Brown Diatoms in Filter

[goldenpuon]

I have had a problem with brown diatoms growing in the filter for quite some time but have been ignoring it since it hasn't harmed my tank over than being a noisence and increasing the amount of time I spend cleaning.

To explain, several months ago, my Whisper HOB broke. So I bought an AquaClear HOB (which is supposed to be slightly better).

The AquaClear HOB is a see-through filter made of some type of plastic-like material.

But what I noticed when I got it is it brown algae grew in it and also showed up in my aquarium at about the time it was due for a cleaning. Also the filter itself has required more cleanings than my other filters do on average/ doesn't seem to do as good a job removing mulm from the water column as my Whisper did.

I imagine that even though it doesn't show up until it is almost time to clean the tank, that the appearance of brown diatoms is a bad sign.

Other things that have changed since I got the filter is I have increased feeding a bit since and my fish have grown bigger. However, my numbers (nitrite, ammonia, alkinity, etc. )are all still good.

My question now is should I do something (without the addition of chemicals) to keep the algae from growing, to get a better filter, or something else?

Any input is appreciated. Thanks.

Renee

[bikeguy33]

renee...this should be nothing to worry about for the time being...try the wait and see method...which in my opinion is always thre best...then if with reg maintenance nothing changes...then may be time for bigger water changes may be in order....

[kagome]

It may also be that you had brown algae growing in the other filter as well but didn't see it as much because the filter wasn't clear. Is the brown algae only in the filter or is it in the tank as well? If you think this HOB is not removing enough waste have you considered more filtration for the tank? Maybe adding an internal? Just a thought.

[Carl]

although this is not a big problem IMO, you did hit upon a major problem with Aqua Clear Filters (which is why I am somewhat confused that as to where you heard/read the Aqua Clear is "slightly better"; it is somewhat an apples to oranges comparison).
While the Aqua Clear does have more bio capacity than the Whisper, it is vastly worse at mechanical filtration and mulm removal. In fact in test dumping small particulates into an aquarium it faired worse than all other HOBs I tested. This is due to the type of filter media (which the Via Aqua M200 and Rena are the best in small particulate filtration) and a high flow by ratio.
See this article: Aquarium Filtration

You might add another filter (as noted by Kagome), especially one that has better mechanical filtration.

Look over some of the suggestions in this article:
Aquarium Algae
However as bikeguy suggested, maybe give it some time and water changes (which maybe the use of re-mineralized RO water may help cut down on silicates)

Carl

[goldenpuon]

Thanks for the input you two.

I have been regularly maintaining the filter, it gets cleaned thoroughly once a month or more often if it needs it.

The tank itself gets 1/3 of the water taken out every two weeks which includes me vaccuming out waste, scrubbing the tank walls, and also scrubbing the plastic plants/decorations.

Bill, is this enough cleaning or do I need to up it? You said I should wait and see what happens if I do regular maintance (which I have.) I honestly don't want to change out more than 1/3 of the water at once as it might stress the fish, unless I changed that amount once a week instead of every two weeks.

Kagome, it grows in the tank, but only when the aquarium is due for a cleaning. Otherwise there is not a problem with it. I actually do have another filter in there, a Hydro Sponge #1 filter. I am aware that it is not big enough for the tank but I had it as a spare filter when I set the tank up so I put it in. Even though it is not big enough for a 40 gallon, I consider having it in there better than having no sponge filter in teh aquarium.

[Carl]

Kagome, it grows in the tank, but only when the aquarium is due for a cleaning. Otherwise there is not a problem with it. I actually do have another filter in there, a Hydro Sponge #1 filter. I am aware that it is not big enough for the tank but I had it as a spare filter when I set the tank up so I put it in. Even though it is not big enough for a 40 gallon, I consider having it in there better than having no sponge filter in teh aquarium.

This indicates to me that this is not a real big problem, that improving cleaning and filtration may improve rather easy.

As well, as you noted the Hydro Sponge #1 is small for this size tank, however even a larger Sponge Filter does not compliment a Aqua Clear as well as a cartridge type HOB filter. A Hydro Spinge #3 would still be better and better yet as a compliment to a Whisper, Aqueon, or best a VitaLife HOB filter

Carl

[goldenpuon]

Thanks Carl. Would you recommend I change to a different kind of HOB filter as better to go with the Hydro Sponge? I was thinking about switching back to a Whisper. Even though they are not said to be the best filters out there, I have had excellent results with Whisper filters.

Could one of the reasons why the AquaClear is not seeming to do as good a job as the Whisper did because mechanical filtration is not one of its strong points? The AquaClear does have a carbon, but it is different in this to the cartridge that Whisper and other HOB fiilters use.

[Carl]

I would switch back to the Whisper as this is a better compliment to the Sponge Filter

Even though they are not said to be the best filters out there

I am not sure where this is being said, although I will admit the Bio Bags are rather cheaply made and do not hold up, as well there are better mechanical filter cartridges (as per smaller micron filtration) than the Whisper such as the VitaLife M200, the Whisper is still a good HOB filter as per literally 100s used over th years.

As for carbon, the Aqua Clear certainly can hold more carbon or other chemical filter media, so this is an area where the Aqua Clear excels over the Whisper

Carl

[goldenpuon]

Thanks Carl.

So are you saying that the AquaClear is normally better than trapping debris when you say it can hold more carbon?

Which is better for trapping debris, a Whisper HOB or AquaClear HOB filter? (Sorry I was not clear in my last post.)

I looked in my aquarium today(which is due for cleaning) for brown algae and found myself asking "What brown algae?" All that was visible was a little in a corner. So I may have overexagerated about algae in the tank. So sorry about that although it does appear more in the filter.

"I am not sure where this is being said,..."

Actually, I believe you were the one who said that AquaClear is a slightly better filter than Whisper. Although don't quote me on it and you may have been saying it was better in terms on biological filtration, not that it was better in general. It was a while ago when I remember this being discussed. So sorry if there was a misunderstanding about that. I didn't want to say it was you (in case I was wrong), and also I feel it is better to not point out who said what on this forum as to avoid confict if there is a misunderstanding. (Although the same does not go for Yahoo answers of course.)

Renee

EDIT: Oops. I was totally wrong about what I thought you said about the AquaClear. I just looked at your article on filters Aquarium Filtration and found no evidence to back up for what I thought you said. So my apologies.

[Carl]

Which is better for trapping debris, a Whisper HOB or AquaClear HOB filter? (Sorry I was not clear in my last post.)

The Aqua Clear has more bio capacity and can hold more types for chemical filtration media (carbon, purigen, etc.). The Whisper and even more so the VitaLife has better mechanical filter abilities, especially for smaller micron size.

Carl

[goldenpuon]

Thanks for the prompt reply Carl. I may switch back to a Whisper soon then. I really appreciate your help on answering my questions by the way.

[Carl]

Jun 30, 2010 9:21:33 GMT -5 goldenpuon said:

Thanks for the prompt reply Carl. I may switch back to a Whisper soon then. I really appreciate your help on answering my questions by the way.

Your welcome

BTW, I am not "knocking" the Aqua Clear, as my article states it has its strengths, just not in the area I believe your aquarium needs.

Carl

[goldenpuon]

I understand.

Anyway, I will be switching filters but I'm not in any hurry. Since the AquaClear doesn't cause any trouble for my tank other than extra cleaning required.