Planted HOB thread.

[sayurasem]

I put lucky bamboos in the HOB cartridge space.

[tlyons01]

Thank you for making this thread, I see that interest is booming about it! I will be trying this out. I think I will try out Nyyanks method of the black mesh, as I have scraps here already. Will post pics here once I get started..

Again, thanks!

[BlueJack]

Zebrina works wonderfully inside the filter box. You can see it on the left hand side of this pic.

[pejerrey]

Originally Posted by sayurasem

I put lucky bamboos in the HOB cartridge space.

Pictures PHLEEEEAZE!

[pejerrey]

Originally Posted by BlueJack

Zebrina works wonderfully inside the filter box. You can see it on the left hand side of this pic.

Wow! 0_o ! That's What I'm talking!

[FunkyMonk]

Awesome setup!

[HD Blazingwolf]

Originally Posted by BlueJack

Zebrina works wonderfully inside the filter box. You can see it on the left hand side of this pic.

that... is truly beautiful

[tlyons01]

So, can anyone tell me how you keep your filter media clean, or how you clean it when you have it planted?

I have just set up my 5 gallon with dirt and sand, moved over my HOB so that I can plant it with moss cascading. While I am waiting to set up the waterfall area, I am kind of curious what methods others are using?

Does anyone use soil in a media bag, as suggested previously?

[BlueJack]

You just clean it rarely...like every few months. The plants will chow down on any nutrients building up in there. And if you're like me i only use sponges and bio bags in my HOB's, no carbon. Some filter floss every once in a while but I've found that stuff really does too good of a job of filtering(oxymoron?). I have to change it once a month at least because it has collected so much debris.

[tlyons01]

That is why I was wondering, due to the collection of debris. I do not use carbon, unless it is for a specific reason, which isn't often. My aquaclear sponges seem to really collect it in my tanks. I am a once a week or two rinse in tank water in bucket, maintenance as often as needed and all. It seems some months that I have to completely clean out the entire box, impeller and all.

So do you just carefully remove the planted media (or pieces) when cleaning must be done?

[BlueJack]

Originally Posted by tlyons01

So do you just carefully remove the planted media (or pieces) when cleaning must be done?

Ya, everything comes out and is lightly cleaned. I also use it as an opportunity to trim and replant some of the taller plants. I like the smaller bushier look.

[tlyons01]

okie dokie, thanks for the explaining. Sometimes my mind doesn't have much of an imagination and I have to see things spelled out...Sometimes

[pejerrey]

My hob is not my main filter, I guess that allows me to not be so worried about it. The fluval intake sponge keeps if from clogging I guess, I take out that to rinse often...

[pejerrey]

Any other suggestions besides zebrina and bamboos? I'm gonna go shopping for some plants next week.

[kamikazi]

Originally Posted by BlueJack

Zebrina works wonderfully inside the filter box. You can see it on the left hand side of this pic.

OMG that is awesome! I have 3 HOB filters I need to do this with. Did you just stick the stem into the box with some filter floss?
What are the potted plants at the back sitting on or are the clipped somehow to the back side of the tank?

OP did you do anything to secure your plants in/onto your filter?