Filter acceptable for 40G Breeder??

[HopefulHobbiest]

is this filter acceptable for a 40G Breeder that will hold only a pair of GBR and their fry??

Fluval® Underwater Filter - Internal Filters - Filters - PetSmart

i was thinking a canister at first and if this won't work then i'll still grab the canister but i wanted to check first.

thanks

 

[Laser]

I think this filter is too weak for a 40 gallon breeder. I have 3 HOB's on my 40b, but there are 3 fancy goldfish in it. I recommend something that is rated at 400 gph such as an Aquaclear 110 or a Marineland 350-400. You can do a canister if you are inclined, I just don't like them. I have a Marineland Magnum sitting in the garage because I hate it.

Edit: Actually, now that I read your post again I would recommend a sponge filter if you are only going to have GBR and their fry. I like the hydro pro sponge filters. Just hook them up to an air pump with an airstone and you have excellent biological filtration along with decent mechanical filtration. Also, none of your fry will be sucked up by the filter.

 

[HopefulHobbiest]

any chance you could post a link to one of these sponge filters??

and yes i plan to have the pair and their fry... maybe some shrimp or something like that but not going to overboard since this will be a breeding only tank

 

[Laser]

Not the prettiest things to put in your tank, but they are highly recommended for fry.

Aquarium Internal Filters: ATI Hydro-Sponge Pro Filters at Foster and Smith Aquatics

 

[HopefulHobbiest]

looks pretty interesting... though i'm not to sure how well it would work.

 

[Laser]

You'd be surprised how well they work.

 

[HopefulHobbiest]

it mentioned the need for a power head? is that part true or could you use a normal air line?

 

[delfisherman]

how the heck do the exactly work by just putting an airstone in there with pump

 

[oscerman]

Id get an AC 70 and put a sponge over the intank. VERY good filter!

 

[HopefulHobbiest]

I have a spare AC70 id have to clean it really well though lol

 

[Laser]

You don't need a powerhead but they work with it. You hook the airline up to it with an airstone attached. The airstone sits toward the middle of the sponge filter in a tube. The air pump creates air bubbles that rise through the tube, but because the air bubbles have no where to go except for up through the tube it pulls water in through the sponge creating the filtration effect. The biological filtration from a sponge filter is very good.

http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/sponge_filtration.html

This site explains how they work and how they are beneficial and compares them to other types of filtration.

 

[HopefulHobbiest]

Good to know, ill read the article and see what they say

 

[HopefulHobbiest]

ok so in theory it looks really good, although i dunno if i'm completely sold on the idea...

i have/had a HOB breeder box that worked on the same basic idea of an air line plugged up to it but the water circulation in the box is not what it should be... how can i be sure these sponges will actually provide decent circulation for a breeding tank? to me it seems like there would be a lot of stagnent(sp) water.

the prices are amazing but until i can be sure it will work beyond a doubt i may have to hold off.

 

[emerald76]

Google full tank sponge filter or read through the articles at angelsplus.com. They have a lot of good info on them.

 

[HopefulHobbiest]

Ok ill check that out and see what they have to say about it

 

[GBHammbone]

The pro series is for use with powerheads, the standard is for use with airstones. the airstone sits in the bottom and as the bubbles go up the pipe, they create a suction which brings water in through the slits in the tube in the sponge part. I keep a couple going in my tank incase of needing to get a fry tank going quick (many fry love to feed on them) or if i need to quick start a hospital/quarantine tank.

 

[HopefulHobbiest]

the purpose and usage of these filters is appealing, but my concern is the turnover rate.

i'm trying to find a filter for a 40G Breeder tank but somehow i don't see how these sponge filters can turnover 400GPH using only the vaccum created by air bubbles....

sorry, i'm just a huge skeptic lol

 

[GBHammbone]

go with a spong prefilter over the intake of your hob. the sponge filter is not going to move 400 gallons. but for a light bio load like fry or shrimp i would be ok with just the sponge, but if the breeding pair will be in there too, i would do a prefilter, just my opinion.

 

[HopefulHobbiest]

I honestly plan on only having the breeding pair and the fry... not sure if I wanna add shrimp

Edit- i just read your post again and i see what you're saying... i'll probably use either my spare AC70 or buy a fluval 306 and modify the intake tube.

 

[GBHammbone]

Yea,just reread what i posted, was a little confusing, but you got it.