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Possible Filter Unit Change

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Offline Baz

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Possible Filter Unit Change
« on: May 26, 2017, 03:36:01 PM »
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Hi,

Currently I am running a Fluval 306 filter unit, it has been running for approximately 2 - 3 months, tank fully cycled. The issue I have is the performance of the Fluval filter, the water always has "particles" floating in the water column which indicates to me that the filtration is not fully effective? I have tried with the Fluval sponges etc, put in self made sponges of different grades, I have used filter wool with no real improvement.

Therefore my question is this, I have a Tetra Ex 800 filter unit that I may switch to? If I do I will remove all of the sponges and BioHome media from the Fluval and put / fit it into the Tetra unit with as much of the new media in the Tetra, then over the next few weeks change the media to the Tetra type or produce my own sponges? Any recommendations as to what "pit falls" to lookout for.

Thanks in advance of your help.
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Offline Sue

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Re: Possible Filter Unit Change
« Reply #1 on: May 26, 2017, 03:48:47 PM »
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Fine particles in the water are usually removed if there is filter wool (aka filter floss) placed last in the direction of water flow. When you tried filter wool, where did you put it, first in the direction of water flow, last or somewhere in the middle?
Using the same media in the same order in the Tetra filter may have the same result as with the Fluval.


If you do change filters, you will lose the few bacteria in the biofilm on the casing and baskets of the Fluval but that should be a tiny proportion of the total number in the tank. It is still worth checking ammonia and nitrite for a few days after the change.
Once you know that the bacteria are fine, change the media one bit a month till you have all new media. And check the levels after each media swap.
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Offline Baz

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Re: Possible Filter Unit Change
« Reply #2 on: May 26, 2017, 03:56:25 PM »
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Hi,

I placed the filter floss in the top basket of the 3. The water flow is from the "bottom, up" I have the Fluval "coarse and medium" sponges in place, in the "red plastic holder", in the bottom basket I have coarse, medium and fine sponges (home made), in the middle basket BioHome and in the top basket more BioHome and the fliter floss. I begin to wonder if all of the water is not being passed through the media and is being sent straight back the tank somewhat unfiltered?
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A Selection of Fish in my Fish Community Creator Tanks
Harlequin Rasbora (12) - Cherry Barb (12) - Rosy Tetra (2) - Fiveband Barb (8) - Rosy Tetra (8) - Harlequin Rasbora (8) - White Cloud Mountain Minnow (10) - Pearl Danio (16) -
Note: The user may not necessarily own these fish, these are tanks that they may be building or researching for stocking purposes

Offline Sue

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Re: Possible Filter Unit Change
« Reply #3 on: May 26, 2017, 04:03:13 PM »
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That is a possibility if some of the media doesn't fit tightly to the casing. Water will find the easier route round the edges of things like sponges if there are any gaps.

If you do decide to swap filters it is worth plugging any gaps like this round the old media with bits of sponge or even filter wool.
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Offline Andy The Minion

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Re: Possible Filter Unit Change
« Reply #4 on: May 26, 2017, 07:18:45 PM »
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@Baz I was about to reply but then got side-tracked and just by chance saw this guy has covered water clarity. I do what he describes is what I do so I know it can work #Invalid YouTube Link include https#
The only other point I would add is to site the intake and return where they create a nice circulating flow and don't leave dead spots where the particles drop out of water column.
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Offline Baz

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Re: Possible Filter Unit Change
« Reply #5 on: May 26, 2017, 10:43:40 PM »
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Hi,

Thanks, I watched the youtube video and I have effectively done what he describes regarding the "poly fil / filter floss", over filtering the tank with extra filter units is not an option for me. If you consider the Fluval 306 is rated at 1150lt/hour, and assume it is only 50% efficient when loaded with media my tank would have an approximate turn over of 5 times. I have tried, in turn, Purigen and carbon, and only feed every other day. I have 5 Ammano shrimp and a couple of Nerite snails so hopefully there is not to much "waste" in the tank. The inlet and suction for the filter are at opposite ends of the tank and appear to give a "circular flow" of water judging by the plant movement. Other than trying another filter unit I do not know what else to do? 
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A Selection of Fish in my Fish Community Creator Tanks
Harlequin Rasbora (12) - Cherry Barb (12) - Rosy Tetra (2) - Fiveband Barb (8) - Rosy Tetra (8) - Harlequin Rasbora (8) - White Cloud Mountain Minnow (10) - Pearl Danio (16) -
Note: The user may not necessarily own these fish, these are tanks that they may be building or researching for stocking purposes

Offline Dominika

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Re: Possible Filter Unit Change
« Reply #6 on: May 26, 2017, 11:37:44 PM »
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Hi,

Have you tried using a sponge pre-filter (a little sponge you put on the inlet in the tank)? Not sure how much it'll help but in my experience it catches a lot of gunk.
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Offline TrenchyLs

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Re: Possible Filter Unit Change
« Reply #7 on: May 27, 2017, 12:49:38 AM »
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I haven't got a Fluval filter, but my water had a build up of particles the other week.

Turned out that the trays weren't fitting together properly because my filter media (also BioHome) wasn't sitting flush with the baskets so the water coming in was getting back into the outflow without going through the sponges and wool.

Luckily it seemed to be going through the rest of the media though, because the chemistry didn't do anything unexpected.

Not sure how the internals of a 306 are laid out though this could all be unhelpful waffle!
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