Will Additional Filter Help ??

[chinsm]

Need some advice pertaining to filters …..

I current have a Juwel 4 ft tank that is approx 300 litres in capacity. It has an internal filter (sponges) with a pump that circulates approx 1000 l/hr. I have limited fauna (approx 30 cardinal sized fishes and 40 shrimps). Although my bioload is very low, I can see particles floating in the water.

I was thinking of getting an Eheim 2026 to complement the internal filter. Would like to hear from bros here if it is worth the effort and cost or should I consider a smaller or larger filter, given the above scenario.

[benny]

For a start, you can consider changing your filter media. If there are particulated matter, there are two things you need to take note..

01. Poor water circulation in your tank. Look for suspended particles, they are a good indication of dead spots.

02. Change your filter media setup to include fine filtration media. There are fine filter wool that you can cut to size if Juwel does not stock what you need.

Without good water circulation and the correct filter media, the Eheim 2026 will not solve the problem you indicated either.

Hope that helps.

Cheers,

[chinsm]

For a start, you can consider changing your filter media. If there are particulated matter, there are two things you need to take note..

01. Poor water circulation in your tank. Look for suspended particles, they are a good indication of dead spots.

02. Change your filter media setup to include fine filtration media. There are fine filter wool that you can cut to size if Juwel does not stock what you need.

Without good water circulation and the correct filter media, the Eheim 2026 will not solve the problem you indicated either.

Hope that helps.

Cheers,

Thanks for the reply, Benny !

I noticed from some of your older threads that you own a Juwel too. Do you still have that and is it complemented by an external filter?

I see my plants swaying so I assume the flow is relatively ok. But good point about the filter media. I don;t change them as recommended by Juwel due to price and perhaps I can add on filter wool on the top layer to do some mechanical filtration.

[LLC]

I think by adding an additional filter will only help a little. I had spoken to Mr Chan from NA. According to him, in order to reduce the particles in the tank, the water circulation had to be slow. This will prevents particles being stirred up by water circulation.

Currently, I am running 4 external filter in my 6ft tank. There are still particles floating in the water. IMO if the water is clear, it good enough for me

If you really insists of removing these particles. I think by adding a Diatom filter would help. It has really fine filter media which some hobbyist used to 'polish' their water. You can do a search on Diatom filter, lots of information in this forum.

[brianclaw]

Bro, think about it... How does that reduce the paricles in the water? They are still there, just not floating about in the water column. The best way to actually remove and not hide it, is to have proper circulation and, as Benny has mentioned, to use a fine mechanical media in the filter.

[benny]

Thanks for the reply, Benny !

I noticed from some of your older threads that you own a Juwel too. Do you still have that and is it complemented by an external filter?

I see my plants swaying so I assume the flow is relatively ok. But good point about the filter media. I don;t change them as recommended by Juwel due to price and perhaps I can add on filter wool on the top layer to do some mechanical filtration.

Yes. I still own that tank (amongst others) and still wish that I hadn't bought it. Anyway...I'm using 2 X Eheim Professional II 2028 external canister filter with that as I needed the real estate for aquascaping.

Change your filter wood and see if it works. Remember to use the correct type. Otherwise, there will be no difference at all.

Cheers,

[benny]

Currently, I am running 4 external filter in my 6ft tank. There are still particles floating in the water. IMO if the water is clear, it good enough for me

If you really insists of removing these particles. I think by adding a Diatom filter would help. It has really fine filter media which some hobbyist used to 'polish' their water. You can do a search on Diatom filter, lots of information in this forum.

It's not the number of filter, but the right capacity, with the correct flow rate, and the appropriate filter media (both mechanical and biological).

You brought up an interesting topic - Diatom Filtration. Seems like not many here are interested in this at all, but it really gives crystal clear water. Use it once and your life will never be the same again.

Cheers,

[LLC]

I think I had over filtered my tank

Currently I am running a 2229 wet/dry and hydro prime 30 for biological.
The other two are 2226 and hydro prime 30 for mechanical. There are two layers of fine and coarse wool in the canisters. The flow rate is more than 3 times the tank volume. Still there are particles flying around

I think Mr Chan is right, if the filter outlet is directing the bottom of the tank, it tends to stir up particles. From my observtion, there are always particles traps in between plants and wood. Plus the shrimps are always stirring up the particles in gravel.

[chinsm]

Change your filter wood and see if it works. Remember to use the correct type. Otherwise, there will be no difference at all.

Cheers,

Any particular type in mind to recommend? Just so many types of filter wool in LFS and owners always recommend whatever they have on hand

[LLC]

Bro, think about it... How does that reduce the paricles in the water? They are still there, just not floating about in the water column. The best way to actually remove and not hide it, is to have proper circulation and, as Benny has mentioned, to use a fine mechanical media in the filter.

Isn't trapping the particles in the filter is reducing the particles floating in the water?

By changing water will only remove limited particles, even 100% water change. There are always particles below the gravel, they will be stirred up when adding water back into the tank. IMHO, the main cause of particles flying around in the tank is the strong water circulation in tank which constantly brings up the particles. The commonly use canister filter has limited capability of removing these particles.

As I mention above, unless you use a Diatom filter.

[brianclaw]

in order to reduce the particles in the tank, the water circulation had to be slow. This will prevents particles being stirred up by water circulation.

I meant this part...