Introducing myself & my 90 gal Tetra tank

[Amandas tank]

Looking good! Thanks for the update!!

[Tetranerd]

Originally Posted by Amandas tank

Looking good! Thanks for the update!!

Thanks!

Now I'm looking at filtration. I have 2 Aquaclear 50s on the tank now, but water is not getting as clear as I'd like. I've looked at a number of filtration systems, read over posts here on the forum and looked at pricing.

I'm considering either upgrading to 2 Aquaclear 110s or changing to a canister. Would like to keep cost to what the Aquaclears would cost. Any suggestions for a good canister filter for my 90 gal? What would be the benefit of moving from HOB to canister?

[Amandas tank]

I am in the process of doing this very thing. Replacing my 2 HOBS for 2 medium canisters. I think it's just more of a personal preference really. My HOBs have been working great, but I don't like the water fall that I get because it knocks my fish around if they pass under it and it is noisy. I liked the sound the first year, but now I hate it. I did eleviate the waterfalls for awhile by keeping the water level high enough the filter flow would just ripple across the surface, but that didn't work too good when we had an eartquake 2 weeks ago. Water was slopping out both sides of my tank and I thought fish were going to be carried right out with it!

I also like that canisters have more room for biological filtration as well as being hidden away from view

[Tetranerd]

I find the waterfall noise rather soothing, but I can see where it could become irritating. Not sure if just upping the HOB capacity will clean things up as much as I'd like.

Can I ask which canisters you're considering? Won't be able to do anything until after Christmas, but do like to research before jumping.

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[Amandas tank]

Originally Posted by Tetranerd

I find the waterfall noise rather soothing, but I can see where it could become irritating. Not sure if just upping the HOB capacity will clean things up as much as I'd like.

Can I ask which canisters you're considering? Won't be able to do anything until after Christmas, but do like to research before jumping.

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I am getting two Rena Filstar XP2's. It took me a year of reading reviews about canisters before I finally settled. There's a lot to concider and something often overlooked is what is available to you if something goes wrong and you need replacement parts. I will not have a problem with this here. Also, there hasn't been many negative reviews about leaking, broken latches, cracks ect with this brand like some of the others.

[Tetranerd]

Thanks! I'll add your information to my decision pool. It helps immensely.

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[Amandas tank]

Originally Posted by Tetranerd

Thanks! I'll add your information to my decision pool. It helps immensely.

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Sure thing!

[Tetranerd]

Well, it's not a brand name, but we'll see how it works. I just bought an Odyssea CF500 canister filter for the tank. I will pull one of the AquaClear 50s and see how things go. BTW, I added pre-filter sponges on the intakes of the AquaClears and it made a HUGE difference in water clarity.

Just got in a shipment of 3 albino BN plecos and a HUGE mat of Java fern and Bolbitis heudoliti from here on the forum and they're adding a good note to the tank. Update pictures in a bit.

Thanks for looking!

[Amandas tank]

Originally Posted by Tetranerd

Well, it's not a brand name, but we'll see how it works. I just bought an Odyssea CF500 canister filter for the tank. I will pull one of the AquaClear 50s and see how things go. BTW, I added pre-filter sponges on the intakes of the AquaClears and it made a HUGE difference in water clarity.

Just got in a shipment of 3 albino BN plecos and a HUGE mat of Java fern and Bolbitis heudoliti from here on the forum and they're adding a good note to the tank. Update pictures in a bit.

Thanks for looking!

Great! Sounds like things are going well for you. Looking forward to seeing your new pics

[Tetranerd]

Tank with new plants & inhabitants. Still need more plant height in the corners. I think it's time to trim the water wisteria & see what I can do with that. What I have has doubled in the past month. Will also be adding Hygrophilia pinnafitada (sp?) to the tank soon. We'll see how it will do in the higher light areas of the tank.

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[Tetranerd]

One if my 3 new bristle nose pleco

Another on the Amazon sword

Right side of tank with black skirts & cardinals showing off for the cameras. Can't get the cories out with the lights on

Left side of tank with a bank of bolbitis

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[Amandas tank]

Congrats on your new Bristlenose! I love them

[Tetranerd]

Tank today - new filter installed (boy is it quiet!), a few new floaters & everything growing in nicely


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[Tetranerd]

So, when I installed the new Odyssey CF500, I put a plastic bag around it just in case. When I checked on it this afternoon, it was a good thing I did. Apparently, I didn't get the quick connect heads down tight all the way. I had a couple gallons of water in the bag. Have corrected the issue & further tightened the edge bolts, double-bagged it & have it running again.

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[Tetranerd]

Tank as of today. A few judicious additions, a few minor plant rearrangements & a recent major trim & replant. Next project is developing a corral for the floaters so they stay where the light for them is & provide the filtered light needed for the plants below. CFS500 is working great except getting air in from somewhere, which makes it a little noisier than silent. Suggestions, helpful hints or ideas are all greatly appreciated!

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