I had bought one of these filters awhile back to have as a backup since they are fairly cheap, I wanted to try something different other than Whispers and Aqua Clears, just for the experience.
I got a 10 gallon tank that was building up a slick film on the surface, BADLY. I don't know why this one tank is worse than any others I've ever had.
So I hooked up the Dr. F&S filter since it has a small skimmer built in and it works very well. I am very impressed by it. It's as quiet as any AC I have (virtually noiseless). The skimmer got rid of the surface film quickly. It has two filter cartridges which should do great with biological and even better mechanical.
I had already been using the small bio system replacement cartridges in a couple of Tetra Whisper 10's and regular's in a Whisper 40-60. I was making my own filters for the Tetra grid inserts using quilt filler (in rolls), but the price of the Bio System replacements are so cheap at 48 cents each if you buy the 24pk, it's not worth the time to deal with the hot glue gun and making my own.
I know the AC is pretty much the king of HOB filters for most around here and I have a few and love them. But I hate when they start up with noisy air bubbles and squeezing out the foam sponges to clean them. I know they are even cheaper to operate (just a few bucks a year if you reuse the sponges and don't use carbon) and will continue to use them.
But if you're looking for an alternative and easy to maintain HOB and have a problem with surface film, investigate this pretty cool filter.
I got a 10 gallon tank that was building up a slick film on the surface, BADLY. I don't know why this one tank is worse than any others I've ever had.
So I hooked up the Dr. F&S filter since it has a small skimmer built in and it works very well. I am very impressed by it. It's as quiet as any AC I have (virtually noiseless). The skimmer got rid of the surface film quickly. It has two filter cartridges which should do great with biological and even better mechanical.
I had already been using the small bio system replacement cartridges in a couple of Tetra Whisper 10's and regular's in a Whisper 40-60. I was making my own filters for the Tetra grid inserts using quilt filler (in rolls), but the price of the Bio System replacements are so cheap at 48 cents each if you buy the 24pk, it's not worth the time to deal with the hot glue gun and making my own.
I know the AC is pretty much the king of HOB filters for most around here and I have a few and love them. But I hate when they start up with noisy air bubbles and squeezing out the foam sponges to clean them. I know they are even cheaper to operate (just a few bucks a year if you reuse the sponges and don't use carbon) and will continue to use them.
But if you're looking for an alternative and easy to maintain HOB and have a problem with surface film, investigate this pretty cool filter.
