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Filtration system advice

Sun, 08/09/2009 - 17:31 — phishy

Hi Parrot Heads! I have been reading and reading for days online about filters and my head hurts! I have a 55g with 3 parrots, 4 tiger barbs, 6 corys and one bushynose. Currently I have an Aquaclear 110 and a Penguin 170 for filters, and they dont seem to be keeping the water as clear as when I first set it up and ran it without any fish in it. (I am suspecting the Penguin, the flow isnt that great even though I have taken it apart and done everything I could with it, got the filter used, it is not brand new)

I was considering a Hagen Fluval FX5 Canister Filter, and honestly, I am a newbie (have only been doing this since end of May) and it is overwhelming. They talk about all of the media and combinations and maintenance and I really need some advice and a regime. Is a canister filter above my skill level for a newbie? What works best for our little BP's?

Thanks everyone!!

Comments

Thu, 08/13/2009 - 05:42 — phishy

filters

Thanks for the advice! You are not going to believe this one.....since I got the filter used, I just used it the way it was. I went online and downloaded a manual for it, and I am missing the biowheel part! I didnt even know I was missing anything! So I found all the parts I needed and ordered them (couldnt find everything at pet stores since it is a 170 and they have replaced that model)

Sigh...I am learning. Slowly but surely! Still think I want the canister filter eventually, it goes outside of the tank, so I wouldnt be losing room.

Thank you everyone!!

Mon, 08/10/2009 - 16:25 — mazzy1221

Re: Filtration system advice

When was the las time you changed or cleaned the carbon/media? I know that this makes a big difference in my tanks.

Mon, 08/10/2009 - 08:07 — shaz

filters

I like canister filters but if they are internal you lose that room,sounds daft but you have cleaned and replaced media? why dont you take the filters to a friendly lfs first and ask them to check them out( under the pretense of buying carbon or something,or ring the manufactures up and ask their advice, chances are they'll ask you to send it back,dont tell them how old it is, mine came back working all I can advise is to over filter, or run 2 smaller ones