got my tank

[White Hair]

Well after much internal debate, i went with the $1gal 29gal from Petco.Next would seem to be filtering.From what i’ve read, the choices are sump, canister, and hob.I would think since a sump includes drilling, i would pass on that. One that caught my eye was Eheim pro 4 + 250,so input is needed ,thanks

 

[bluprntguy]

Well after much internal debate, i went with the $1gal 29gal from Petco.Next would seem to be filtering.From what i’ve read, the choices are sump, canister, and hob.I would think since a sump includes drilling, i would pass on that. One that caught my eye was Eheim pro 4 + 250,so input is needed ,thanks

I would look at an HOB filter. Canister filters can accumulate a lot of detritus and unless you are very good about cleaning them every few days, then you are likely to have nitrate and phosphate issues.

HOB filters are more easily accessible and therefore easier to maintain which means that you are more likely to actually clean and maintain them. The Aquaclear HOB filters are probably your best bet.

 

[Chefwheredyougo]

First, welcome to the hobby! Second, I agree with athena hob filter. Aquaclear is the undisputed #1. With that being said, I personally prefer the seachem tidal series. There's absolutely ridiculous amounts of space for any kind of media you'd like. I have the 110 on my 75 and have it filled with LR rubble, some floss, purigen, and carbon, with room for anything else I'd need.

 

[lapin]

Yep go with a HOB filter. Easy to take care of and will do the job.

 

[piranhaman00]

Aquaclear HOBs are great. There is room to put whatever you like in them.

 

[foxt]

+ 1 on HOB. I run lots of QT tanks with those Aquaclear HOBs and they work fine. Depending on what you want to keep in the tank, you may need a powerhead to help with circulation.

 

[Rakkasan]

First, welcome to the hobby! Second, I agree with athena hob filter. Aquaclear is the undisputed #1. With that being said, I personally prefer the seachem tidal series. There's absolutely ridiculous amounts of space for any kind of media you'd like. I have the 110 on my 75 and have it filled with LR rubble, some floss, purigen, and carbon, with room for anything else I'd need.

Hey friend I was curious if you might help me by listing the specific items that you stated above. I.E. what kind of floss, purigen and carbon. Could I use fluval biomax wheels and seachum matrix instead of the LR rubble?

In regards to the purigen and carbon are you just measuring it out and placing into a sock / mesh holder and tossing it inside the filter. Are you putting the carbon and purigen on the top or bottom.

Respectfully,

Rakkasan

 

[Katrina71]

Go for chemipure blue. It's an all in one. Simple and effective.

 

[Chefwheredyougo]

I actually just buy the prefilled bags of the purigen and carbon. Carbon is the fluval brand from petsmart that's rated for "100+ gallons", and I run 2 of the premade bags of purigen. The floss is just some off brand I bought like 10lbs of for 5 bucks or something like that. I swap it every few days because it can get yucky quickly. I was going to switch to the chemipure blue next go around though, so +1 for
Katrina71

 

[Rakkasan]

I actually just buy the prefilled bags of the purigen and carbon. Carbon is the fluval brand from petsmart that's rated for "100+ gallons", and I run 2 of the premade bags of purigen. The floss is just some off brand I bought like 10lbs of for 5 bucks or something like that. I swap it every few days because it can get yucky quickly. I was going to switch to the chemipure blue next go around though, so +1 for
Katrina71

Thanks for the reply. I've read great things about the purigen and I am using that brand but I only have a 40 gallon so I divided the one bag into 1/3's (putting the powder into a 50 micron mesh bag) and tossed it in the hob. How big is your tank to be running two bags at once? I am also using chemi pure elite not the blue. (Maybe over doing it.)

 

[Rakkasan]

Go for chemipure blue. It's an all in one. Simple and effective.

Thanks for the reply. I am currently using low dose of chemipure elite and purigen at the same time. Will chemipure blue replace both?

 

[Katrina71]

I ran those together and really prefer my results with blue

 

[Chefwheredyougo]

My tank isn't big enough to justify running two tbh. It's a 75g. I have not used the blue or elite yet. Just read things about them both

 

[don_chuwish]

I personally prefer the seachem tidal series. There's absolutely ridiculous amounts of space for any kind of media you'd like.

+ 1 on the Seachem Tidal HOBs. So many great features that I think set them over and above the excellent AquaClear.
Seachem Tidal HOB vs Fluval C4 - no contest
The Tidal 55 by Seachem- Review

 

[White Hair]

Well after much internal debate, i went with the $1gal 29gal from Petco.Next would seem to be filtering.From what i’ve read, the choices are sump, canister, and hob.I would think since a sump includes drilling, i would pass on that. One that caught my eye was Eheim pro 4 + 250,so input is needed ,thanks

Dumb question, i assume you are to leave the filter running 24-7, also how often to clean filter, and any special routines on cleaning i should be aware of?

 

[Chefwheredyougo]

Depends on what you're using the filter for, if you want to run it 24/7 for actual filtering than yeah. I change the floss every other day or at the worst every 3 days. It gets gross quickly. Purigen I rinse out once a month. Change carbon every few weeks. As for actual cleaning, I recommend pulling the whole filter from the tank bi weekly or at least once a month to get rid of algae buildup, salt creep, and the occasional escaping snails

 

[White Hair]

Depends on what you're using the filter for, if you want to run it 24/7 for actual filtering than yeah. I change the floss every other day or at the worst every 3 days. It gets gross quickly. Purigen I rinse out once a month. Change carbon every few weeks. As for actual cleaning, I recommend pulling the whole filter from the tank bi weekly or at least once a month to get rid of algae buildup, salt creep, and the occasional escaping snails

Aqua

Depends on what you're using the filter for, if you want to run it 24/7 for actual filtering than yeah. I change the floss every other day or at the worst every 3 days. It gets gross quickly. Purigen I rinse out once a month. Change carbon every few weeks. As for actual cleaning, I recommend pulling the whole filter from the tank bi weekly or at least once a month to get rid of algae buildup, salt creep, and the occasional escaping snails

Aqua Clear 70

 

[Sebastiancrab]

Depends on what you're using the filter for, if you want to run it 24/7 for actual filtering than yeah. I change the floss every other day or at the worst every 3 days. It gets gross quickly. Purigen I rinse out once a month. Change carbon every few weeks. As for actual cleaning, I recommend pulling the whole filter from the tank bi weekly or at least once a month to get rid of algae buildup, salt creep, and the occasional escaping snails

How big is your tank and do you also have a skimmer? Sounds like the best move is to have a sump if it requires this much maintenance?

 

[Chefwheredyougo]

How big is your tank and do you also have a skimmer? Sounds like the best move is to have a sump if it requires this much maintenance?

I switched from a 72 bow front to a 75 drilled with sump. It wasn't that much maintenance tbh, I was just meticulous with it. Changing filter floss might as well be the same with filter socks, (change them every other day). I don't use purigen because I run a fuge now, and I still change my carbon weekly. Still clean my sump once a month.

Besides the extra water volume and greater expense, its very comparable. Well, and I have a place to hide some wires.

Edit- yes I have and had a skimmer as well. I used the tidal as a media basket more than anything