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Robin
Age: 40
Joined: 21 Apr 2008
Posts: 21
Location: North Carolina
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Hello everyone! I really need some opinions and suggestions as to what kind of filter to buy. I plan to buy a 20 gallon tank for Red Cherry Shrimp but have no clue what type of filter to purchase. I want any babies to be safe and have heard about sponge filters but don't know the setup with the intake tube of a regular filter. I cannot spend a lot of money but do not want to get a cheapo filter that will not do it's job. All suggestions and opinions are welcome! Thank you  |
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Ulli Bauer
Crustaforum-Team
Age: 34
Joined: 04 Mar 2008
Posts: 288
Location: Weinstadt
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Hi Robin,
I run my 17G tank on a hang-on filter (AquaClear 20, no idea if those are available in the US). I secured the intake tube by a very fine filter sponge. This doesn't only keep out shrimp and snails, but also provides additional surface for filter bacteria.
I like this better than an interior filter - you never get those totally shrimp safe.
Have you seen our Hamburg Mat Filter do-it-yourself threads?
http://www.crustaforum.com/topic,227,-hamburg-mat-filter-%28hmf%29.html
http://www.crustaforum.com/topic,325,-cylindrical-hamburg-mat-filter.html
These kinds of filters are very inexpensive, run practically maintenance-free for years and last a very long time.
The only reason why I didn't put one of those in my big tank was that I had already bought that HOB before I knew about the HMF. When that's broken, I'll replace it by one.
Cheers
Ulli |
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If it ain't broken, don't repair it. |
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Robin
Age: 40
Joined: 21 Apr 2008
Posts: 21
Location: North Carolina
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Hey Ulli - thank you so much for your post!  We do have Aqua Clear filters in the U.S. I'm going to have to look into that brand/model more closely.
As for the sponge filter, do you buy that seperate and just add it to the end of the intake tube on the Aqua Clear filter?
I do have a 6 gal tank (with Danios and Ghost shrimp) but the filter came already included. Does the Aqua Clear filter use replaceable filters? The picture I was able to find on the internet does not really show it clearly nor does the description of the filter.
Thank you so much for the information!
Robin |
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Ulli Bauer
Crustaforum-Team
Age: 34
Joined: 04 Mar 2008
Posts: 288
Location: Weinstadt
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Hi Robin,
you're welcome.
I bought the cylindrical filter sponge separately; it was meant for an air-driven filter and fits the intake tube perfectly. Make sure you get one that is not bored through or plug the hole up on one side.
In my filter there is a sponge (this goes in first) and a net filled with BioMax (appears to be fired clay). These provide plenty of surfaces for the bacs to live. I didn't put in the carbon insert, I only use that for removing chemicals (e.g. after a medical treatment).
The company says to replace those media (but only one at a time), however, I've been running that filter for over a year now and have never replaced any. When the flow gets weaker I just wash them out under lukewarm water (also only one at a time, usually washing out the filter sponge around the intake tube will do).
Here's the company page with information regarding this HOB: http://www.hagen.com/usa/aquatic/basic/4-6.cfm
My type of filter is sold under the name of AquaClear mini, according to the list on this page.
Cheers
Ulli |
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If it ain't broken, don't repair it. |
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Robin
Age: 40
Joined: 21 Apr 2008
Posts: 21
Location: North Carolina
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| Thanks again Ulli - great information!! |
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Robin
Age: 40
Joined: 21 Apr 2008
Posts: 21
Location: North Carolina
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Another question - if the filter is on the outside, then that means that there is no lid on the tank - correct? I think I'd prefer a lid; I don't want any jumpers....
What's your opinion? |
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Ulli Bauer
Crustaforum-Team
Age: 34
Joined: 04 Mar 2008
Posts: 288
Location: Weinstadt
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I have all my shrimp except for the Amanos and tigers in open tanks, and I have only once had a jumper that had climbed on the interior filter I still had back then and went off in the wrong direction.
Shrimp only leave the water when the parameters have gone awry and it's a matter of life and death, or if you have a too strong flow in the tank they have to fight.
I kinda like it when the plants grow out of the water.
The one tank with the HOB I was talking about above even has a lid. I made it myself out of a simple pane of plexiglass and just sawed out a clearance for the filter.
Cheers
Ulli |
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Robin
Age: 40
Joined: 21 Apr 2008
Posts: 21
Location: North Carolina
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| I had heard of jumpers but did not know why they do it; thanks for the information. What a good idea - make my own lid! Thanks again |
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Ulli Bauer
Crustaforum-Team
Age: 34
Joined: 04 Mar 2008
Posts: 288
Location: Weinstadt
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Hi Robin,
I've just made a pic of my lid with the HOB, viewed from above.
Cheers
Ulli |
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Robin
Age: 40
Joined: 21 Apr 2008
Posts: 21
Location: North Carolina
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