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Post by plecoman on Feb 2, 2010 22:03:11 GMT -6
My 75 gal. tank is 3/4" wide at the top. I need to know what hob filters will work on that wide edge. Anything but aquaclear. I know that they are the best working filters out, but I can't get them to restart after they've been down for an hour or more. In case of power outtage I need something that will prime itself and start back up after a possible outtage if I'm out of town.
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Post by oneyoda on Feb 3, 2010 17:08:48 GMT -6
What about a H.O.T. Magnum filter? I used one awhile back and liked it. My sister is currently running one on her set-up. I know if I can find one used ill snap it up just to have!
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Post by jgentry on Feb 3, 2010 17:23:07 GMT -6
Emporer 400 should work fine. They are not the best biological filters but you can use the filter trays that come with them and some filter floss and not have to buy filter cartriges. They are pretty good for the price.
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Post by plecoman on Feb 3, 2010 20:38:01 GMT -6
Thanks for the info. I got a Fluval 405 today on ebay for $149.99 plus free shipping. It was my first bid on ebay and I got the filter. This will be my first canister filter, so I'll see how it does when I get it in a couple of days. I may still add one of the hob's just for good measure! ;D
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Post by plecoman on Feb 4, 2010 17:06:48 GMT -6
The way the outflow tube is placed in the tank, as recommended by fluval, it will be a few inches under the water. Will this put enough oxygen in the water? Surely it will. I mean why would they recommend setting them up this way if it didn't put enough oxygen in the water. I know I can add an hob filter, air stones, or even buy a fluval spray bar, but do you think this filter would be enough by itself?  |
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Post by thorace on Feb 4, 2010 17:59:31 GMT -6
i would just get a hob filter its good to have a backup ..i have at least 2 filters on my tanks and on the 125 i have 2 emperors and 1 canister...
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Post by sirknight on Feb 4, 2010 18:02:50 GMT -6
The 405 is a good filter for bio however it is a closed system, air stones will help put oxygen in the water. What you want to create is an water-air exchange. The 405 setup by itself will not do this unless you add the spray bar and place it above the water line.
What I have on my 75 is the 405 and an aquaclear. The aquaclear overflow seats above the water line and overflows into the tank creating the air and water exchange. Please note that I am not recommending this filter I have three and this is the only one that is still working. You can add any HOB filter internal filter sponge filter for the exchange or just a simple air diffuser (air stone). You should also keep in mind that the 405 does not produce oxygen and if left off for a few hours if used as a bio filter can cause major problems(pollute your tank). I am not saying not to use it but just keep this in mind.
Also depending on your fish load it may not be large enough for your tank as a stand alone filter.
Joe
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Post by plecoman on Feb 4, 2010 21:12:01 GMT -6
Thanks for the information everyone! I was concerned about the oxygen when I saw that the outflow tube was under water. I don't have an hob that will fit the lip of the 75 yet, but I can get one. I do have the air stones that I can use until I get one. I going to use this tank to grow pleco's into young adults. I'm planning on keeping 150 to 200 in this tank, and I will also vaccum the gravel at least twice a week because that many pleco's make a lot of poop! LOL..... I do love the idea of the spray bar. I've just been looking at them online and they are cheap too. Thanks again for you thoughts!
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Post by plecoman on Feb 5, 2010 17:47:34 GMT -6
That's a good idea! What do you use to hold the end cap on the pipe with? Silicone?
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Post by sirknight on Feb 5, 2010 18:08:19 GMT -6
PVC Glue, silicone will not hold.
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Post by plecoman on Feb 7, 2010 13:00:24 GMT -6
I now have the 75 up and running in the garage. The fluval 405 is working great! Plenty of circulation, even more than I thought. I don't have a spray bar set up yet. I do have a large air stone that is about 4" long that I may put in there. I have the large piece of driftwood soaking again and the garage temp is now 70 degrees, thanks to two oil filled radiator heaters. I'm going to squeeze my sponge filters out real good in the tank so that the filter will pick up all that junk and get some bacteria started in the fluval. I'm also going to move the gravel from the 46, that the pleco's are in, to the 75. That should also have lot's of bacteria in it as well. Hopefully, in about a week, I'll be moving pleco's into that tank. If all goes well, I'll start setting up some more tanks out there soon.
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Post by sirknight on Feb 7, 2010 17:40:29 GMT -6
what you are doing should get the tank started very fast.
Joe
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