Which filter media?

rollinghills · 06-30-2012, 09:31 PM

Which of these 2 is the better filter media for a HOB?

or

If it's the second one which density should I choose? Don't want one that clogs up too fast. Thanks.

MlDukes · 06-30-2012, 09:51 PM

Its not that any one is better. each perform thier own task. low-med filters larger particles. high-super high catch finer particles. Ideally you would want a combination. A higher density sponge will clog much faster especially without first allowing the water to pass through a lessor dense sponge.

Long story short the first one I think is made up of 2 diff density sponges. hints the colors. So to choose only one id go with it.

Hope this helps.

Diana · 06-30-2012, 10:19 PM

I would cut an intake cover out of one of the second group, probably the densest, and use the first material inside the filter.
I use a lot of that bonded blue and white stuff. It lasts a long time, though eventually it does mat down and no longer rinses clean.

I stack up my HOB filters like this:
1) Intake sponge (use the Matala material or other coarse sponge)
inside:
2) Somewhat finer sponge, like an Aquaclear sponge
3) Blue and white bonded material
4) Chemical media of your choice (if any- I use peat moss for my soft water tanks and coral sand for my hard water tanks)
5) Quilt batting/polyester floss.
6) Ceramic bio-media. Basically as a weight to hold down the floss. It has a tendency to get pushed around by the water flow.

rollinghills · 06-30-2012, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MlDukes

Long story short the first one I think is made up of 2 diff density sponges. hints the colors. So to choose only one id go with it.

Hope this helps.

That's why it's called bonded and here I was trying to figure that out. lol

You must have really cold tank water Diana.

Diana · 06-30-2012, 10:39 PM

Room temperature, actually. In the summer the tanks average closer to the mid 70s, but may climb to 80 on a hot day.
In the winter they are all pretty close to 70*
And yes, I have some warm water fish in some tanks.

However, I ran the same filter media when I had the heaters on, too, and several tanks maintained upper 70s to low 80s year round. I do not think temperature is an issue with which filter media I use.

06-30-2012, 09:31 PM	#1
rollinghills Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (8/100%) Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: new york, new york Posts: 124	Which filter media? Which of these 2 is the better filter media for a HOB? or If it's the second one which density should I choose? Don't want one that clogs up too fast. Thanks.

06-30-2012, 09:51 PM	#2
MlDukes Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: MO Posts: 884	Its not that any one is better. each perform thier own task. low-med filters larger particles. high-super high catch finer particles. Ideally you would want a combination. A higher density sponge will clog much faster especially without first allowing the water to pass through a lessor dense sponge. Long story short the first one I think is made up of 2 diff density sponges. hints the colors. So to choose only one id go with it. Hope this helps. __________________ In the beginning: DUKES 55g http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/ta...dukes-55g.html DUKES Fluval Edge http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/ta...uval-edge.html

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06-30-2012, 10:19 PM	#3
Diana Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Contra Costa CA Posts: 5,012	I would cut an intake cover out of one of the second group, probably the densest, and use the first material inside the filter. I use a lot of that bonded blue and white stuff. It lasts a long time, though eventually it does mat down and no longer rinses clean. I stack up my HOB filters like this: 1) Intake sponge (use the Matala material or other coarse sponge) inside: 2) Somewhat finer sponge, like an Aquaclear sponge 3) Blue and white bonded material 4) Chemical media of your choice (if any- I use peat moss for my soft water tanks and coral sand for my hard water tanks) 5) Quilt batting/polyester floss. 6) Ceramic bio-media. Basically as a weight to hold down the floss. It has a tendency to get pushed around by the water flow.

06-30-2012, 10:39 PM	#5
Diana Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Contra Costa CA Posts: 5,012	Room temperature, actually. In the summer the tanks average closer to the mid 70s, but may climb to 80 on a hot day. In the winter they are all pretty close to 70* And yes, I have some warm water fish in some tanks. However, I ran the same filter media when I had the heaters on, too, and several tanks maintained upper 70s to low 80s year round. I do not think temperature is an issue with which filter media I use.