Two filters. I'm going to deversify!

[663]

Now I don't wanna sound like the cheap old fishgeezer, but maybe there's a better way...

Fascinating post. Your sense of simplicity coupled with an eye for "new and better" speaks well of you. Please, tell me that you have your own blog or youtube channel? ?

 

[DAnCSF]

We are indeed in similar circumstances. Am I right to assume that plants consume more than just nitrates in a planted tank? I'm nowhere near a truly planted tank, having only a few moss balls at the moment. One big reason for my considering chemical media in one filter is to remove contaminates at a reduced rate is to avoid some form of backlash after not using mats like Seachem Renew or Matrix Carbon for months. Also, with waterchanges alone I'm approaching legend-level nitrate PPM.

Since my tank now has lifeforms (moss balls) that I have no experience with, I needed some idea that I'm not hurting or impoverishing any thing with my meatball thinking. I'm now into waterchanges and testing like I should have been the entire time . In regards to your situation, I'd very much like to know the make and model of your HOB, and the number and type of fish that you own. One of the cool aspects of this place is that I get to live vicariously through you guys. ?

Hello 633, I have a Marineland 450 w/ Sponge over the intake, both sides currently have replaceable media filter cartridges that I fill with small bioballs, ceramic bio rings and filter floss. It's in a 40 gal bowfront tank - fish- load is 3 angels, a rather large pleco, 6 small loaches, 6 glass cats, 3 hillside loaches, finally 7 congo tetras. yes I know the tank is over-load, and yes I'm changing 10 gallons every week...but hey it seems to work or me. Numbers: ammon .25 -.5, Nitrites, 0 - .25, Nitrates 40-60, GH 2-3, kH 3-4, ph 7.5 8, temp 78. And before all you fish nerds start howling about overloaded tanks, I like lots of fish and keep careful watch on the parameters. By the way this particular tank up to about a month ago only had a Dempsey, T-Barb and large common pleco...who all moved to a 100 gal. At that time I used activated charcoal and filter floss in the 450. Oh yea there are LOTS of plants in the tank too....Yes I've probably done everything wrong in a classic sense but then again this was an unusual case and it seems to be working out .

 

[663]

Hello 633, I have a Marineland 450 w/ Sponge over the intake, both sides currently have replaceable media filter cartridges that I fill with small bioballs, ceramic bio rings and filter floss. It's in a 40 gal bowfront tank - fish- load is 3 angels, a rather large pleco, 6 small loaches, 6 glass cats, 3 hillside loaches, finally 7 congo tetras.

Seems fabulous to me Dan, and very well maintained too. Is that 450 an Emperor v2, if so you have a real beast there. A fair sight more than I thought possible in current HOB's, considering the industry wants to sell as many cannisters as possible. Can you suggest a level 1 plant, for a naive plant newbie? Considering what I now see as major benefits for a planted tank, I want to proceed in an intelligent way. Pics of your setup please? Inspire our exploits! ?

 

[DAnCSF]

Seems fabulous to me Dan, and very well maintained too. Is that 450 an Emperor v2, if so you have a real beast there. A fair sight more than I thought possible in current HOB's, considering the industry wants to sell as many cannisters as possible. Can you suggest a level 1 plant, for a naive plant newbie? Considering what I now see as major benefits for a planted tank, I want to proceed in an intelligent way. Pics of your setup please? Inspire our exploits! ?

Seems fabulous to me Dan, and very well maintained too. Is that 450 an Emperor v2, if so you have a real beast there. A fair sight more than I thought possible in current HOB's, considering the industry wants to sell as many cannisters as possible. Can you suggest a level 1 plant, for a naive plant newbie? Considering what I now see as major benefits for a planted tank, I want to proceed in an intelligent way. Pics of your setup please? Inspire our exploits! ?

Morning 633 - it's the Marineland Emp 450 v1 - yup a huge filter I went with it when I restated with my 40 - at the time I just bought into the bio-wheel concept and figured bigger badder was best. It worked very well for a time. you can't beat the flow rate.. I think the newer Pro line with the in water pump seem to be much better. And as I said I now use replaceable media cartridges. Plants, well the plant forum has all the experts but for me I've good luck with: Jungle Vallisneria, Java Ferns, Ambulia, In my pics I've also got some rescued plants which I think are amazon swords. Seems to me they do need root tabs. I don't have any fancy lights or CO2 stuff for the plants but I do dose with SeaChem flourish.

 

[AbbeysDad]

Fascinating post. Your sense of simplicity coupled with an eye for "new and better" speaks well of you. Please, tell me that you have your own blog or youtube channel? ?

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