[RWS_1063]

Can someone tell me what is the best kind of filter to to use in a planted tank? I am using natural soil for my substraight. Reason i am asking is i have be given a marineland h.o.t. Magnum 250 with a pro 30 bio-wheel. Are bio-wheels alright to use?

 

[Darkblade48]

HOB filters are fine, depending on what you are doing.

For example, if you are injecting CO2, you will want to minimize the amount of surface disruption there is, so a HOB filter may not be the best choice (the filter return waterfall creates quite a bit of surface disruption).

In addition, the biowheel adds more surface area, allowing CO2 to off gas faster.

Of course, this is not really a problem if you are not planning to inject CO2.

 

[RWS_1063]

Filters

Thanks darkblade48....so what is the best filter to use if injecting c02

 

[Darkblade48]

I see I forgot to mention that

Canister filters are "better" (there really is no "best"), since they usually have adjustable returns and you can adjust the amount of surface agitation.

HOBs work fine too, it is just that to adjust the level of surface agitation, you have to increase/decrease the water level.