What kind of filtration system do I have??

[LesterMo]

I just got a 50 gal high top tank. This thing has a big black box that goes from the bottom to the top of the tank. Inside are two filter pads that are about 2 foot high, rolled up, and are wrapped up in a black mesh of some sort. The lady i got this from has had it since 1995 and told me that this was a protein skimmer, but when i searched for them i got something completely different. One of the filters is very dirty and i cant seem to find out what they are, let alone how to go about finding a new one or trying to salvage this one. Any help would be VERY appreciated.

[Cichlidguy]

a picture would help

[jsoong]

How do you circulate water in this filter? Where is the water pump?

It might be an "internal filter", or possibly this is a corner overflow/wet/dry if this is a drilled tank.

Check out this picture ... looks anything like this?

http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/...d1=2885;pcid2=

[LesterMo]

No, this thing has a warter pump in the top of it, and two separate chambers each with a filter. I am in the process of getting my web cam fixed, when i do i'll post a pic of the tank and the filter.

[Devilishturtles]

Could be a protein skimmer...I don't know too much about them. It sounds to me like it could be an external filter, let me find you a link...

http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/...tegory_id=2881

This is a big one for ponds, but sorta like this maybe? A picture would definitley help.

[flipz]

Water pump with two seperate chambers each w/ a filter sounds like a HOB type filter. Like the penguin 330.

http://www.petco.com/assets/product_...743190083B.jpg

but that wouldn't explain it going all the way from the bottom to the top...

-brent

[Maillis]

Sounds like an overflow to me

[jsoong]

What is the water flow path? From some slots/holes in the bottom & out at the top?

If so, then this is an internal filter, or possibly some kind of box filter (maybe even home built), or possibly one of those quick filter thing attached to a power head.

Is there some markings - like a brand name somewhere? I think a picture will be most helpful.

Oh, does the whole thing comes out of the tank? If so, it is not an overflow. Also, people usu. don't mount the pump on top of an overflow.

[rossmort]

Originally Posted by Maillis

Sounds like an overflow to me

I agree, It sounds like an overflow with the tubes of poly-filter stuff for mechanical only. Could have been a reef tank so the rocks would have been the bio filter or maybe there are bio-balls deeper into the overflow area. Who knows though.