agree. to each their own preference. so far I have been getting a lot of positives on the AC's for the power/function & favorable price points. I only have & use a canister cuz it came free with my 72g BF CL purchase. otherwise I would have never invested in one either. I personally don't like the bio wheels - I like the ceramic tublets that AC uses - I see them pitted & stained with bacteria/bio, that's proof to me they are working & don't need to be replaced too soon.
Canister or HOB?
- Thread starter sushiray
- Start date
agree. to each their own preference. so far I have been getting a lot of positives on the AC's for the power/function & favorable price points. I only have & use a canister cuz it came free with my 72g BF CL purchase. otherwise I would have never invested in one either. I personally don't like the bio wheels - I like the ceramic tublets that AC uses - I see them pitted & stained with bacteria/bio, that's proof to me they are working & don't need to be replaced too soon.
My heavily planted 75 has numerous filters. Two magnum 350 with media chamber of medium and large eheim bio filter media. If the chamber is left empty the outside filter sleeve collapses mesh prematurely. They alternately have their sleeve changed monthly. A HOT magnum has a sponge pre-filter and a micro filter. The pre-filter is cleaned weekly and then the micro is exchange with another used one that has been clean in bleach bath as needed every two weeks. All magnums have DIY spraybars or out flows 4 inches below the water line. A fluval 304 with only sponges and bio media is cleaned every 3 to 4 months when flow is slow. The 6 clown loaches and 4 angels are original inhabitants and over 4 years old. 3 Bristlenose were added two years ago to keep the glass cleaner in spots. Several batches of otto have come and gone with SAE's or flying foxes moved in for spells. They enjoy a 50% every 5 to 7 days depending on my work schedule. Except for a accidental phosphate over dose a few months everything has been peachy. Over filtration cannot ever happen IMO.
sounds good, your bio-load seems to be manageable & lighter than mine (15 juvie discus!)
about the bleach wash - is that the pre-filter? what material is it? do you need to condition the water when you replace it with the clean bleached one?
I guess my 204 was too small to help carry the load with my ac110, but the 204 will be history hopefully by tomorrow.
I have several micron filters. The fine filter is for polishing, an endless task in my tank. They can be found for $7 each, but are reusable. The 5% bleach water bath gets them semi clean. Soaking them for several days, then placing them in water bath with a ml of prime to remove the bleach works well. They air dry and are ready for action.
10 of these are in circulation, having numerous HOT magnums and 350's in service. The HOT are not as powerful and need to have them replace more often then 350's. I prefer to use them in HOTs as changing them is a snap. A towel underneath precludes moving the unit, but up to a half cup of water may spill.
10 of these are in circulation, having numerous HOT magnums and 350's in service. The HOT are not as powerful and need to have them replace more often then 350's. I prefer to use them in HOTs as changing them is a snap. A towel underneath precludes moving the unit, but up to a half cup of water may spill.
