which filter media - overhead spraybar style

[kevin82]

evening folks, I've been away from fish keeping for a very long time but after moving house the kids have finally convinced me to get a small tank. I've been given a BOYU ec600 66L tank with a pump and spray bar into a filter tray. I used to have a Fluval Roma 240 with external filter so unsure what media to use on this type of filter.

I also need a heater and light bar and will source these from amazon for quickness but didn't want to spend a lot until I knew the kids were going to help out, then I've find the equivalent to a square tank similar to the jewel lido 120/200

thanks, Kev

 

[Essjay]

Can you post a photo of the filter? These trickle filters often have separate compartments for different types of media and it would be useful to see exactly how yours is arranged.

 

[kevin82]

its a boyu submersible pump with a spray bar

 

[Essjay]

It should be possible to use sponge and/or ceramic media either both parts the same or one in each one. Perhaps with a layer of filter floss on top of the ceramics, if you choose to use them. Any make filter sponge as long as you can shape it to fit with no gaps round the outside.

If the bar is removable, another alternative would be to replace it with a standard internal filter.

 

[kevin82]

I'm leaning that way and have been looking at them. is the fluvial u2 worth it or would one of the cheaper models be any good? ideally I want to use some ceramic media as well as sponges

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

I'm leaning that way and have been looking at them. is the fluvial u2 worth it or would one of the cheaper models be any good? ideally I want to use some ceramic media as well as sponges

I'm one of those who believes that you usually get what you pay for and going cheap isn't always the best option*. Consider any investments you make now in equipment as 'future-proofing' and can possibly be applied to bigger tanks later on.
*I've been impressed by very cheap sponge filters in small tanks, powered by a simple aerator. If you have multiple, multiple, small tanks, these may be the way to go.
However...
Such a small, cheap and simple filter would not be of much use in a bigger tank, with a higher bioload/number of fish, etc.

 

[Slaphppy7]

I prefer filters outside of the tank, for me, internal filters take up room in the tank that my fish should be using, and when I look into my tanks, I want to see my fish and 'scape, not equipment.

This tank is about 17 USG, there's many HOB filters you could consider that would work just fine.

 

[kevin82]

i was looking at the fluval u2 as I had an older model in a hospital tank years ago, and then can across an external option https://www.allpondsolutions.co.uk/ef-150-400-l-h/ which has the same flow rating of 400L/ph. would this be overkill if its rated the same as the fluval u2 or would I have to turn the flow rate down on the u2?

 

[Slaphppy7]

i was looking at the fluval u2 as I had an older model in a hospital tank years ago, and then can across an external option https://www.allpondsolutions.co.uk/ef-150-400-l-h/ which has the same flow rating of 400L/ph. would this be overkill if its rated the same as the fluval u2 or would I have to turn the flow rate down on the u2?

Personally, I wouldn't even consider a canister for that size of a tank, I'd go with the simplicity of a HOB (hang-on-back) filter....I like the AquaClears, currently have 5 of them running...an AC50 would work fine on that tank

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000260FUM/?tag=ff0d01-20

 

[kevin82]

just seeing the numbers that seems excessive as I'm sure I remember something like turning your capacity over 4-5 times per hour so 66x4=264lph (or 330lph if 5x). I'm I making this up or remember correctly? thanks again

 

[kevin82]

Personally, I wouldn't even consider a canister for that size of a tank, I'd go with the simplicity of a HOB (hang-on-back) filter....I like the AquaClears, currently have 5 of them running...an AC50 would work fine on that tank

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000260FUM/?tag=ff0d01-20

the issue Id have with a HOB would be the fitted hood, and would mean a lot of cutting

 

[Slaphppy7]

the issue Id have with a HOB would be the fitted hood, and would mean a lot of cutting

Ahhh, I see...no chance of replacing that hood with a glass lid, and a nice LED fixture?

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

i was looking at the fluval u2 as I had an older model in a hospital tank years ago, and then can across an external option https://www.allpondsolutions.co.uk/ef-150-400-l-h/ which has the same flow rating of 400L/ph. would this be overkill if its rated the same as the fluval u2 or would I have to turn the flow rate down on the u2?

Flow can sometimes be reduced by adding a larger outlet pipe, or funnel, (think blunderbuss)...or adding some sponge over the outlet.