Filter question

[sushi*roll]

I have an aquaclear 50 filter for my overstocked 39 gallon tank. Is this a good filter brand?? should I consider getting another one??

 

[xarumitzu]

I just read a ton of reviews of your filter and everyone loved it. They said it can make a bit of noise, but not enough to bother. But I think you should be good

 

[sushi*roll]

thats good

 

[xarumitzu]

Do you know if Aqueon is very good. I have had the power 10 filter set up on my 10G since I bought it, but I have been thinking about getting a new filter. The Aqueon has only 1 cartridge and I don't like having to throw it away (because all the good bacteria go with it). Should I purchase a better filter? Or just stay with the one I have?

 

[Newman]

stay with one filter. you don't need to throw the cartridge away...0_0
just rinse it in old tank water and put it back in. you don't have to change it out for a new one like the directions say. just use it until you can't use it anymore.(falls apart or something)

generally though you'd want to but a filter that is rated for more gallons that you have. like sushi is doing.

the aquaclear filters are great !

 

[xarumitzu]

So, even if it comes out a bit green after I try and rinse it off it's fine to put back in?

I was more so asking if I should switch the Aqueon filter to a different one. After reading the reviews for the Aqua Clear one it got me thinking.

 

[Newman]

if your water tests out having 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite and less than 20 ppm nitrate before your weekly water change, then your filter is sufficient.
even if its a little green (is the cartridge in direct light or something?) its fine after a rinse in old tank water.

 

[xarumitzu]

Yeah, my water usually tests well before water changes. It does get a small amount of direct sunlight during the day. There really isn't a place in my apartment to put it where it won't get any.

 

[Newman]

then that's green algae on the cartridge. green algae is a good one to soak up nitrates and make the water cleaner, so it's OK to keep it around.

maybe you can cover your filter(if its a HOB) with something? to prevent light entering the cartridge? but it wont be a problem really if only green algae grows there...now if blue-green/ cyano algae/bacteria starts growing then you're in trouble. you don't want that stuff spreading your gravel and decor..

 

[xarumitzu]

I'm almost certain it's all green algae. I normally don't have any in the tank except for where the gravel starts and occasionally on the glass.

 

[xarumitzu]

I bought the AquaClear filter. I got the one rated for 20-30G tanks (mines 10). I just turned it on a few minutes ago and already I like how their aren't so many teeny-tiny air bubbles.

 

[Newman]

just raise your water level so there's no water fall, and you wont get air bubble ever.

the Aquaclear 20-30 is epic for 10 gallon community tanks.

 

[sushi*roll]

thats true, if you dont fill your tank up as much you wont even need an airerator bcuz it'll create so much bubbes lol

 

[Doomhed]

I used to have problems with minehumming against the glass. I took a thin piece of foam and wedge it between the glass and the filter body and the rattling/humming noise went away.

so if you hear a weird sound, that should fix it.

 

[xarumitzu]

I filled up the tank about half an inch to silence the waterfall (the waterline is almost right to the bottom of the outlet) and about an hour later found my bamboo shrimp trying to crawl inside . That was interesting to say the least.

I like your sig Doomhed, gave me a good laugh.

 

[Newman]

bamboo shrimp will wind up outside your tank if you don't keep it covered! they've been known to climb intake tubes of HOBs to jump out of the tank and die =[
make sure no little spaces are left in your cover for the bamboo shrimp to crawl through..

 

[xarumitzu]

Yeah, I Saran wrapped the crap outta the back of my hood. He won't be getting out any time soon lol.

 

[Newman]

haha, good