three stage filtration

denimous

Large Fish
May 18, 2003
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#1
hi there...

i finally got a 12 gallon jbj nanocube. i was planning to just set it up until i realized that i wasnt sure how it worked. when i used an eclipse hood i knew how it worked...but this three stage filtration confuses me.

i wonder if theres a better way to set up the filtration compartments...i looked online for advice or possible posts about other people's planted set-ups...but had a hard time finding specific information on a planted tank set up. i would rather set it up right the first time around...so i dont have to disturb the cycling process by changing stuff around.

here is a description of the three stage filtration...
three chambers all in a horizontal line (from left to right, top to bottom)
left chamber: three black sponges
center chamber: bioballs (a small handful) and a bag of carbon
right chamber: pump (lots of room)

what type of media should i use?
i was thinking of using the eheim ceramic rings and gravel (in the center chamber)...but i was wondering if there were other media combinations that worked better.

how do bioballs work?
should i use them? ive only heard of their application for sumps...

how do you get sticker stuff off of the INSIDE of an aquarium? i didnt realize there was tape on the instructions until i pulled one side off...leaving residue. i was considering rubbing as much as i could and then just pouring the gravel over it. would it hurt the fish if some residue was left? i dont want to use chemicals if its possible.

will it be ok to store my plants in the tank without the filter on...and a battery powered airpump? unfortunately i didnt realize i would replace the filter media on the tank until after i moved the plants and new tank over (old tank is at the old house, with the fish)...so now the plants are sitting in a bucket of old tank water with an air pump. would it stress the plants out more to be in a new tank with new (and some old) water...but no filter, only air pump and lights...or would it stress the plants out more to stay in the bucket?

thanks for your advice =D reading the forum so far has helped me avoid many mistakes! i hope i can avoid making a few more by knowing when to ask for help!

-jeans-
 

Lotus

Ultimate Fish
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Aug 26, 2003
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#2
I guess that the sponges provide mechanical filtration. Is there carbon in there? The bioballs do exactly the same thing as ceramic rings do; provide lots of surface area for bacteria to colonize. You may as well use those instead of buying ceramic rings.

You might be able to get the sticky stuff off with a clean scourer. I'd definitely avoid chemicals. I think it would be safer to leave a little of the sticky stuff on there than using something like lighter fluid or rubbing alcohol on it.

Your plants will be fine with just an air pump. They don't need filtration, but water movement does help.
 

denimous

Large Fish
May 18, 2003
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#3
i found, at the very bottom of the center compartment (i must of been REALLY tired after moving all day) there were ceramic rings included as well.

however, yesterday night i had a brainstorm, i could just put in the media from my eheim 2213 canister directly into the compartments. i guess i should put them in filter media bags? so they stay separated.

do you think i should still use the bioballs?

i think i can put my hagen co2 ladder inside the right compartment.

thanks for all your help and patience!
ive been craving advice...ive never done such a small tank before...my 46 gallon was so forgiving, im afraid to make a mistake! i already had to give up more than half my fish *sigh*...so i really want this tank to work perfect. its esp hard with this tank bc i usu can google or yahoo search advice and info on other setups...but this one has very little specific info on the freshwater side. the info that comes with the tank is also lacking, bc it isnt specific to freshwater or saltwater.

hopefully i can write a guide to put up on the internet....if anyone knows any good hosting services (i know limited html)...please let me know.

once again...thanks!
 

denimous

Large Fish
May 18, 2003
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#5
thanks bobk...

i ended up using my fingernail to scrape off as much as i can. its just weird...i keep thinking is acrylic bc of the curved glass...
i will keep some razor blades handy now...
thanks =D

oh yah...i just got in to my new residence yesterday night. so the nano-cube is finally put up and running. as soon as i get the peripherals setup on my computer, i can put up some pics...yay! i ended up using some old media from the eheim in combination with existing media. i put my heater in the third compartment, and it works out really well. i think if i can, i will fit my hagen co2 in there too.

does anyone know how to set the filter speed? it sets a pretty strong current. i am open to retrofit suggestions as well...

also, i ordered new 6500k jbj 24 watt powercompacts to replace the marine ones that come with it. i just wish it used more standard wattage, so i could buy generic bulbs...oh well.


-jeans-
 

Lotus

Ultimate Fish
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Aug 26, 2003
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#6
For the current, I guess you either have to point the outflow in a different direction (if you have the model you can do that on), or perhaps put some sponge behind the intake. I don't think there's a way to turn it down.

The good news with PC bulbs is that you don't need to change them every six months like you do with NO fluorescents, so it shouldn't be a problem in the future.
 

denimous

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May 18, 2003
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#7
i searched aquabotanic's forums and found a solution to the filter outflow problem. i pulled the pump out and it had a switch that slid over. i had no idea what it did before. since it was on the right most setting, i switched it to the left...presto, softer current.

i am replacing the PC bulbs for a better light spectrum for my plants. as it is now, its a bit too blue for my personal tastes. im just going to save the marine lights for a "backup". do you know how often PC bulbs need to be replaced? do they just go out when they need it? i havent had to replace mine in my old tank, so i have no clue.

thanks for the heads up...

-jeans-
 

Lotus

Ultimate Fish
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Aug 26, 2003
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#9
You shouldn't need to replace the CF bulbs unless they burn out (which is good news). You could always sell the actinic or 50/50 bulbs on eBay if you're never going to need them.

Pressurized CO2 actually works out cheaper in the long run, as you only spend about $20 or less a year on refills once it's set up (compare that to how much you spend on sugar and yeast and time messing with it). It is a big investment at first, though. If you get a larger tank in the future, you can still use your CO2 setup then, if you still are into planted tanks. Otherwise, the Hagen system should be fine.
 

Purple

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Oct 31, 2003
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#10
Standard set-up for filter media is a sponge first to catch the particulate matter - especially in a planted tank - then bio-balls or ceramic hoops (it's all the same stuff) to provide surface area for chemical filtration. A lot of chemical filtration will also happen in the sponges, but as they will need cleaning more often, it's good to keep the ceramic as clean as possible so it doesn't need to be disturbed as often, this allows the filter to continue to function even if you have to nuke (eg replace) the sponges.

Pre-filter arrangements work the same way - the pre-filter keeps the can clean, so you can wipe out the pre-filter sponge as often as you like with no disturbance to the cycle.
 

denimous

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May 18, 2003
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#11
thanks for all the advice =D...
i will look into pressurized CO2...i plan on keeping up my planted tank hobby for a long time. after having a few big spills with homemade yeast mixtures, it might be about time to try something new.

i ended up doing sponges, then some of the eheim gravel looking media (from old tank), some new and old ceramic hoops (from old tank), and some bioballs on top (as they were before). is this setup three-stage then? i had never heard it called that before...

i am hoping that since i used old filter media, and seeded the tank with old tank water, i should minimize or avoid the effects of cycling. the plant is also heavily planted. i plan on starting CO2 as soon as i can (possibly have to start with hagen till i get the money for pressurized).

does anyone know if the same pressurized CO2 used for paintballing can also be used for fish tanks?

sankya (in advance)
-jeans-
 

denimous

Large Fish
May 18, 2003
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#14
lotus
aww...it would be TOO easy if i could use a paintball canister...do you happen to know a retailer with a good deal on CO2 setups? i dont mind piecing things together.

purple
i thought even tank water helped cycling...i guess at the very least it would help ease my fish into the transition from really hard water *softened with driftwood* to soft water *water softener*. well, at least the old media was put to good use!

thanks...
-jeans-