of the carbon, something i could place in the carbon basket ? any ideas ???:cool:

[750t]

Ehfisubstrat by eheim. This stuff is smaller than ceramic cylinders so you should be able to get more in your filter.

[bert]

the carbon basket holds a lot of carbon, if i went to another media in there it would last a lot longer , would this different kind of media offer BETTER bio- filtration , or does the media have to exposed to air to be bio effective ? the carbon basket is 100% submerged in water.

[TKOS]

Carbon isn't super for bio filtration, IMO. heck I would rather stuff it full of more filter floss. But ceramic beads will probably do the trick fine. And you will only have to rinse them out every so often instead of replacing it. Saves a lot of money over carbon. And the zeolite is more of an emergency thing or else maybe useful in really small tanks where the cycle doesn't work or last the same due to larger water changes etc...

[bert]

I am thinking about putting something more bio- effecient in there in place of the carbon.

[750t]

And what part of the last 2 posts did you not understand:confused:

[bert]

so many choices, but they are a lot more effecient than the carbon, and cheaper to use in the long run.

[DeVitaf]

Originally posted by bert
so many choices, but they are a lot more effecient than the carbon, and cheaper to use in the long run.

Bert, I also have a magnum 350 but it's the "pro system". It splits the return from the canister and sends the water over two large biowheels. This leaves the media basket open for whatever media I choose.

I believe you can order the biowheel attachment seperately for your magnum 350. IMO it offers better bilogical filtration than any media you could submerge in the filter basket.

[DeVitaf]

This is what they look like (Bio-wheel Pro 60 unpowered):

http://www.marineland.com/products/consumer/pic2/con_pic2_bwpro.jpg

Here's a link to the manufactures site:
http://www.marineland.com/products/consumer/con_bwpro.asp

[bert]

how do you like your magnum ? my old whisper power filter i had before i moved ran for 12 years and along with an UGF, i restarted the tank this time without the UGF, i wanted the tetra-tech 500 but it was too wide for my openings on the back of tru-vu plexi 100 gallon, so i had to rethink filters and the magnum 350 delux is what i could afford, the hoses were a major pain !!! the coupling nuts kept breaking without hardly any pressure, so i replaced them all with small auto hose clamps, by the way, have you used the gravel vac feature that comes with it ? if so, how well does it work ? I have a python i use to fill the tank and another shorter gravel vac that i siphon water into and it is REALLY strong, cleans great but just wonderin' about the magnums gravel vac ability so i can vac and not have to replace the water each time i want to vac.:)

[Handyman]

Bert:
We have a 125 gal. Cichlid tank with a Magnum 350 for chemical filteration (Charcoal) and 2 ea Emperor 400 (double bio-wheel) filters for the biological filter.
This is my first experence with a bio-wheel over an UGF. I am in the process of replacing all my other tanks UGF's with bio-wheel filters. They work great I have not seen any spikes in the ammonia to nitrate cycle since we set up this tank in Oct 2003. I suggest you use the Magnum for charcoal as intended, charcoal will remove oders as well as the nasty trace elements in tap water. Note: charcoal does not remove chlorine or chlorimine.
I agree with the reply that ammo-chips can hide a serious ammonia problem as the product does nothing for nitrite or nitrates. Good Luck.:cool:

[bert]

thanks handyman, have you tried the gravel vac feature of the filter yet ? and on the bio-wheel, it attaches inline with the magnum ? does it reduce the outflow of the magnums outflow tube ?
bert

[DeVitaf]

Originally posted by bert
thanks handyman, have you tried the gravel vac feature of the filter yet ? and on the bio-wheel, it attaches inline with the magnum ? does it reduce the outflow of the magnums outflow tube ?
bert

Yes, it will cut the outflow in half (roughly) but increases surface agitation (not desired in planetd tanks from what I understand). In my case it's a good thing because I have one on a 38g tank as well as my 50 breeder and it doesn't cause too much circulation. It also allowed me to add a second filter to my 50 breeder (HOT magnum 250 with micron filter) without creating too much current.

I have not used the vacuume feature. I have a Python and it is easier for me to vacuum the tank and do a 10% water change than to attach gravel cleaner, vacuum the gravel, take the filter appart, clean the media and put it all back together. If you don't have a python get one! :p

[DeVitaf]

Originally posted by bert
how do you like your magnum ?

I like it a lot. I am a big fan of the biowheel. I own two magnum 350 pro systems as well as the HOT magnum 250.
I can't afford Eheim yet but, would love to own one of their canisters as I understand they are the best. I also considered getting a fluval (I hope I don't turn this thread into a canister filter debate :).) but, I found the hoses to be really chincy and it made me nervous. I didn't want water all over my house.


Originally posted by bert
the hoses were a major pain !!! the coupling nuts kept breaking without hardly any pressure, so i replaced them all with small auto hose clamps,

I had trouble getting those **** rubber rings around the house to secure it over the slip fittings. I haven't had trouble with anything breaking though. :confused:

Good luck, hope this helped :).

[bert]

thanks DeVitaf it sure did, the gravel vav feature is nice if you don't own a python but i do and it is much easier and quicker to do water changes and gravel vac. i agree the time to disassemble and reassemble would take a long time , so i will just stick to the old fashiond way, thanks for the info. !!:)

[Handyman]

Bert:
We have tried the gravel vac on the magnum 350 and the HOT Magnum and do not like it. With a floss sleave on the micro cartridge, the micro certridge clogged in about 3 minutes. The filter is not easly cleaned and can't be cleaned back to original condition. They are also expesive the best price I have found is apx. $9.00 each. We use ours only for a mech. filter with the charcoal and a floss sleve.
Since we have 2 Emperor 400's (bio-wheel) we haven't tried the bio-wheel accessory.
I have never used a python.
I use a Vortex XL diatom filter to clean the gravel with a siphon on the intake. Also use a recirculation valve. Not only does it stay clog free it outputs incredably clear water back to the tank. I then allow it to run for a couple hours to scrub the water. When finished just shake it, remove the jar, and pour the crud down the toilet. Rinse off the filter element and your good to go. By the way a diatom XL cost less than a Magnum 350 see (petsmart.com)
Vortex also mfg. a diatomous earth / charcoal mix for their filters. I havent tried it yet so I dont know how well it performs.

[bert]

sounds like a lot of work and time , the python does the job for me, clogged in 3 minutes ? you would have to disassemble the filter to clean it several times . glad i didn't try to do it thatway then. sounds like you found a great system to clean your tank !