Swapping my HOTB Filter

[AmberOwl145]

Hi everyone,

I've been using a Penguin hang on the back filter that came with my 33 gallon tank, and read good things about the AquaClear 50 Power Filter, Fish Tank Filter

It arrived, however I am currently finishing up some medication cycles in the tank that called for me to remove the carbon cartridge from my Penguin filter, so right now i'm operating without that (just the filter running).

Tomorrow night I'm going to do a 25% water change as the API General Cure instructions recommend, however instead of putting the filter cartridge in, I was thinking I'd just start anew with my AquaClear filter.


I understand that in a normal case, you'd put a piece of the existing filter with the new one to bring the good bacteria in, but I'd imagine in this case without a cartridge now, there would no be harm in just swapping the actual filter out in entirety (from Penguin to AquaClear)?

Wanted to get everyone's thoughts on this, and if you think that filter I ordered is good.

Thank you so much!

 

[Formulator]

Hi everyone,

I've been using a Penguin hang on the back filter that came with my 33 gallon tank, and read good things about the AquaClear 50 Power Filter, Fish Tank Filter

It arrived, however I am currently finishing up some medication cycles in the tank that called for me to remove the carbon cartridge from my Penguin filter, so right now i'm operating without that (just the filter running).

Tomorrow night I'm going to do a 25% water change as the API General Cure instructions recommend, however instead of putting the filter cartridge in, I was thinking I'd just start anew with my AquaClear filter.


I understand that in a normal case, you'd put a piece of the existing filter with the new one to bring the good bacteria in, but I'd imagine in this case without a cartridge now, there would no be harm in just swapping the actual filter out in entirety (from Penguin to AquaClear)?

Wanted to get everyone's thoughts on this, and if you think that filter I ordered is good.

Thank you so much!

Why are you running a HOB filter on a reef tank? Its not unheard of, but definitely not ideal.

 

[EricR]

As an HOB only reef tank keeper, I'll just say this:
Beneficial bacteria in your HOB media is not worth worrying about... your rock work has more.
I've used Penguin, Aquaclear, and Seachem across a few tanks.
I like the Seachem Tidal best,,, Aquaclear second,,, Penguin sucks (or too often fails to) ...my opinion only

 

[Formulator]

As an HOB only reef tank keeper, I'll just say this:
Beneficial bacteria in your HOB media is not worth worrying about... your rock work has more.
I've used Penguin, Aquaclear, and Seachem across a few tanks.
I like the Seachem Tidal best,,, Aquaclear second,,, Penguin sucks ...my opinion only

Why does one run HOB filters on reef tanks? Genuinely curious, not trying to be judgmental.

 

[MoshJosh]

As an HOB only reef tank keeper, I'll just say this:
Beneficial bacteria in your HOB media is not worth worrying about... your rock work has more.
I've used Penguin, Aquaclear, and Seachem across a few tanks.
I like the Seachem Tidal best,,, Aquaclear second,,, Penguin sucks (or too often fails to) ...my opinion only

I agree with this, it is probably not a big deal. I also agree that the Tidal filters are probably the best (unless you are using as a fuge or with a custom media basket, in which case I vote Aquaclear). I use Tidal 35 on my 11 gallon FYI. . .

 

[EricR]

Why does one run HOB filters on reef tanks? Genuinely curious, not trying to be judgmental.

Space constraints -- long story -- wife-approved nook in house that evolved over tank transfers into largest tank that can fit there (40 breeder).

 

[KC2020]

Why are you running a HOB filter on a reef tank? Its not unheard of, but definitely not ideal.

I did so for about 30 years. I ran it filled with rock rubble and it was effetely the sump I didn't have. You can put a bag of carbon in it, or name your media of choice. Very effective filters that do a good job of aerating and creating surface movement.

 

[KC2020]

As an HOB only reef tank keeper, I'll just say this:
Beneficial bacteria in your HOB media is not worth worrying about... your rock work has more.
I've used Penguin, Aquaclear, and Seachem across a few tanks.
I like the Seachem Tidal best,,, Aquaclear second,,, Penguin sucks (or too often fails to) ...my opinion only

Bingo ! We have a winner

 

[Naekuh]

Why does one run HOB filters on reef tanks? Genuinely curious, not trying to be judgmental.

You can mod the tidals into refugiums.
You can throw carbon on them for chemical filtration.
You can put purigen in as well.

The bucket caddy offers a LOT of space.
You do not need to run the sponge so it wont become a nitrate factory.

The only downside is its UGLY as hell, having a black box sit outside the rim of your tank.

But it makes things a LOT easier to maintain.

 

[GARRIGA]

I’d seriously look into a canister. HOB are easy to manage but canisters have little bypass therefore more efficient at filtering all the water and being larger can go longer without maintenance yet no chance of overflowing. HOB can clog and spill water over the sides. Something I’ve experienced with the Tidal.

Fluval FX2 ran at half open will run about 170 GPH if loaded with media and sponges. Can use smaller but those have two compartments and can handle a large amount of media. Plus they have a UV that mounts direct although not sure how effective that one is and likely nothing more than a clarifier although they claim 6w UV-C. Almost the amount of UV-C a 25w Pentair generates.

 

[AmberOwl145]

Why are you running a HOB filter on a reef tank? Its not unheard of, but definitely not ideal.

Apologies for not clarifying; I do not have a reef tank, just saltwater with macro

 

[AmberOwl145]

I’d seriously look into a canister. HOB are easy to manage but canisters have little bypass therefore more efficient at filtering all the water and being larger can go longer without maintenance yet no chance of overflowing. HOB can clog and spill water over the sides. Something I’ve experienced with the Tidal.

Fluval FX2 ran at half open will run about 170 GPH if loaded with media and sponges. Can use smaller but those have two compartments and can handle a large amount of media. Plus they have a UV that mounts direct although not sure how effective that one is and likely nothing more than a clarifier although they claim 6w UV-C. Almost the amount of UV-C a 25w Pentair generates.

wow this is really interesting, thanks so much for the suggestion.

I read a few things about clarifiers/UV - wanted to see what you thought - the articles said how they aren't as good for your tank as it seems, killing things in the process that shouldn't be killed, all for the pursuit of cleaner water which aesthetically looks good for humans, but in reality isn't needed for fish. I also read some articles saying how it helps, so obviously there's a lot of points on both sides.

What do you think about it?

 

[Malum Argenteum]

being larger can go longer without maintenance yet no chance of overflowing

Filter maintenance helps maintain water quality (removal of organic material before it degrades into dissolved nutrients; maintaining high flow rates through filter by cleaning mechanical prefilters; timely swaps of chemical media). When a filter encourages infrequent maintenance, that is not a feature -- that's a bug.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Why does one run HOB filters on reef tanks? Genuinely curious, not trying to be judgmental.

Large penguin 450's are huge, converted one to a refugium, just removed everything and added a light, used a aquaclear with just filter floss on my first Reef tank. Worked great. Rocks did everything else.

 

[GARRIGA]

wow this is really interesting, thanks so much for the suggestion.

I read a few things about clarifiers/UV - wanted to see what you thought - the articles said how they aren't as good for your tank as it seems, killing things in the process that shouldn't be killed, all for the pursuit of cleaner water which aesthetically looks good for humans, but in reality isn't needed for fish. I also read some articles saying how it helps, so obviously there's a lot of points on both sides.

What do you think about it?

Don't need to run it 24/7 but when ran it does minimize the number of pathogens if it's a sterilizer otherwise reduces the algae spores if just a clarifier. Probably more important for fish than corals. Not a necessity but I'm going to be running one and if this is only a clarifier than I'll add a traditional UV for pathogen control.

It disrupts the DNA/RNA of lower cell organisms including bacteria both good and bad and why like anything else in life it has it's purpose but overuse can be detrimental. Too much water or oxygen can kill you. Supposedly doesn't affect higher life forms such as pods.

Pentair has information on their site on purpose and sizing.

 

[GARRIGA]

Filter maintenance helps maintain water quality (removal of organic material before it degrades into dissolved nutrients; maintaining high flow rates through filter by cleaning mechanical prefilters; timely swaps of chemical media). When a filter encourages infrequent maintenance, that is not a feature -- that's a bug.

My experience and knowledge doesn't agree with this. Yet manufacturers wanting consumers to buy constant media replacement sure do. Filters can go long periods without maintenance. Assuming one knows how to manage nitrates. Longer it stays closed the more decomposition completed and carbon dosing solves the remnants.

Canister maintain higher flow rates through media although tank turnover can be reduced to 2-3 times per hour. Longer the contact the better it filters. Doubt any canister has ever ran out of DO because then we'd have denitrification and ultimately hydrogen sulfide and latter would result in loss of all life.

Does house bugs which is a good thing. Plus that brown mulm is good and not bad just because it's ugly. Give it a try. I did in the 90s. Including the original HOB in the 70s and undergravel filters in the 80s and other lost cause in our hobby that according to literature is useless.

Reefers use reactors and yet fail to grasp the benefits of a canister. Think about that for a minute.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Personally I agree with others here that hob filter is beneficial but not necessary, I would not pay for an "upgrade" to hob filter, because the benefit is not upgraded.

 

[dmsc2fs]

nothing wrong with a HOB, or a canister, or a sump, or an AIO. It's the maintenance that is the issue. If you run socks and don't change them or floss and don't change it, that is no different than a canister or HOB that isn't maintained. A HOB looks much nicer than a HOB skimmer, or a auto feeder, or anything else we put on our tank. A HOB is a great solution for many people and needs.

//

You don't need to worry about a loss of bacteria swapping out HOBs. Your macros, gravel, rocks, heater, glass, etc. will be covered in bacteria. Swap away and go forward!

 

[AmberOwl145]

nothing wrong with a HOB, or a canister, or a sump, or an AIO. It's the maintenance that is the issue. If you run socks and don't change them or floss and don't change it, that is no different than a canister or HOB that isn't maintained. A HOB looks much nicer than a HOB skimmer, or a auto feeder, or anything else we put on our tank. A HOB is a great solution for many people and needs.

//

You don't need to worry about a loss of bacteria swapping out HOBs. Your macros, gravel, rocks, heater, glass, etc. will be covered in bacteria. Swap away and go forward!

Thanks so much. Do you think the cannisters put out a lot more water? I have seahorses so want to make sure the flow isn't too intense, I don't have any coral just seahorses and macros

 

[GARRIGA]

Thanks so much. Do you think the cannisters put out a lot more water? I have seahorses so want to make sure the flow isn't too intense, I don't have any coral just seahorses and macros

Canister flow can be adjusted but you should consider something smaller as most only can be cut in half. Don't fixate on empty canister flow rates advertised by manufacturers. See if there's a filtration rate when full of sponges and media. Same with HOB.

Best filter for sea horses and other flow restricted tanks being an undergravel filter as those won't affect the inhabitants including their food.

Here’s an example using the FX2, 450 max but actual usage being around 343 and cut in half you get around 170 which based on tank volume might work but I’d still consider something smaller.