filtration for planted 10-gal

Starry

Starry

Occasionally sighted.
May 15, 2002
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Brampton, Ont
I'm not very familiar with filters, and I need a new one for my planted 10-gal. I only need mechanical filtration, so a simple, small filter would work best. Something that won't take up a lot of space and won't cause too much surface agitation. (I don't want another sponge filter)

djlen: I got rid of the sponge filter and put in the AC powerhead yesterday. The flow seemed low enough when on the minimum setting, but this morning one of my fish was caught in it, and he didn't make it. I realize that he was probably weak already, but still.... :( And I'm not sure what you meant about feeding the CO2 line into it. The intake at the bottom is covered with a plastic cone-shaped thingy, and I would've had to cut off the bottom of that to feed the CO2 line into it. I haven't done that yet, I don't have the CO2 hooked up right now. Also, I did some major pruning and uprooting yesterday, and the flourite is so messy, I'd like something to take care of the mess more quickly than bacteria. I think I'm gonna get a filter AND the hagen bubble counter for the CO2. What filter are you using in your small tank?
 
i would go with the AC mini. its quiet, and ive never seen anyone have a problem with aquaclears. im using it on my 10g moderately planted, and i still have to adjust the flow down because its too powerful. also it creates almost to none surface agitation. i tried using a ac200 on the same setup because everyone's a fan of over filtering, but it was waaaayyy too powerful when i added the fish.
 
I agree with Chinaboy. I also use a 'Mini' in my ten.
Since you are going to be injecting CO2 it will also help with the ppm because it has a flow adjustment. You will have minimal surface agitation if you keep your water level up to avoid splashing from the return shoot. The siphon tube is pretty small and easy to hide.
Len
 
I have a Whisper 20 on my planted 10 and I dont have a problem with it. I know Whisper filters (and the whole Tetra Line for that matter) usually don't get good reviews but I am quite happy with it. I use 2 sponges in it instead of the filter media that they sell but it's all good :)

Aaron
 
Hey Yadda, Yadda......an AC Mini will be fine for your tank and won't 'suck' any fish in that are healthy except for possibly an Oto.
I think I've gotten some of the dumbest Otos on the planet. They get into everything and get stuck.
As to the fry.....when you have them it might be a good idea to put a small pre-filter on the inlet at the bottom of the siphon tube such as a small sponge, until the fry get some size on them and sense to them.
Len
 
I have an AC mini in my 10 gallon and when my betta used to live in there he hung out around the intake tube area all the time and had no problem with his big flowing fins. And there was a platty fry in there for a couple of weeks, and he lived in the area near the intake tube and he could easily fight the current.
 
Reiterating what others have said, an AC mini on a 10 gallon should be fine. For the fry, a sponge would work, or I have just tied a double layer of netting around the tube. But on the off chance you end up finding your current is still too strong even on the low setting, you can rig up the intake tube to make it a smaller diameter and therefore less flow. I did that with an AC mini on a 5 gallon once. If you ever want to know how I did mine, let me know.
 
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