Low-Tech - Which Filter?

anonapersona · 11-24-2003, 12:32 PM

Hoping others will jump in here, I'm not actually experienced enough to know how to answer you. I have all 55 watt bulbs. I can say that 4 x 55 watts on my 59 gallon tank is too much I think, at 3.7 wpg, and I suspect that 2.7 wpg would be OK.

As for DIY CO2, while 30 gallon is often regarded as the upper limit, a larger jug like a Gatorade jug and provide more gas, and you can use two bottles as needed, so I say go for it. The better the reactor, the more leeway you have. I use a PowerGuild internal power reactor in one tank and a DIY copy of it in another. If you don't mind internal equipment, it works great. Easy enough to spring for a tank and regulator set later as the cash is available. Or keep your eyes open for someone sellling used equipment.

m.lemay · 11-24-2003, 09:14 PM

Quote:

EDIT: What about the GE Aqua Rays 9325K? With similiar wattage, would these be comparable to the 55w PC version? Here's a link: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...;N=2004+113177

Thats the bulb you need to get. The 55watt 9325K is patterned after these.
I have one of these 15 watt 9325 ks over a 10 gal low tech tank and I'm seeing decent growth.

hypsophrys · 11-24-2003, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m.lemay

Thats the bulb you need to get. The 55watt 9325K is patterned after these.
I have one of these 15 watt 9325 ks over a 10 gal low tech tank and I'm seeing decent growth.

Awesome, that's what I'll do. I think I'll put together a 4-ficture hood, start with two bulbs, and work my way up.

Are 36" bulbs actually 36"? I've seen 36" strip lights (i.e. from all-glass), that are supposed to fit over a 40 gallon. What's the deal with that? Are the bulbs a little shorter than 36"?

Thanks guys,
Ian

hypsophrys · 11-24-2003, 10:25 PM

anona, re: DIY,

I am thinking I may end up doing something like that. What do you think of those large glass apple-cider jugs? They'd look a little neater than a plastic bottle, which is important since I am not going to have a lot of under-tank space.

Ian

anonapersona · 11-24-2003, 11:50 PM

whatever you use will still look like a Mad Scientist! Bottles and tubes coming out, bubble counter, more tubes. Really, just make a curtain with a velcro top. I keep planning to do that, but haven't yet. that way I could adjust it to cover the whole under shelf, or just the part with stuff, to let the Q tank be seen.

hypsophrys · 11-25-2003, 03:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anonapersona

whatever you use will still look like a Mad Scientist!

:twisted:

fishyboy · 11-25-2003, 12:03 PM

i'd get a filstar xp2 or 3 for that tank not a fluval

hypsophrys · 11-25-2003, 03:26 PM

Yeah, I've noticed that Filstars are more popular with planted-tank-types. cichlidophiles usually go for Fluval, or better yet, Eheim. Why is that?

Rex Grigg · 11-25-2003, 03:29 PM

We spend so much money on lights and substrates that we want to save a bit of cash where we can.

Actually there are a lot of planted tank people that use Eheim. I just can't bring myself to spend that much more money for what little improvement you get.

hypsophrys · 11-25-2003, 04:23 PM

That makes sense.

anonapersona · 11-25-2003, 06:13 PM

If you can swing the cost of the Eheim, it is easy to justify on a $/year basis. so many stories of 10, 20, 30 year old Eheims!

hypsophrys · 11-25-2003, 08:43 PM

Not to mention that the old-school 2213 is only $64.99 at Big Al's. That's includes a "Plus Kit," which I imagine is filter media? If so, that's a great deal. Here's the link:

http://www.bigalsonline.com/cgi-bin/...s&inSub=20

Ian

EDIT: I called Big Al's, The "Plus Kit" includes EhfiMech, Coarse/Fine Pads, EhfiSubstrat, AND all hoses/fittings.

xtremeyolks · 11-26-2003, 07:00 AM

if your tank is in a bedroom or somewhere that you want the tank to be quiet definitely get an eheim. I have a eheim 2026 in my bedroom and it's completely silent. I also have a filstar xp3 on the same tank and it's quite a bit louder than the eheim. You can definitely hear the hummmm of the xp3........

fishyboy · 11-26-2003, 11:56 AM

but the ''hum'' is much quiter than bio-wheels

hypsophrys · 11-26-2003, 03:41 PM

Yep, I'm going with the Eheim 2213, 72w (4x18w) 9325K NO, and no CO2 to begin with. However, I have a clear upgrade path on the lights (to 144w), and would then use DIY...

Substrate: still thinking Eco-Complete plus Tahitian Moon Sand.

Last question, while I am here: Besides periodical root tabs for Crypts, how would you folks fertilize this tank?

Thanks for all the advice and ideas!

Ian

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11-24-2003, 12:32 PM	#16
anonapersona Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,614	Hoping others will jump in here, I'm not actually experienced enough to know how to answer you. I have all 55 watt bulbs. I can say that 4 x 55 watts on my 59 gallon tank is too much I think, at 3.7 wpg, and I suspect that 2.7 wpg would be OK. As for DIY CO2, while 30 gallon is often regarded as the upper limit, a larger jug like a Gatorade jug and provide more gas, and you can use two bottles as needed, so I say go for it. The better the reactor, the more leeway you have. I use a PowerGuild internal power reactor in one tank and a DIY copy of it in another. If you don't mind internal equipment, it works great. Easy enough to spring for a tank and regulator set later as the cash is available. Or keep your eyes open for someone sellling used equipment.

11-24-2003, 10:25 PM	#19
hypsophrys Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 225	anona, re: DIY, I am thinking I may end up doing something like that. What do you think of those large glass apple-cider jugs? They'd look a little neater than a plastic bottle, which is important since I am not going to have a lot of under-tank space. Ian

11-24-2003, 11:50 PM	#20
anonapersona Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,614	whatever you use will still look like a Mad Scientist! Bottles and tubes coming out, bubble counter, more tubes. Really, just make a curtain with a velcro top. I keep planning to do that, but haven't yet. that way I could adjust it to cover the whole under shelf, or just the part with stuff, to let the Q tank be seen.

11-25-2003, 12:03 PM	#22
fishyboy Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: central IL Posts: 793	i'd get a filstar xp2 or 3 for that tank not a fluval

11-25-2003, 03:26 PM	#23
hypsophrys Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 225	Yeah, I've noticed that Filstars are more popular with planted-tank-types. cichlidophiles usually go for Fluval, or better yet, Eheim. Why is that?

11-25-2003, 03:29 PM	#24
Rex Grigg Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (65/100%) Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland Orygun Posts: 9,600	We spend so much money on lights and substrates that we want to save a bit of cash where we can. Actually there are a lot of planted tank people that use Eheim. I just can't bring myself to spend that much more money for what little improvement you get.

11-25-2003, 04:23 PM	#25
hypsophrys Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 225	That makes sense.

11-25-2003, 06:13 PM	#26
anonapersona Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,614	If you can swing the cost of the Eheim, it is easy to justify on a $/year basis. so many stories of 10, 20, 30 year old Eheims!

11-25-2003, 08:43 PM	#27
hypsophrys Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 225	Not to mention that the old-school 2213 is only $64.99 at Big Al's. That's includes a "Plus Kit," which I imagine is filter media? If so, that's a great deal. Here's the link: http://www.bigalsonline.com/cgi-bin/...s&inSub=20 Ian EDIT: I called Big Al's, The "Plus Kit" includes EhfiMech, Coarse/Fine Pads, EhfiSubstrat, AND all hoses/fittings.

11-26-2003, 07:00 AM	#28
xtremeyolks Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: fremont, CA Posts: 38	if your tank is in a bedroom or somewhere that you want the tank to be quiet definitely get an eheim. I have a eheim 2026 in my bedroom and it's completely silent. I also have a filstar xp3 on the same tank and it's quite a bit louder than the eheim. You can definitely hear the hummmm of the xp3........

11-26-2003, 11:56 AM	#29
fishyboy Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: central IL Posts: 793	but the ''hum'' is much quiter than bio-wheels

11-26-2003, 03:41 PM	#30
hypsophrys Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 225	Yep, I'm going with the Eheim 2213, 72w (4x18w) 9325K NO, and no CO2 to begin with. However, I have a clear upgrade path on the lights (to 144w), and would then use DIY... Substrate: still thinking Eco-Complete plus Tahitian Moon Sand. Last question, while I am here: Besides periodical root tabs for Crypts, how would you folks fertilize this tank? Thanks for all the advice and ideas! Ian