First Canister Filter - Lovin' it

Well, as part of the quid pro quo that is tax refund season around our house, I was fortunate enough not only to talk the Mrs. into letting me buy a new lighting system but also a new canister filter. I was pretty happy with the aquaclear 30 HOB, but the water stayed pretty cloudy (after adding play sand) and it was a wee bit on the noisy side (meaning you could kinda hear it). The main problem with it was that I constantly had to disassemble and clean because of all of the duck weed and hornwort.

SO... I picked up a Fluval 205 canister filter. I know it is not the best out there, but for $119 I am very happy with it. Very quite and has four different trays into which different types of filter media can be placed. As tradition I put one packet of carbon in (that will be replaced with the prefilter cylinders soon. then filled the next two with the bio media mixed with my old biomedia from my other filter. In the last section I placed one of the water polishers (never used one before so i thought I would give it a try).

Took out the power head entirely so no UGF. But the new filter runs on 9w. Whereas the old filter was 9w plus I was runnign the power filter. So this new set up is also more economical and greener. Plus, the water looks much better already (may be rationalization, but I don't care... I like the filter hahah).

Just had to share. My wife could care less about these things... so I thought I would share with folks that might actually appreciate it. hahaha.

Bettafishmommy, I have a spare filter from when we were given the tank that I can use as a backup in the event this one conks out. I have also left the plates intact for the UGF and still have the ph in case of an emergency. But I so love the quite!!!! I really didn't think that a canister would be that much on an improvement, but even my wife has noticed that the quality of the water is exceptional. THis AM it was full of sediment. Now it just has some microbubbles.

And... for those of you who suggested that the 10000k would increase algea growth...um, you were right. First time I have noticed it was today after a water change. Will stay with it and keep it clean. Just glad to know that things are going relatively well with only one age related fish death and two pre-existing fungal things. Knock on drift wood, I think my tank has cycled.