i have a marineland hot canister filter on my soon to be planted aquarium. i don't want the bio wheel because i am afriad it will release to much co2 from the water. what can i do to get some bio filtration? would a sponge in the filter intake help? any help/ advice is greatly appreciated.
bio filtration?
- Thread starter rose1
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How big is the tank? Also, what is loaded in the media canister right now? Chances are there is bacteria in places other than the BIO-Wheel. And yes, you can use a sponge. This is especially helpfull for HOT filters if you put it on the lip of the outlet, as this helps reduce surface agitation.rose1 said:
32 gallon. i was going to ask what i should use in the filter too. i can use the micron filter cartidge or a i can use the media canister with a foam sleeve. which would be better?
My HOT
I use the carbon cage and fill that with efisubstrat, actually I use the Pro version but either is fine. I also removed the nozzle thing on the output and just leave that second bend pointed along the back side of the tank, pointed down just a bit to minimize surface disturbance. Works fine.
If you use the micron sleeve it may plug up pretty fast. You'll have to keep an eye on it. The cage plus substrat, plus the foam sleeve too, will be fine for a long time, needs rinsing every week or 3 but never plugs up.
I use the carbon cage and fill that with efisubstrat, actually I use the Pro version but either is fine. I also removed the nozzle thing on the output and just leave that second bend pointed along the back side of the tank, pointed down just a bit to minimize surface disturbance. Works fine.
If you use the micron sleeve it may plug up pretty fast. You'll have to keep an eye on it. The cage plus substrat, plus the foam sleeve too, will be fine for a long time, needs rinsing every week or 3 but never plugs up.
At only 32 gallons, have you considered simply not messing with the Magnum and just using Flourish Excel as a source of carbon? You can order it pretty affordably from Big Al's Online and for smaller tanks, it's not too costly to use. It also helps inhibit certain types of algae and the good news, it doesn't gas off. It's what I use in my 29 gallon with two Penguin BIO-Wheel filters and I've got no complaints whatsoever with my plants.
Do yourself a favor and go to the library and get a copy of Diana Walstad's book,
Ecology of the Planted Aquarium. It will explain in detail the chemistry and biology of substrates, plants, co2, oxygen, bacteria and micronutrients of a planted aquarium.
Be prepared to be suprised, and to save money on co2 systems and fertilizers, and to save of time on maintenance.
Ecology of the Planted Aquarium. It will explain in detail the chemistry and biology of substrates, plants, co2, oxygen, bacteria and micronutrients of a planted aquarium.
Be prepared to be suprised, and to save money on co2 systems and fertilizers, and to save of time on maintenance.
I have that book and have read it entirely. It's a good read and will give you a good understanding of how aquatic plants 'work'...so to speak. Her methods, however, have been criticized by some. I would try to read as many articles/posts by plantbrain aka Tom Barr, as you can. He's full of good information and sound advice.
I agree w/Slappy. Ms. Waldstad's book is informative and her research into the scientific literature is admirable, but her interpretation of applying that data to fish tanks is open to serious debate. A grain of salt is definitely in order IMHO.