Filteration Question

[Fishman1995]

What type of filters work best but dont need much maintenace so often, I use Aquatech's and they seem to be quite a hassal should the power knock off. you must keep messing with it to make it start filtering again. Do Biowheels work better?

 

[bassbonediva]

The Penguin filters are pretty much the same thing as the AquaTechs, they just have the BioWheel on them. Any filter will need to be re-primed if the power goes out, so I'm not sure you'll have any luck there. I do have an AquaClear 50 on my 29gal that I just got and it was a bit of work to set up, but it's been running pretty well and it was relatively easy to prime.

 

[Fishman1995]

I want something easy to prime for sure, mine i have to spend an hour with it.

 

[blue_ram]

I want something easy to prime for sure, mine i have to spend an hour with it.

Have you ever cleaned the pump? The impeller gets gunked up and reduces suction causing hard to prime filters. The pump can then over heat and stop working till it cools down. Eventually the pump will fail.

The better quality filters have removable pumps whcih make removing the impeller easy and also easy to rinse out the housing.

 

[bassbonediva]

I want something easy to prime for sure, mine i have to spend an hour with it.

I with blue_ram that you need to check your impeller and pump to make sure it isn't all gunked up. My ATs and Penguin only take filling the filter with water and then plugging them in to prime.

 

[achase]

This may be bad....but I have no idea what priming is. Could someone explain?
I have never had any issues with my filters after a power outage.

 

[Fishman1995]

Well thats the issue, when i clean it totally out and check my propeller, clean the tube and replace the filter cartiridge, it takes forever to get to working. First i put it in the water, then i turn it on, then i gotta fill it up and up and up and up. I also would like a filter or powerhead that can create a very strong current.

 

[bassbonediva]

This may be bad....but I have no idea what priming is. Could someone explain?
I have never had any issues with my filters after a power outage.

Priming is filling the filter box with water before plugging it in so that the pump isn't running dry. I've had filters whose filter box doesn't empty during a power outage , so there's no need to prime it after an outage, but some filters (like my Cascade 1000 canister) require priming after any amount of time they aren't running.

 

[OrangeCones]

This may be bad....but I have no idea what priming is. Could someone explain?
I have never had any issues with my filters after a power outage.

Priming the filter means putting water in the filter's box, making it easier for the pump's motor to fill it up to start it functioning. The motor only needs to bring water up the tube to the box for the filter to working.

 

[Fishman1995]

So do i need to fill it up, put it in the water, then plug it up?

 

[bassbonediva]

I usually just hang the filter on the back, fill it with water (I have a betta cup handy for just such occassions) and then plug it in. Never had a problem.

 

[littletankbigworld]

I know what you mean about the power going out or having to unplug/plug-in the Aqua-Techs. My advice is to get an Aqua-Tech 20-40 or at least an Aqua-Tech 10-20. The larger ones work much better. They are still a bit of a hassle but not as much as the 5-15 filters. I had two of those break on me and they were total crap and wouldn't turn on again when the power went. Even filling them up with water didn't help.

 

[Fishman1995]

well i cant even filll the one in my 10 gallon with water up to make it work, i have to pick up the sucker tube an inch and then drop it and it'l start back up most times. but then someday's its a total pain.

 

[jamiejay09]

i recommend the hagen fluvel canister filters, i had one and it was extremely strong, quiet and has a good little tool , theres a small red button thats pops up when its time to be cleaned

 

[Fishman1995]

sounds like the one for me, how much did it cost? and what sizes do they come in?

 

[blue_ram]

Priming is filling the filter box with water before plugging it in so that the pump isn't running dry. I've had filters whose filter box doesn't empty during a power outage , so there's no need to prime it after an outage, but some filters (like my Cascade 1000 canister) require priming after any amount of time they aren't running.

How do you like the Cascade 1000. I bought one for my 75 to replace my Fluval 305 (305 goes back on the 55).

 

[Fishman1995]

Well it would be for a 10 gallon tank so

 

[CommonSence]

Well thats the issue, when i clean it totally out and check my propeller, clean the tube and replace the filter cartiridge, it takes forever to get to working.

How often do you do this total cleaning of your filter cartridge? Is this regular maintenance that i quoted? Please explain, i am confused.

 

[Fishman1995]

Its regular, evey month its a full cleaning

 

[bassbonediva]

How do you like the Cascade 1000. I bought one for my 75 to replace my Fluval 305 (305 goes back on the 55).

I love it! After I figured out how to set it up (burned out the original motor, so I emailed Penn-Plax and they sent me a brand new one, free of charge!), it has run like a dream. It's a little tall, but now that I have a real stand for my 55gal (not the coffee table it was sitting on), that won't be an issue.