Extra filtration options ??

I have a recently setup Juwel rio 180 tank with built in bio filtration . (nearly 5 months )
As yet I know it is early days but I am not over impressed with the filtration .
How can I improve the filtration I was thinking about adding an extra filter , should it be internal or external , does anyone have any recommendations ?? Thanks

 

Do you need extra filtration because of water quality or to keep the tank cleaner?

 

Would like the water to be crystal clear my readings are all about zero PH 6.8 ?

 

near 0 and 0 are two very different things

It sounds like particulates in the water is the problem. If the water is looking dirty, then adding a second filter is a good idea. If it's just not clear (I don't want to say cloudy, but very small particles affecting clarity can make the water look somewhat cloudy), then adding some sort of water polisher to the current filter may do the job.

 

Will try a water polisher first thank you

 

Can anyone explain to me how external filters work , what will the tubes to the filter connect to in the tank it self ?
I have been looking at the fluval filters are they any good ??? THANKS

 

You should get a HOB aqueon filter. So for example if your tank is 30 gallon get the 20 gallon filter. I am assuming your tank is around 180L which is around 48G so you would want to get an aqueon 55 and it should work well.

I'm not very experienced with external filters but I think for a tank of your size that would be too strong.

 

If water clarity is what you're looking for HOB is the last thing I would recommend. The hoses are very simple to connect and are very simple to understand. You will notice this once you try it or with a bit of research.

Recent fluvals are a great idea. Most have only good reviews so it will be a good idea for both extra bio filtration and picking up debris, even the smaller stuff and hence keeping the water cleaner.

How is your internal filter setup? Is it in the hood or in the tank or what?

 

I think my next project is my 29 Tall. Currently a High metabolism, high current tank. Thick, porous undergravel filter powered by a 260 GPH submersible powerhead and a 160 GPH Hang Over Back. Circulates contents over 15 times per hour. Aimed properly and well planted even small Tetras thrive and school. I am considering matching the 260 GPH powerhead on the opposite side on the redo (and stocking with a little larger fish). This gives more options to cancel current through positioning and increases GPH through the undergravel but eliminates the HOB filter. I'm planning on using a gentle, air powered twin sponge filter to replace it. With excess biological filtration, driftwood, plants etc. sufficient to effect current and a thick substrate, I have had great success up to 24 X per hour circulation. Sometimes requires a flat stone placed under rooted plants.

Not saying this is the route you should go but illustrating how I am using a simple sponge filter to enhance another system. Easy, affordable, hideable, internal and effective. (Don't forget a relief valve on the airline).

 

Can anyone explain to me how external filters work , what will the tubes to the filter connect to in the tank it self ?
I have been looking at the fluval filters are they any good ??? THANKS

External filters work by taking water out of the aquarium, and running it through the filtration media, and returning it to the tank.

I assume you are specifically referring to canister filters?

Canister filters have a 'drain' line, that uses gravity to siphon the water into the canister itself. The canister then has a pump in it to return the now filtered water back to the tank through a return line, and typically use a spray bar inside the tank to disperse the water around.

Here's three links that might help you understand.

Filters and Filtration
- An introduction to how filtration works

- Whilst specifically about the Eheim Classic filters, the principles of a canister filter remain the same

- A great guide to what to look for when choosing a filter, includes HOB and canisters, with details by model for different filters

 

Thanks everyone . My next question I keep only small fish and freshwater shrimps , if I install an external filter will my little fish get sucked up . Unfortunately I managed to suck up some baby shrimp this morning despite having a fish guard on while doing a water change (they were ok though when I returned them to the tank the fish thought it was a treat of live food !!!

 

Many members have success covering the filter inlet (strainer) with clean, brand new, never seen detergent pantyhose.

 

Healthy fish will not get sucked up by the filter.

As far as covering the intake, the net from a fish net will work well as well.

 

Healthy fish will not get sucked up by the filter.

As far as covering the intake, the net from a fish net will work well as well.

Agreed. Only fry can get sucked up, and even then it's so rare on a healthy fish. Any fish should be able to handle the currents in your tanks. They easily adapt to this just as they will outside the aquarium.

Any fine material/sponge can cover the intake.

 

Thanks but won't a sponge stop the filtration process ??

 

Not stop, but yes anything that you put over the intake will impede the flow of water to varying degrees.

 

It will if this sponge is:

1. Too high Density (very fine)
2. Not cleaned well/often enough
3. Not set up correctly.
4. Too large/deep for a current to pull through it.

 

I seem to be getting a lot of baby shrimp hatching so I must be doing something wright . Perhaps if I decided to go for the extra filter this would be natures way of thinning them out !! (sort of) Not sure what shrimp I have yet as they are not the same colour as the parents I am sure that some have a blue tint ! Adults are cherry ,lemon cherry , crystal , jopanica and bee shrimp black and white . I think the shrimp are quite interesting and remind me of little submarines when they swim lol !

 

As with any growing colony - it will grow to be at equilibrium with the food supply.

 

As with any growing colony - it will grow to be at equilibrium with the food supply.

Precisely. OVerfeeding will result in overpopulation and vice versa. They can e a good indicator of how much you rare feeding your tank.

 

Hey all!

I have 2 extra filters, a penguin 200 and a aqueoun quiet flow 20.

I want to have extra filtration on my 29, and I have a Tetra Whisper 10-30i.

I feel the penguin 300 (rated for 50 gal) will be too much filtration added on, and the aqueoun (rated 20 gal) would be not enough. What do you guys think?

 

I'd go with the penguin... But imo their is no such thing as to much filtration

 

Since it would be extra filtration (an second filter) it really will not matter which you use, so long as your main filter was doing the job.

 

I was debating on to use an extra filter or not in my 20gal long. But is there a point if my main filter is doing the job? Do I get a bigger filter than the one graded for its size? I have a filter graded as a 20gal filter. Should I have gotten a bigger one? I'm thinking of making one, how would I do this for my size tank?

 

Since it would be extra filtration (an second filter) it really will not matter which you use, so long as your main filter was doing the job.

Well currently my tank is a little above filter capacity, so I was trying to figure out which one to go with.

 

There's no such thing as too much filtration. Usually when people are saying there filter is too much they mean that the flow is too strong. Since its a second filter it doesn't matter which one you add.

 

I agree! I have 2 HOBS on my 36 gallon. The stock one was rated at 200 gph ( which was the bare minimum, if that ) so I added another one rated at 400 gph. Together with 600 gph, my water is crystal clean and I have tons of media in each, more filtration then needed!
Having the extra media seeding is how I am able to start up my QT tank at a moments notice so it works great that way!

 

To add a filter, what do I have to do? Nothing special? Just set up?
Will it cause a mini-cycle?

 

To add a filter, what do I have to do? Nothing special? Just set up?
Will it cause a mini-cycle?

It should not cause a minI cycle if you already have the one filter in there running with the existing media. Just set it up, put your new media in the new filter and VOILA!

 

To add a filter, what do I have to do? Nothing special? Just set up?
Will it cause a mini-cycle?

Are you taking it off another tank? I don't know why it would cause a minI cycle. . . .

 

Are you taking it off another tank? I don't know why it would cause a minI cycle. . . .

No. Brand new.

 

A minI cycle is when BB is removed from the tank (or additional bioload added) and there is still enough BB to change some but not all ammonia into nitrite and nitrite into nitrate.

 

Adding a new filter should not cause any kind of cycle, unless you are removing an old filter at the same time. A cycle is caused when the bioload increases or the BB decreases. Adding a new filter causes neither of these. An added benefit, as the new filter runs, it will collect BB, so that at some point it could be placed on another tank and that tank would be instantly cycled. (that might cause a mini-cycle on the tank that had the filter removed). Also, if you keep lots of filter media in your filters, you can steal some to create a cycled Q/T or hospital tank.

Emily

 

It seems I have a new question every day since joining this forum. But it is fun learning from you guys.

So I have a 36 gallon bowfront with typical equipment (heater, gravel, anacharis, marimo moss ball, fake plants, holey rock, decorations and what not). Finnex Planted+ as my light...not sure that matters with the question but included just in case.

My question is, I'm planning on keeping this tank fully stocked or close to it at all times. And many thanks to the multitude of people on here that have helped me figure out what stock I want and will be right for my tank.

I currently have a Marineland Penguin 200 (rated for 50 gallons) on my tank. I see some people have two filters on their tanks and my question is, is it worth it to invest in another filter? Now I'm not about to lay down 100 bucks or more for one of those sweet canister filters but potentially another HOB or something. Would that be beneficial or am I just overthinking this and the Penguin will be just fine?

 

I like to have double the filtration or better on mine. My 40 gallon has a 92g rated canister filter and my new 55 currently has one aquaclear 70g HOB but I plan on getting another as it will be a cichlid tank and from what I've seen its best to overstock their tanks for aggression. No such thing as too much filtration

 

Does anyone have a suggestion on a good second filter that isn't a canister? The quieter the better. The penguin doesn't get to loud but it had on occasion

 

I personally love the aquaclear series because I can use any filter media like you can do in canisters

 

Imo double filtration is essential in keeping fish with large bio loads

Sent from my SM-G920P using Fish Lore Aquarium Fish Forum mobile app

 

Have you considered a canister filter such as the Fluval 206? Its rated at 206 GPH, which is more than enough filtration for a 36 gallon.

 

I'm not wanting to drop a hundred bucks on a canister when I already have 1 filter. Was looking for something other than a canister that is decently quiet

What do you consider fish with large bioloads other than a pleco