My tank: 20 gallon high, played out sponge filter, medium planted, 13 boraras merah, 12+ dwarf emerald rasbora, cherry shrimp
My fish have been breeding, which is cool, but they will over populate the tank soon. I have no interest setting up breeding tanks or fry tanks or cultures. I'd like them to just keep breeding in this tank. Only a few fry make it to adulthood but that's ok. Regardless, I need to replace my old sponge filter anyway. And I'm thinking of putting my pressurized CO2 system on this tank. I only have experience with HOB and sponge filters, I prefer sponge filters.
So I've been looking into canister filters, which I understand offer superior product lifespan, filtration, media options, better for CO2...etc
Canister filter questions: Can canister filters stay on during a water change? Which specific models are low flow, suited for my tank? How does the flow compare to a AC 150, 100? Inline CO2, what is it and what to buy? Are fry and shrimp going to get sucked up (the fry can't swim for a few days after hatching)? Will the little microscopic things the fry/shrimp eat be affected? Would the canister interfere with water column fertilizer? Truly how often do you open them up and clean the media? Is this messy, does water spill out? Ive managed to break several AquaClear filters, will I break a canister, too? Since they are more heavy duty, and I like the fry, should I even bother with canister?
HOB questions: other brand recommendations than AC? I know, blasphemy but even with a prefilter and flow set to low i think it's too much. Also ugly, huge space behind tank needed, mine have clogged with moss. They are definitely amazing but not for this tank.
Sponge filter questions: brand recommendations with small footprint? Any other brands than hydro which are black? Anyone ever run a sponge with a power head? How'd that go, what did you use?
I'm basically leaning towards getting 2 sponge filters but also attracted to those fancy canisters. Thanks.
My fish have been breeding, which is cool, but they will over populate the tank soon. I have no interest setting up breeding tanks or fry tanks or cultures. I'd like them to just keep breeding in this tank. Only a few fry make it to adulthood but that's ok. Regardless, I need to replace my old sponge filter anyway. And I'm thinking of putting my pressurized CO2 system on this tank. I only have experience with HOB and sponge filters, I prefer sponge filters.
So I've been looking into canister filters, which I understand offer superior product lifespan, filtration, media options, better for CO2...etc
Canister filter questions: Can canister filters stay on during a water change? Which specific models are low flow, suited for my tank? How does the flow compare to a AC 150, 100? Inline CO2, what is it and what to buy? Are fry and shrimp going to get sucked up (the fry can't swim for a few days after hatching)? Will the little microscopic things the fry/shrimp eat be affected? Would the canister interfere with water column fertilizer? Truly how often do you open them up and clean the media? Is this messy, does water spill out? Ive managed to break several AquaClear filters, will I break a canister, too? Since they are more heavy duty, and I like the fry, should I even bother with canister?
HOB questions: other brand recommendations than AC? I know, blasphemy but even with a prefilter and flow set to low i think it's too much. Also ugly, huge space behind tank needed, mine have clogged with moss. They are definitely amazing but not for this tank.
Sponge filter questions: brand recommendations with small footprint? Any other brands than hydro which are black? Anyone ever run a sponge with a power head? How'd that go, what did you use?
I'm basically leaning towards getting 2 sponge filters but also attracted to those fancy canisters. Thanks.