blackws6ta
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2011
- Messages
- 26
I am looking at getting a fluval for my 40 gallon. A 306 should be good for my size correct? I have been back and forth on the filter quandary for days now just like the OP.
If you rinse in tap water the chlorine from the water will kill your BB. You can treat a bucket of clean water and use it after the initial rinse in the tank water.
You can rinse the foam in a canister in whatever you want, at least as long as you're using some kind of media like biostars, bio balls, or ceramic rings which in a fluval canister there's no reason why you wouldn't be using them.
I am looking at getting a fluval for my 40 gallon. A 306 should be good for my size correct? I have been back and forth on the filter quandary for days now just like the OP.
Wow i have a LOT to learn. Foam? Biostars? Bio balls? Ceramic ring?
Thanks, wow that was a lot of info but greatly appreciated. I definitely need to study up. So anything other info i can get is Great!!!!!! Thanks again you are a ton of help and Greatly appreciated!!!!!!
Dumb question what does BB stand for?
Beneficial bacteria, that's the bacteria that turns your ammonia into nitrite then nitrite into nitrate.
When I started out in the hobby I had no clue whatsoever what I was doing, then through the people on this forum and my own research I've learned so much and I'm able to provide for my pets the way they need, so I'm always happy to pass on information to someone else so they can have the best experience possible with this amazing hobby, just paying it forward. Anything else don't be afraid to ask!
Ok that is what I thought it stood for but wanted to know for sure
And that is exactly what I am trying to do. I have only been doing this hobby for a few months now. And just within the past few weeks upgrade to a large tank (well 36 gallon is large to me). So i am trying to get the set up to make the fish healthy and happy. And the knowledge so I can do that. Also love to watch my daughter watch the fish she just loves them!!!! Eventually I would love to have a 55-60 gallon tank but I want to have this 36 gallon for a while and get all the knowledge I can and for this tank to operate smoothly and healthy before I try to get a bigger tank.
Sounds like you're off to a great start. You will enjoy the performance of a canister compared to a HOB filter, and maintenance isn't that difficult at all once you get it down.
My advice would be to run the old filter simultaneously with the new for about a month or two so the BB will colonize the bio-media in the canister. Once done and your tank inhabitants look happy, turn off and either remove the HOB or fit it with very fine filter floss and use it for water polishing.
Even with the new filter, remember that weekly water changes of at least 25% are essential to a healthy tank.
And beware bigger tanks. Those weekly water changes add up on the water bill (ask me how I know!).
Run multiple filters. If one breaks down unexpectedly you will still have one running. I also made the switch to a canister. I was running a Penguin biowheel (without the wheel) 150 and a whisper 30. I removed the whisper 30, added a marineland C220, but kept the biowheel. Ive only got some floss in it, but it makes it easy to add a bag of anything to without having to get into your canister. I had a bag of carbon in there after a substrate change and have a water softener pillow in right now. Normally though, I'll just have some floss in there. Extra water circulation and a backup incase one filter fails is safe.
Would the 406 be way to much???
If you have the money, no. You can never over filter.