Fighting A Loosing Battle?

[VaegaVic]

is it bad to keep catfish with gravel? every catfish i have ever owned lived in gravel. oops!

It depends on the species, but the ones with little barbels can get them damaged between the stones when nosing about in the gravel.

Sand stops these issues.

Actually its more to do with the bacteria that breed between the gravel due to the fish waste down there. The bacteria latch on whilst the catfish are nosing and can give them a nasty infection, eating away at the barbel.

Sand eliminates this as there is no nasty-barbel eating bacteria.

 

[Malt_Vinegar]

Actually its more to do with the bacteria that breed between the gravel due to the fish waste down there. The bacteria latch on whilst the catfish are nosing and can give them a nasty infection, eating away at the barbel.

Sand eliminates this as there is no nasty-barbel eating bacteria.

Thanks for the correction! Noted.

 

[CrystalClear16]

Hmm so how do you place the powerheads to push the dirt around but not cloud the water with sand?

In my Trigon, i run a small power head pointing down from the back corner towards the front right corner, and this seems to give the floor a really good flow down to the external pickup in the bottom back corner

If it isn't too much trouble, would you mind posting a pic to show the angle?

 

[Malt_Vinegar]

Something like that

 

[Twinklecaz]

What do you attach powerheads to? I never really understand what they are or what their purpose is?

 

[VaegaVic]

What do you attach powerheads to? I never really understand what they are or what their purpose is?

Basically an internal filter without the filter part, just the motor. They're used to circulate more water.

 

[Twinklecaz]

Oh ok thanks. People seem to talk about them when they talk about Externals so I wasn't sure if the two were linked or what.

 

[VaegaVic]

Oh ok thanks. People seem to talk about them when they talk about Externals so I wasn't sure if the two were linked or what.

Yea, generally they're used to provide extra flow in the tank as externals are used more as biological media buckets (unless you go large).

 

[Twinklecaz]

I think maybe a powerhead will take up too much room in my 60L that already has an internal filter and a heater. I really need to think about getting an external but I want one that's silent!

 

[Malt_Vinegar]

I think maybe a powerhead will take up too much room in my 60L that already has an internal filter and a heater. I really need to think about getting an external but I want one that's silent!

I have an ancient fluval external, and that is silent? Have you tried one before, what makes you think they are loud?

 

[Twinklecaz]

I dunno, I've mentioned it before and the best people seem to say is it's "quiet".

Oooo really, I'm gonna look into that one then. Is it a particular make of Fluval?

 

[Malt_Vinegar]

I think its a 305.

Its sat under my tank in the cabinet in my living room. The only time i ever hear it is if air gets into the system, or i let the water level drop and I can hear the tinkle of the water re-entering the tank.

 

[WILDER]

Gravel fine as long as it round and smooth. Has no sharp edges.

 

[CrystalClear16]

Something like that

Thank you for that, I think I get it now!

I am afraid as I have never used a powerhead before, I don't know anything about them. Would someone mind answering a few questions on them?

- Should they be used instead of bubble curtains? Or as well as?
- How do you know which is best for your tank? I had a look and they only give the LPH.
- How easy are they to clean?
- Is the whole thing internal (aside from the power cable of course!) and do they look bulky?

Thankyou!

 

[ian]

Something like that

thats exactly how i run my Trigon with the powerhead, i'm still using the good old Juwel internal and its doing great with the additional powerhead. I have the powerhead where your 'Exaust' is.