Filter(s) for 30 gal L brackish tanks

[ChesapeakeSwellfish]

Confession time: I'm STILL using 20 year old Whisper 2 "secondnature" HOB filters on my puffer tanks. One 30 gal. has a single GSP 2.5" and the other has one F8 1.75".

Slide rule and abacus at my side notwithstanding, I'm not a complete Luddite - opinions and suggestions, mocking remarks, etc. all welcome. Want to do what's best with this millenium's technology for my puffs.

[RTR]

I would use either of two filtration schemes, both of which have worked well for me:

1) Dedicated bio-only canister* (Eheim 2211 or 2213) charged with Dupla MiniKaskade balls or Eheim Ehfimech noodles) only as internal loading, but with a FilterMaxIII prefilter in place of the strainer on the intake. Return spray bar at the bottom rear of the tank, outputs aimed vertically upward.

*Ref: http://www.thepufferforum.com/articles/ ... ister.html

Mechanical would be by two each Fluval2 (now 2a or 2Plus, not as good but will serve) internals in the corners of the tank, outputs set to provide an overall circular current in the tank.

The canister prefilter and the two internals would be rinsed weekly at least (tap water is fine, bacteria are in the external canister).

Substrate would be aragonite, 2-3mm particle size, ~1/2" depth, vacummed weekly.

2) Biofiltration by OE-RFUG** set with double screens, substrate depth 1-2". RFUG driven by 2 each Penguin 1140s each with Penguin RFUG kit fitted. If the provided prefilter sponge is too coarse, it can be replaced with a FilterMaxI (very fine) or III (moderate).

**Ref: http://www.thepufferforum.com/articles/ ... lters.html

Mechanical filtration and current as in the first format, filter upkeep the same as well.

Only surface vacuuming in generally needed with this setup, but periodically ornaments should be lifted and their site vacuumed, just in case.

For one F-8 in a 20-long I might drop back to 2 each Penguin 660s to drive the RFUG, but I would likely stay with the larger heavier pump if it did not heat the tank too much. For a 30, it would be the heavier pumps. Ambient temps count here - mine are warmish. I would definitely use the RFUG option for the F-8 because it will provide sinificantly better buffering and alkalinity support in the light BW used for these fish.

For the GSP in the 30, it is purely personal choice, and the canister is less visually intrusive, so more aesthetic. At high BW and full SW, additional buffering is not as significant or as needed. The substrate will stay cleaner and the bioload lighter with the RFUG however.

Both these options are rather equipment-heavy, but that is the way I operate my tanks.

HTH.

[ChesapeakeSwellfish]

Thanks RTR - your advice is certainly consistent!

I'm leaning toward your option 1 for the GSP and option 2 for the F8 - however, I am concerned about the UG going anaerobic in the event of a power failure, something on my mind as 4 to 6 inches of sleet is forecast for tonight.

It appears that Eheim 2211 is no longer available, so if I went with the larger 2213 (with prefilter) for biological, would a single Fluval 2+ be OK? Or would a HOB like the AquaClear 300 be better for mechanical than a single in-tank filter? Is there anything on an in-tank filter that could injure a biting puffer?

With the quality of advice received on this forum, I have no excuse but to move into the 21st century (at least for my pets...)

Thanks, Rip Van Winkle

[RTR]

I don't like HOBs anyway, but part of that conclusion happened due to using them on the massive F-8 study I did - PITA for salt spray and evaporation. I switched over to OERFUG and life was better.

With prefiltered RFUG, the substrate stays as clean as when it went it. There is no mulm buildup anywhere, and even dead bacterial films get flushed out for the mechanicals to capture. The cleanest tanks I've ever had. I would not be concerned about outages and have had such up to three days without problems.

Yup, I still have several 2211s, and stocked up on some parts to keep them going. The 2213 is a bit overkill, but will do the job fine.

I am not impressed with the 2+. It captures less than half what the older (and IMHO far better, plain 2 did - both in the same tank. I use an old feeder goldfish for all such trials - plenty of waste grossly and plenty of bioload for bio). I would not cut out the second unit.