Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Peter on November 11, 2013 at 11:21am

Are u gonna do barebottom breeder or have it plante. Or just gravel? If its bare bottom 2 sponge filters should be enough if u want more filtration go for a hob filter the 1s rated for ur size tank.

Permalink Reply by Kenneth Philabaum on November 11, 2013 at 1:18pm

Planning on trying a planted tank not sure on substrate I will use yet but am considering having a go at a dirted tank.

Permalink Reply by Gray on November 11, 2013 at 4:34pm

DONT GET A HOB FILTER. it is a waste of money get a canister filter they are much better.

Permalink Reply by Kenneth Philabaum on November 11, 2013 at 11:47pm

Funny enough I was considering an external canister filter but here in the UK they seem a bit pricey. Also wouldn't know where to start with choosing one, don't want to pay a fortune for one but at the same time don't want a crap one.

Any recommendations on any good ones? Any idea what I would expect to pay? Don't mind if no media is included because a friend of mine has given me a ton of it. I'm kinda trying to keep costs down to the minimum at the moment. I may have to delay the project if a filter is going to cost me too much and save for one. I'm really looking forward to this so don't want to delay if I can help it.

Permalink Reply by Robert Jango on November 12, 2013 at 11:50am

A filter is a way to create more surface area for your tank's bacteria. That's all. For example, with a sponge filter a 10 gallon tank suddenly becomes a tank with as much surface area as a 100 gallon tank. The cheapest filters are sponge filters and they are probably the best too.  Having two allows you to clean one without killing all the bacteria. People who work at the New England Aquarium recommended sponge filters for me.

Anything that allows water to trickle back down into the tank is also good. It just takes up a lot of room. It should run over as much surface area as possible - something like bio-balls. At the New England Aquarium the filters are larger than the tanks. 

Permalink Reply by George Barrett on November 12, 2013 at 1:46pm

i like my aqua clears hob filters easy to clean are quite and cheap been uing them for over three years. one thing though if you have sand do not place the bubbler anywhere near the intake will suck up sand ad ruin the magnet motor. look on line for a diy filter there are some good ones that are cheap and seem easy enouph. i also have an old ehiem2217 that works great work on it every 3 months or so. but i would have to agree sponge filters are my favorite in a low stocked tank situation. i like the idea of running 2 so yo can clean one without knocking out to much of the bacteria.

Permalink Reply by Luke Deer on November 17, 2013 at 8:31pm

If you are going with a planted dirt tank, then you don't need a big filter at all. Just make sure you plant it heavily and you can go with a cheap hang on the back filter. That is why I love planted tanks so much, you can just plant them like crazy, make them look awesome, and stock the hell out of them. They almost take care of themselves. Weekly water change of thirty percent or so and you are all set. 

Permalink Reply by Robert Jango on November 18, 2013 at 8:01am

An interesting side note:

I kept and bred Discus in a tank with no filter - just plants. But it was a ton of plants. The Water Sprite grew 2 feet above the surface and 2 feet below. I swear that tank was 75% plants and 25% water.  I've since added a filter but you can definitely make plants your primary or only filter. In an interesting video UaruJoey implied (but did not state explicitly) that an algae scrubber can drastically reduce the need for water changes. It something worth thinking about.

Permalink Reply by Kenneth Philabaum on November 18, 2013 at 8:27am

Even though it's primarily going to be my breeding tank I was going to have a heavy plant load in it. Even if I didn't need to I enjoy my water changes and just have become part of my routine now so not worried about that. Going off what people have said I may just go with a heavy plant load and just run my Fluval U series even though it's under the rating for this size tank, but it will at least give some water flow. Should that be OK?

Permalink Reply by Luke Deer on November 18, 2013 at 6:00pm

Sounds good to me. I think you will be well off with that set up. 

Permalink Reply by Luke Deer on November 18, 2013 at 6:02pm

I just like water changes because it seems to cause my plants to grow almost overnight. It also is supposed to restock the water with some minerals that helps plants grow. I'm far from an expert, just what I like to stick with. 

Permalink Reply by Kenneth Philabaum on November 19, 2013 at 1:47am

Now thats all sorted just need to go pick up the tank and grab another heater for it. Then I can get started. Thanks for all the great input folks, much appreciated.