OscarZulu Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 <-- newb How would I convert this Aqueon Power 20 Filter into something that would efficiently help a beginner 20gal? I've heard to remove the cartridge completely... but what else should I do in that voided space now to help? I got 15lbs LR and 30lbs sand going. Week old. I like the Subcurrent filter because of the top skim. Should I go ahead with it instead? Thanks for any comments. Link to comment
HeyLookItsCaps Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 take out the filter pads.....put a screen across the exit area, get a 9w light for the back, plop some chaeto in there. HOB refugium.... Link to comment
seabass Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 ^This will work. Or you can run the stock cartridge for a week or so; however, it will eventually become a biological filter (which you don't want). Afterward, you can run it empty (for flow and surface agitation), or add some media (like activated carbon or GFO) in a media bag. You could even use some Poly-Fil, from Walmart's craft department, as a mechanical filter. Link to comment
OscarZulu Posted October 15, 2009 Author Share Posted October 15, 2009 Is it practical to replace my charcoal cartridge with a foam pad or marine land filter pad or polyester filter floss, etc... and throw in a few bio balls in the back of the filter? Does this make any sense or am I still in left field? I'm just looking at http://www.aquariumguys.com/mechanical.html and seeing what is suitable to use. Anybody's recommendations of other specific products would be really appreciated. Eventually I will upgrade, but for now I'm going to stick with this filter and do what I can to make it as efficient as possible. Back to the original post, should I consider replacing with a Subcurrent? I've read alot of good things about it and it seems like it would do more than the HOB. Thanks alot guys (and ladies) Link to comment
Symbiotic Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 Pura Pad I've used it for the past year in my Pico filter - change it each 2-weeks Link to comment
seabass Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 Is it practical to replace my charcoal cartridge with a foam pad or marine land filter pad or polyester filter floss, etc... and throw in a few bio balls in the back of the filter?The live rock is the biological filter, you don't want additional bio-media (like bio-balls). Like I stated, you could run activated carbon in a media bad (or Chemi Pure Elite), a Poly Filter, even some filter floss if you change it out frequently. Link to comment
streetsong Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 That is the most ingenious idea! I had never thought of putting chaeto into that type of filter, Great idea! Link to comment
OscarZulu Posted October 15, 2009 Author Share Posted October 15, 2009 take out the filter pads.....put a screen across the exit area, get a 9w light for the back, plop some chaeto in there. HOB refugium.... What kind of material do you use for your screen? I see that's a LED light you're using, right? Link to comment
OscarZulu Posted October 15, 2009 Author Share Posted October 15, 2009 I'm thinking of keeping this HOB filter and converting it to a refugium as pictured above and buying a Subcurrent for filtration w/ chemi-pure and floss.. ideas? Link to comment
EricD675 Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 Can you practical do this with any hob? The one I have contains 2 filters, basically filter floss with carbon and a sponge. I removed the sponge but left the carbon and filters in there. Could I just removed the filters and fill the place with chaeto? And throw a light in there. Link to comment
superdavesds Posted October 16, 2009 Share Posted October 16, 2009 Yep, as they stated befor, You dont need filters. The rock and sand do the bio for you. You can run Poly Fill for cleaning when you have a problem. Otherwise, lop in some cheato and throw a light over it. Instant fuge. Now you have nutrient competition. By having one with a double filter, you have a larger fuge. Works good. I think there is a guy on here, InTank, that sells really cool submersible leds that work good for this type of thing. Link to comment
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