filtration

[JDFish]

I Had an external filter for over a year now but today it began to leak. i replaced it with an internal 160 litre filter for the time being. I remember being told to go totally overkill on filtration but is that really needed? My tank is only 160 litres.

 

[Demeter32]

That depends on the stock of the tank. If the tank is full of messy fish (live bearers, goldies, Africans etc) then you should over filter the tank. If it's just low bioload fish then a filter rated for your tank size should be enough. You should also look into what type of flow your stock prefers. I generally like to go a size up from what the tank is.

Also look at the gallons filtered per hour (gph). You'd want to have around 8 times the turn over rate, so for a 160L (40gal) you would want somewhere around 320gph. Again, this depends on the stocking of the tank.

 

[NickAu]

He makes some interesting points.

 

[Colin_T]

Clean the old filter materials out in a bucket of water and put them in the tank. Chances are your old filter is leaking at the O-ring and you can replace them easily and cheaply. Before replacing that, you can also try smearing a thin layer of Vaseline around the O-ring and see if that helps it seat properly.

 

[Lunar Jetman]

He makes some interesting points.

Interesting video and ideas there NickAu.

Just remember that this guy telling you the Biohome media is the best around, runs the filterpro company selling Biohome products so whilst I don't doubt the stuff is good, its in his interests that you buy the stuff. Other products are available!

 

[NickAu]

Im not suggesting you buy the filter media ( its great stuff I have it in my canisters) but it gives you an idea on how filters work and how to set them up.

Chances are your old filter is leaking at the O-ring

Wouldn't that be easily spotted? Look for the wet spot around the filter.