tomherndon
Aquarium Advice Activist
my observations:
-HOB creates a lot of surface disturbance - not so good for keeping CO2 in solution and undirectable current may be rough on fish like bettas.
-Internal filters seem to occupy a lot of the space within such a small tank (not just the filter body, but the buffer between intake/output and tank residents). Some options allow for directing the output, but with varying specificity.
my impulse purchase:
I picked up a Rapids Mini Canister Filter, intending to use it on a 20 gallon tank, but realized it may overcome both of my reservations about mechanical filtration on a small planted tank. It lists* at 80 gph (prolly if it's pumping to itself). Even half of that is 8 turnovers an hour.
my assumptions for someone, anyone to shoot down
1) I can use some additional tubing to seat the filter out of sight (head pressure may help lower the flow rate too).
2) I can cut very small gaps for the hoses (in one rear corner, out the other) maximizing the canopy "seal," minimizing evaporative loss and maybe even maintaining a higher vapor pressure under the cover than surrounding atmosphere? may be stretching that last bit. ..
3) no bubbling = less or no filter associated degasing.
4) included outlet can be used as is or modified (additional pores) to minimize significant current, creating ease for slow moving/long finned/frail leafed inhabitants
5) I can run the filtration section with variable type or amount of media to leave some nitrate available to plants.
fire away!
-HOB creates a lot of surface disturbance - not so good for keeping CO2 in solution and undirectable current may be rough on fish like bettas.
-Internal filters seem to occupy a lot of the space within such a small tank (not just the filter body, but the buffer between intake/output and tank residents). Some options allow for directing the output, but with varying specificity.
my impulse purchase:
I picked up a Rapids Mini Canister Filter, intending to use it on a 20 gallon tank, but realized it may overcome both of my reservations about mechanical filtration on a small planted tank. It lists* at 80 gph (prolly if it's pumping to itself). Even half of that is 8 turnovers an hour.
my assumptions for someone, anyone to shoot down
1) I can use some additional tubing to seat the filter out of sight (head pressure may help lower the flow rate too).
2) I can cut very small gaps for the hoses (in one rear corner, out the other) maximizing the canopy "seal," minimizing evaporative loss and maybe even maintaining a higher vapor pressure under the cover than surrounding atmosphere? may be stretching that last bit. ..
3) no bubbling = less or no filter associated degasing.
4) included outlet can be used as is or modified (additional pores) to minimize significant current, creating ease for slow moving/long finned/frail leafed inhabitants
5) I can run the filtration section with variable type or amount of media to leave some nitrate available to plants.
fire away!