Looking for a new filter

Subject: Looking for a new filter Sun Jan 24, 2010 12:21 am

So I'm in the market for a new filter system for my discus tank. I've had nothing but trouble with my AC110, XP3 and my HOT Magnum. The AC110 is too strong and the impeller keeps breaking. my XP3 keeps clogging and burning out the motors and the magnum isn't strong enough to handel the bio load.

Can anyone suggest a filtration systen that isn't too strong, can handle the bio load and not clog every 3 days?

Thanks!

Subject: Re: Looking for a new filter Sun Jan 24, 2010 12:25 am

My emperors are pretty good...once the bio wheel gets sludged up it moves slower and the outputs are low enough to give a slower flow effect. I hate AC filters, highly recommended by a lot of folks but I dont like em. Are you looking for other HOB's or a good canister, you have the option of sponge filrtes too which would be great for a discus tank but they lack the mechanical part?.

Subject: Re: Looking for a new filter Sun Jan 24, 2010 12:32 am

I've had nothing but bad luck with my AC's. I'm looking for a canister but if there is a HOB that is better I'll go for that.

Subject: Re: Looking for a new filter Sun Jan 24, 2010 12:36 am

I'm no pro on canisters I pretty much have only used Renas!

The Turtle Whisperer Posts : 1930

What are you looking to spend is the question.

The Emperors are pretty nice, I find the spray bar for the bio wheel clogs way to easily, but it's super easy to custom make filter inserts, and you can do fairly neat things with them.

The Hagen HOBs are pretty solid. I run a few on the feeder tubs with no issues.

Eheim canisters are bad ass. Expensive as balls, but you may be able to find one on a good sale or used.

As for the problems with the Renas, you need a prefilter on them. I had the same problem with them clogging and grinding, but I built prefilters from some pond filter foam, tubing and chinese food take out containers and I haven't had a spot of trouble with them since. The intake guard is just too wide all sorts of scum that should't get in there does.

Subject: Re: Looking for a new filter Sun Jan 24, 2010 2:59 pm

What about those HOB's you bought about a year ago Mike? Thread Here Click How are those working out....I was just thinking about it cause you were asking.

Subject: Re: Looking for a new filter Sun Jan 24, 2010 9:33 pm

I have Aqua Techs. They may wear down after about 10 yrs and die. Thats what happened to one of my original 3. Right now they 2x 20-40's are working great in the 29. Propellers don't break easily.

Subject: Re: Looking for a new filter Sun Jan 24, 2010 11:37 pm

I own 3 emperors and I haven't had any problems with them. The spray bar is very easy to clean also.

Subject: Re: Looking for a new filter Mon Jan 25, 2010 10:32 am

saint I'd like to stay away from the $300 mark.
MC That filter works well but it clogs easily.

The Turtle Whisperer Posts : 1930

This is for a 75 right?

Subject: Re: Looking for a new filter Fri Jan 29, 2010 11:54 pm

the 72. The 75 has an ac110.

Subject: Re: Looking for a new filter Sat Jan 30, 2010 7:57 pm

Pretty much anything from Marineland is good IMO....When my AC's (junk) die I am going to get more emperors. I like Renas too but I have had my problems with them. You could just go with Whispers, I have never had any issues with any Whisper I have ever owned.

Subject: Re: Looking for a new filter Sat Jan 30, 2010 11:45 pm

Picked up an emperor yesterday and trying it out. How do you turn the flow down?

The Turtle Whisperer Posts : 1930

Dang. How could I have forgotten about Whisper. Those things are tanks, definitely not the fanciest thing out there, but at least the old ones are indestructible.

I'm looking at a 400 running right now, and I'm not seeing a way to turn the flow down. I guess you could always point the spray bars inward some.

Subject: Re: Looking for a new filter Sun Jan 31, 2010 1:27 am

I have a 400 and tried pointing the spray bar down and it didnt work.

Subject: Re: Looking for a new filter Sun Jan 31, 2010 6:52 pm

You can slow it a bit by stuffing it full of media and also wrapping some floss around the intakes.

The Turtle Whisperer Posts : 1930

Wrapping foam around the spray bars may help too. I've never intentionally tried to slow one down before, but if you can't figure anything out, I can try experimenting with the one on the feeder tub and see if we can't figure out something together.

Subject: Re: Looking for a new filter Mon Feb 01, 2010 11:05 am

Wrapping foam around the spray bars may stop water from hitting the bio-wheels. I would try mounting some foam under the bio-wheel at the bottom of the outflow. The tricky part is going to be how to mount it so it stays there.

Subject: Re: Looking for a new filter Mon Feb 08, 2010 12:35 pm

Thanks for the ideas! I've been keeping an eye on them and the speed in which the water comes out and they dont seem to be bothered by it so I'm just going to leave it be for now.

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Looking for a new filter

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