Aquarium Filters anyone?

Thanks

Thanks for the input everyone. Luckily I have time to get the filter and read up on the instructions, find the missing ingredients before I actually need to use it.
 
The best filter is plants. If you have a nearby pond they are free.

If you use potting soil in your substrate they will grow. Then all you need to do is move the water around with a cheap powerhead.
 
The nitrification bacteria are all quite well attached. If they could be rinsed free that easily, fuidized bed filters (which are rinsed 24/7/365) could not work. Nor could biowheels. Another ancient aquarium myth for the non-thinking.
 
go for a bio wheel filter. most people will choose AC over them but i would say get a bio wheel. they do a great job although theyre noise for the first three or so days its well worth it. my water has never looked so clear and my tank has never been so stable.
 
If memory serves, Biowheels aren't the best for planted tanks, since they excessively airate the water (the waterfall action) driving all the CO2 out of the water. Besides, if nothing else, you'd need a very large Biowheel for a 125 gallon tank.

Just checked...they don't make one big enough. You'd need to run two of their biggest models.
 
Doormatt said:
If memory serves, Biowheels aren't the best for planted tanks, since they excessively airate the water (the waterfall action) driving all the CO2 out of the water. Besides, if nothing else, you'd need a very large Biowheel for a 125 gallon tank.

Just checked...they don't make one big enough. You'd need to run two of their biggest models.

is this true?
i thought surface activity was meant to increase the rate of gas exchange at the h2o surface? which means oxygen goes in and out as well as co2?
sorry if this sounds dumb but will someone clarify this for me? pls? lol :confused:

all my tanks are planted and have lots of surface activity, but plants are doing fine though, but then again i only have stem plants w/c needs little requirements? i also dont have co2 injection and fertilizers..

thanx for anyone who will help :help:
 
The limiting nutrient for plants in tanks is commonly bio-available carbon from CO2, so many of us have to insure suffient carbon by CO2 addition. Surface disruption is the enemy there, as it allows tank CO2 to equilibrate with the air. Air equilibrium of CO2 is ~2-5 ppm, too low for good plant growth for many of us.

Low-tech setups with low light and no routine fertilizer supplement may do fine without the CO2 supplement, but most plant folks want more than that.
 
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