So what filter do you use?

T

twig

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Apr 28, 2006
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I'm just curious as to what you guys think of your filters. I'm using an aquaclear 150 for my 20g right now. I can't really say i'm happy with it. The sponge has been a real pain to keep flowing beautifully.

I've been reading up on the biowheels and i'm getting mixed reviews. Some seem to say it's the best thing ever made while others complain that the wheels get jammed and it's loud and difficult to maintain and whatnot.

Though i'm looking to change my filter media I was wondering how difficult that would be. Would the tank have to cycle all over again? =( How could I pull it off without moving my fish to another tank (as I've pretty much only got this 20g for now.)

What would you guys recommend for a 20g tank thats med planted?
 
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This is sort of the wrong section but ill try to help you out the best I can.
I actualy love my bio-wheel 350, it was a nice price(26$) and it is really easy to take care of, When my filter media gets cloged, i just rinse it out in some of the old tank water in a 5 gallon bucket, i do that about 2 times b4 i decide to buy new media, and since the 350 has 2 pands, i only change one at a time.

And most likly you will have enough bacteria in your sub that if anything, a mini cycle would happen but its never happend to me.
 
If you ever decide to go with CO2 injection in the future, a bio-wheel is not the best way to go. I causes the CO2 to 'gas-off' into the atmosphere rather than staying in the tank where you want it. I have heard the same complaint regarding the noise factor as well.
Changing media will not affect the bio-filter in the tank significantly and with the maturation of the tank will not affect it at all. Once the bio-colony gets into the substrate it will carry the tank. You can change media and do a 50% water change without fear of losing the colony.

Len
 
HOT Magnum with a modded output.

I changed the output to flow under the water surface, so as not to create surface agitation. It works really well.

I inject CO2 via a DIY 2L bottle (champagne yeast) right into the filter intake.

I agree; no bio-wheels for CO2 injected tanks.

EDIT: My planted tank is a 20H.
 
I got my Fluval 204 for like $45 when they were selling old inventory at foster and smith. It is by far my favorite filter, followed by my aquaclear now that it has quieted down.

For a planted tank I like the Fluval much better.
 
Canisters make my fishy world go round and round.
 
Eheim. I have four 2026 and a 2224 on four of my tanks. I also have Bio-Wheels on three of the tanks that have 2026s. I keep the water topped so that there is little if any agitation.

Next year, however, I will be replacing the Emperors with more Eheims. Those things rock :)

Roan
 
None of my Aquaclears have been giving me a problem. How is your sponge getting clogged up so easily?
 
I'm happy with my Bio-Wheel. I have heard (and will soon be trying it) that you can ditch the replaceable cartridges and use sponges from other filter (Fluval 104 is the best fit I think) and take your maintenance costs down to nil. Just rinse out the sponge in the water you take out during changes to get rid of debris. Leaving a sponge in there almost permanently instead of using cartridges you are supposed to replace every few weeks also amps up your biological filtration since more nitrifying bacteria will embed in the sponge as well as the stuff already on the much heralded wheel.
 
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