Equipment Review and Discussion :: all filter experts please come!

[Chrisbarnett]

Chris-barn - 500 gph will do fine. The key is to have at least 5 times the turn over. You just have to watch the suction and the current swirl that may occur. m.

Heh, When I used to have an XP1 on a 10gal tank, that was some insane flow. It was a whirlpool really but my axolotl managed somehow for a while. 25x per hour turnover!

[mikee]

That sound like you had a blender!! I think the rule of thumb is five times the volume in the tank. I think that is the least that is recommended. I try and get at least 7 or 8 times the volume. You can definitely see the difference when you turn up the volume. You just have to be careful not to get the suction too much and disperse the outlet so as not the toss them around the tank. My 350 gph in a 29 does a good job.

[marisa]

I have an Aquaclear 110 on a 40-gallon stock tank and it works fine. I somehow don't think, though, that the gph is 500 gal/hour. If there's too much turbulance, you can use aquarium silicone to attach a plexiglass lip to the output.

[mikee]

Mar-mod - You are correct. You have to watch the suction and the discharge when you get a higher volume filter pump. My suction is brought through the bottom using a under gravel filter grate modified to work with a canister filter. The discharge can be dampened down by adding another discharge to reduce the turbulence. You need enough turbulence to keep the poo suspended so that it can be picked by the suction. m.

[marisa]

I've never had a filter that keeps the "poo suspended" so it can be picked up by the suction. To me, it would create too much current.

[Chrisbarnett]

I've never had a filter that keeps the "poo suspended" so it can be picked up by the suction. To me, it would create too much current.

The 10gal filtration system would keep poo suspended, so I think in order for this to happen you need in the neighborhood of at least 20x per hour turnover.

[marisa]

If you have too fast a turnover, it will affect the beneficial bacteria. Having good mechanical filtration is fine, but biological filtration is at least as important.

[grem89]

build a sump! cheapest and most effective. You just need some hands-on skills

[ohitsmason]

lol i suck at making stuff lol! i even failed at making a abtba( above tank basking area)! lol

[grem89]

when u guys talk about your filters gph. are u keeping in mind the fact thar filter media can have a big impact on canister filters gph rating. manufacturers specs are if the filter is running with no filter media

[ohitsmason]

oh ty for the info grem

[mikee]

If you wish I guess you can cram enough media in you filter if you wish but keeping the flow is important. I pump as much as I can without causing a vortex. m.

[Chrisbarnett]

when u guys talk about your filters gph. are u keeping in mind the fact thar filter media can have a big impact on canister filters gph rating. manufacturers specs are if the filter is running with no filter media

Yep. Factories do a ridiculous test with no media or head pressure on the pump to get the gph that they do.

[grem89]

how smalll of an aquRium do some of you have that your pump is able to create a vortex?

[mikee]

I am sure not many! Mine are just short of that. I have a fairly good swirl with a 29gallon tank with a 350gph attaced to it. That is about a 14 times turn over.