Michigan Cichlid Association

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: dexternovice on April 24, 2015, 08:45:53 PM

Title: Filtration
Post by: dexternovice on April 24, 2015, 08:45:53 PM
This may be an exceedingly moronic question, but is it possible to over-filtrate a tank?
Title: Re: Filtration
Post by: kodyboy on April 24, 2015, 09:04:58 PM
If your fish are flattened against the glass or sucked up into the filter that is too much filtration:)  Seriously it is very difficult to overfilter a tank. It is easy to underfilter a tank and it is easy to make any filter function poorly with improper maintenance. Some fish do not do well with high water flow so those species would do poorly with a ton of filtration water flow.  I have yet to figure out how to overfilter a mbuna tank:)
Title: Re: Filtration
Post by: dexternovice on April 24, 2015, 09:11:25 PM
Cool.  I'm doing some experimental things combining different types of filtration and just thought I'd better ask.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Filtration
Post by: Ron on April 24, 2015, 09:49:13 PM
Cool.  I'm doing some experimental things combining different types of filtration and just thought I'd better ask.
Sounds fun! What are you trying?
Title: Re: Filtration
Post by: dexternovice on April 24, 2015, 10:03:15 PM
Cool.  I'm doing some experimental things combining different types of filtration and just thought I'd better ask.
Sounds fun! What are you trying?

Aquaponic filtration using cattails, bamboo,  charcoal and a Marina breeder box; a Hob rated for up to 20 gallons with purigen in it; and a sponge filter also rated at 20 gallons in a standard 20 gallon tank with one 3-3.5" male white top afra.  I'm trying to see what, if any, effect there is in relation to PH,  hardness, and overall clarity.  I'm sure that someone else has already done this but, it wasn't me and I have nothing but time.
Title: Re: Filtration
Post by: mibwb on April 25, 2015, 12:16:03 AM
What are you using for plant media? Some plant media can effect PH and hardness. IMO, the Purigen crosses out the charcoal for water clarity. The Purigen does a better job and cleans out impurities and is reusable. The cattails and bamboo will work good, just keep them trimmed low.
Title: Re: Filtration
Post by: dexternovice on April 25, 2015, 01:07:05 AM
What are you using for plant media? Some plant media can effect PH and hardness. IMO, the Purigen crosses out the charcoal for water clarity. The Purigen does a better job and cleans out impurities and is reusable. The cattails and bamboo will work good, just keep them trimmed low.

Good stuff.  I'm using sand as the plant media. It may be naive but I figured that it being inert would eliminate it as an issue.  There is only enough in there to support the plants.
Title: Re: Filtration
Post by: GrizzlysDad on April 25, 2015, 02:37:17 AM
If your fish are flattened against the glass or sucked up into the filter that is too much filtration


LOL, Scott.....that was some funny chit right there!
Title: Re: Filtration
Post by: mibwb on April 25, 2015, 02:53:43 AM
What are you using for plant media? Some plant media can effect PH and hardness. IMO, the Purigen crosses out the charcoal for water clarity. The Purigen does a better job and cleans out impurities and is reusable. The cattails and bamboo will work good, just keep them trimmed low.

Good stuff.  I'm using sand as the plant media. It may be naive but I figured that it being inert would eliminate it as an issue.  There is only enough in there to support the plants.

Sounds good..not all sand is inert...depends what it consists of. But you're using so little, it shouldn't matter on the kind. I hope the hobby keeps your interest for years to come. And you keep asking questions...there are always more than one answer.