Best thing I've learned and done for crystal clear water

Sponge... That's it.

I don't use filter floss, I got rid of all the expensive biomedia . Replaced everything with 30 PPI and 45 PPI sponge, I went with Swiss Tropicals. This goldfish tank has never been more stable and more clean and water so clear than just using sponge.

And if this works for the poop factories that are my goldfish, has to work for any freshwater tank. My planted tank is same, tossed the BS biomedia and replaced the HOB canister with just regular 30 PPI and 45 PPI sponge, that's it. No filter floss needed and water is super clear.

I've concluded simple is better. Simple canister or sump designs, large space for more sponge. No weird setups like Oase or Fluval with their obsession with bizarre water flows, and confounding and confusing Fluval's obsession with tiny filter baskets. Yes I've concluded Fluval makes the worst canisters. Just simple water drain, water comes up through huge baskets.

Maybe this will help someone skip all the BS that is the aquatic filtration industry.

Also I rinse all my sponge in tap water, no problems either.

 

Really no need to rinse sponges out. A bi-yearly simple squeezing out over a maintenance bucket is usually enough.
I agree, sponges are very effective filter media. Been using them exclusively for many years.

 

All in with Swiss Tropicals.
My sump on my 180 uses them media.
The info on sponges found their site might surprise some bio media nuts.

 

I agree that sponge is the best media for biological filtration in most filters, and also use the Poret foam from Swiss Tropicals in my HOB units.

Speaking of crystal clear water, I have always achieved it when using the simple, old school undergravel filter... even when used on its own.

 

Really no need to rinse sponges out. A bi-yearly simple squeezing out over a maintenance bucket is usually enough.
I agree, sponges are very effective filter media. Been using them exclusively for many years.

I've heard you needed to rinse sponge filters out with tank water from the tank and this always seemed a bit odd to me, as the only difference between my tank water and tap water is my tank water is dechlorinated and has been around longer.

 

I've heard you needed to rinse sponge filters out with tank water from the tank and this always seemed a bit odd to me, as the only difference between my tank water and tap water is my tank water is dechlorinated and has been around longer.

Well obviously chlorine will kill bacteria including beneficial ones but I’ve never seen any evidence that the usual chlorine levels in tap water are high enough to cause any harm if just giving media a quick rinse.

 

i never used a sponge but I'd like to try it in my canister filter instead of the foam disks for a change.

I agree that sponge is the best media for biological filtration in most filters, and also use the Poret foam from Swiss Tropicals in my HOB units.

Speaking of crystal clear water, I have always achieved it when using the simple, old school undergravel filter... even when used on its own.

I would agree with that also I'm using a undergravel filter in my tank and the water is crystal clear also. It's nice to know some people are still using them i don't think they get the credit it deserves. A lot of people there outdated and almost obsolete now, but i still think it has many benefits for an aquarium.

 

Nice to know and glad not everyone is just following the herd. You forgot to mention Fluval canister filters are ridiculously expensive. In Australia here an FX6 is around $800.

I'm thinking I've building my own canister and agree simple is best. When I do I'll try the foam exclusive idea. No chemical media no other stuff.

 

I've heard you needed to rinse sponge filters out with tank water from the tank and this always seemed a bit odd to me, as the only difference between my tank water and tap water is my tank water is dechlorinated and has been around longer.

Well obviously chlorine will kill bacteria including beneficial ones but I’ve never seen any evidence that the usual chlorine levels in tap water are high enough to cause any harm if just giving media a quick rinse.

There was a study done, for really mature media, especially a year or more..... That the media would need to be rinsed in tap water for almost an hour in order to wipe out the whole colony. So if you have well established media, rinsing real quick in tap would basically do little or no harm. It's only really detrimental to say someone who is trying to cycle their current media or really immature media.

 

From the Swiss Tropical site;
Q: how do rinse Poret® foam sheets?

A: the easiest way is outside in the yard or driveway using a garden hose. Simply bang the sheet flat on the ground several times (Note: I recommend not wearing your best outfit doing this) to shake out the filter sludge, then rinse with the hose; repeat until the water coming out is relatively clean. Don’t overdo it! Sufficient microorganisms will survive this procedure to quickly re-establish the biology of the filter. It does not matter if you use cold or chlorine-treated water! The often repeated notion that this process would kill all the filter organisms is complete nonsense, because the residual chlorine concentration in drinking water is way too low to kill them.

 

Less organic carbon / more dissolved oxygen improves clarity.

 

Really no need to rinse sponges out. A bi-yearly simple squeezing out over a maintenance bucket is usually enough.
I agree, sponges are very effective filter media. Been using them exclusively for many years.

So I made the mistake of using 45 PPI at the top and been having good results but have to do frequent maintenance.

Trying to do what you said, spoke with Swiss Tropicals and now have 20PPI on the way. Will have 2 trays with 20s and 2 with 30s, hopefully be able to do what you suggested.

I'll be curious but read of any other anecdote of having success with goldfish, these ranchu just poop so much. If this works, I'll be simply amazed and very very happy. I'd be happy with just doing maintenance once or every 2 months, but if can go for 6 months be simply amazing.

 

Nice to know and glad not everyone is just following the herd. You forgot to mention Fluval canister filters are ridiculously expensive. In Australia here an FX6 is around $800.

I must say they are expensive you can get them for about $650 on eBay but it is by far the best canister filter I’ve ever used makes water change a breeze I find them easy to clean when the time comes. I have 2 of them now and love them

 

I'd be happy with just doing maintenance once or every 2 months, but if can go for 6 months be simply amazing.

I really dont think a filter, sponges or no, will achieve this with Goldfish. They are really messy fish.

What are your nitrate levels in your tank? Just curious.

 

I have none. Green carpet algae + weekly change. I dose liquid fertilizer each water change for the algae.

Also the 6 month plan, that was from goldfish owner. Another who does this with FX6, says he does it every 8 months. I am hopeful for every 2-3 months as Whale 500s are smaller than FX6.

 

I must say they are expensive you can get them for about $650 on eBay but it is by far the best canister filter I’ve ever used makes water change a breeze I find them easy to clean when the time comes. I have 2 of them now and love them

I'll admit they are certainly by far the best filters I have (I have an FX5 & FX6 on my biggest tank). Just the self-priming feature alone is great.