|
|
Post by kagome on Mar 5, 2019 18:22:03 GMT -5
Ermahgawd...so when we needed new filters for some of my tanks, I let my husband do the shopping. And he came back with these filters that he thought would be great because they don't require priming. Well, let's just say they sucked. The lift tubes fell off them constantly and the media capacity was tiny. Two of them conked out on us and were replaced with aqua clears. The third one was on the tank with the big mean cichlids, a 36 gallon bowfront. The lift tube fell, AGAIN, shortly after the last water change. I left it because it only ever stays on for about a day. I started to notice that the Texas cichlid was acting strange a few days after the water change, his color was bad and he wasn't interested in food. So I did another water change and broke down the filter. Apparently, a bunch of cichlid pellets got sucked in and have been breaking down in the filter. So ammonia when to 1 ppm and nitrates went to over 50 ppm! Trashed the filter and got another aqua clear that same day. So now I'm doing 50% water changes every few days, adding Prime and keeping an eye on things. I put some gravel in a bag in the filter from an established tank. I'm pretty grumpy about all this.  |
|
|
|
Post by devonjohnsgard on Mar 6, 2019 11:58:16 GMT -5
Should have went sponge filter  |
|
|
|
Post by Carl on Mar 7, 2019 9:53:22 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by kagome on Mar 11, 2019 22:04:15 GMT -5
Carl - I was going to order one, I really like the design. But this one went down, I needed a filter STAT and couldn't afford to have it overnighted. Next time I change out filters I definitely want to try one.
Devon - yeah I know. I need to get one set up in this tank. I think if I move the heater over to the filter side of the tank I could squeeze an air driven one behind the rock work. Then, if a hang on the back dies on me, I'd have time to order what I need from y'all. I could even bounce the seasoned sponge to other tanks if needs be. I know there's a risk of cross contamination, but I think it's an acceptable risk.
These 2 fish aren't exactly tiny, so more biomedia is a good thing. I already dropped some serious bank on the planted tank so I was trying to hold off on spending more for a month or so. Best laid plans and all that. I think I'll add a sponge next month
Edit: would it be a huge deal if you let Java Fern or bolbitus grow on a sponge for filter? They're so tough, you take them out of the tank and squeeze out the sponge in a bucket and just put them back. You could also clip of the roots and take them off when you replaced the sponge. I think I would only do it with an air driven one, flow might be too restricted on a powerhead one.
I know you would lose some flow, but the plants might eat up a lot of the nitrate coming off the sponge
|
|
|
|
Post by Carl on Mar 12, 2019 10:48:36 GMT -5
Carl - I was going to order one, I really like the design. But this one went down, I needed a filter STAT and couldn't afford to have it overnighted. Next time I change out filters I definitely want to try one. I understand & figured this. You've been an awesome supporter! Carl |
|
|
|
Post by kagome on Mar 15, 2019 19:38:52 GMT -5
My dad buys all his stuff from you, too! He just ordered a sponge pre-filter for his 55 gallon. Guess who gets to install that? When I launch my own blog, I'm not going to have a store. So all the links for products will go to American Aquarium Products.  When I get a sponge filter I won't be in a rush, so of course it will come from y'all. BTW I LOVE my MillionAir pumps. Seriously, they are the best air pumps I have ever had. What do you think about my idea to let Java fern and/or bolbitis grow on the sponge filter? |
|
|
|
Post by Carl on Mar 16, 2019 10:03:34 GMT -5
My dad buys all his stuff from you, too! He just ordered a sponge pre-filter for his 55 gallon. Guess who gets to install that? When I launch my own blog, I'm not going to have a store. So all the links for products will go to American Aquarium Products. When I get a sponge filter I won't be in a rush, so of course it will come from y'all. BTW I LOVE my MillionAir pumps. Seriously, they are the best air pumps I have ever had. What do you think about my idea to let Java fern and/or bolbitis grow on the sponge filter? GREAT! I've used the Million Air for decades now and they are probably the most under rated aquarium air pumps. As for the Java Fern,, as long as you can service/clean the filter, it should work and frankly help hide it too Carl |
|
