filtration ok? or not so much

Hello


20 gallon long

30-40 gallon filter, filter floss bag stuffed with seachem matrix
15 gallon tank filter submersible- filter floss bag stuffed with matrix



20 gallon hex high
30-40 gallon filter, filter floss bag stuffed with seachem matrix with purigen bag added to extra space in back.
15 gallon tank filter submersible- filter floss bag stuffed with matrix



I figure this replicates canister filters and picks up the sludge before it can attach to the matrix balls?

The one issue i'm having is filthy filter pads on the 20 gallon long, the floss is perpetually dirty, but the tank is clean and the plants and fish are flourishing. Everything ok with this setup?


Thank you!

Sam

I would be inclined to not use either product, since you mention live plants. And these tanks are both quite small so the fish load will presumably be small-sized species. Taken together, filtration should be minimal and not involve chemical at all. These products claim to remove ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, and the plants need ammonia/ammonium as their preferred nitrogen source. Nitrite and nitrate should not be an issue under these circumstances.

The other aspect is the water current; again the small tanks usually require very little current for the type of fish normally housed in such tanks. This over time could be an impediment for the health of the fish.

Is there a reason you feel this mega-filtration is needed, or was it just advice?

Current is perfect, Its broken up by wood, caves, java moss, swords or all varietys, and the frogbit seems to be ok. I have seen no issues with fish at all they can be stationary if they want too.,.
I have 6 h rasboras, 5 cory catfish, 6 cherry barb and a dwarf gourami.

and I have always used heavy filtration, i have a lot of debris in my tank and it is stocked quite heavily.

Just want to know if the filtration technique is acceptable? Matrix is just a porous media. Are the bacteria cleaning the water that is being passed through? Seachem said there is nothing added to them chemically. It just provides surface area to develop the beneficial bact.

i use root tabs and flourish so im not worried about the product stealing nutrients, im having issues with the plants growing too fast if anything. Seachem said both products leave enough trace for the plants .

How would you set up the filters in this tank?

samsss said:

Current is perfect, and I have always used heavy filtration, i have a lot of debris in my tank and it is stocked quite heavily.

Just want to know if the filtration technique is acceptable? Matrix is just a porous media. Are they cleaning the water being passed through?

i use root tabs and flourish so im not worried about the product stealing nutrients, im having issues with the plants growing too fast if anything. Seachem said both products leave enough trace for the plants .

How would you set up the filters in this tank?

Click to expand...

Heavy filtration is a myth because you cannot ever have more "filtration" than what the system supports no matter how many filters or how large the filters are, and once you go past the necessary "filter" you begin to work against benefit and promote detriment.

I would not use more than a dual sponge filter in such small tanks. I have this in my 10g, 20g, 29g and 40g tanks. But I have small fish that come from fairly quiet waters, not raging torrents, so the water flow must be kept minimal if I want healthy fish. Fish having to battle a current 24/7 will be stressed and worn out much faster.

What is your "debris" then? If your tanks are overstocked, filtration is not the answer. You cannot compensate tank stocking with more or faster filters. For one thing, too fast a flow will negate not encourage nitrification in the filter. And the fish being "inconvenienced" only adds to the biological problem.

Using artificial fertilizers beyond what you need can harm fish. It is better for the fish to use nature as much as one can, and resort to additives only if absolutely necessary.

There is minimal current, again its broken up. my filter is set at a lower setting, it doesn't rip. Lots of leaf matter on the bottom. Not worried about the current effecting the fishes health. My fish are active , and they are social and breeding constantly. I just let my gourami eat the fry, he has been keeping the populations in check, Im 79 percent stocked based on aqadvisor.

So again, all i want to know is how to set up the filter to optimize filtration via the HOB filter. Not interested in a canister or a sponge filter at this moment.

Honestly sounds like i can just put a sponge in it and bingo its all set. Just searched the forum. Seems plenty have been doing it.

this was a month ago, but it has grown far thicker.

That is a nice aquascape, I like that. I would go with a dual sponge filter connected to an air pump. Or a small internal power filter that is actually nothing beyond the same thing only with the motor negating the air pump. You can get a bit more current with the internal power filter. I have an Aqueon QuietFlow Internal Power Filter in my 33g, and have used it in my 4-foot 70g with very good results.

Just got it , thank you. You are obviously far more knowledgeable than I. I appreciate the help. If it works for you I’ll take three chamce haha. Thanks again!