oarie
12/04/2006, 01:21 PM
First, let me say that I was referred here by DrsFosterSmith.com.
I have a 1000 gallon freshwater aquarium which I need to upgrade my mechanical filtration on. I currently have four foam filters, a 2000 gallon wet/dry filtration system, a 36" fluidized bed filter and four Ocean Clear 340 in-line filters and a 1000 gallon UV sterilizer. In all I believe the ratings on my filtration is for over 4000 gallons. Where it seems to be lacking though is on the mechanical side.
What I've been wondering about is what my best approach would be toward clearing up the water in my tank. I test my water quality frequently to check for ammonia and nitrites which are always at 0. My nitrites are doing very well also, I believe they were around 100 as of the last time I checked and they are pretty stable around that point. My current mechanical filtration can no longer keep up with the load in my tank as my fish are growing quite large. I have several black sharks and some of them are nearing two feet in length. The water is beginning to take on a brownish color (waste) even with weekly gravel vacs and carbon changes.
I've just begun looking into this but the water clarity conditions are worsening by the day as my mechanical filtration isn't able to keep up. What I've considered so far is a pond filter or perhaps even a swimming pool filter. Whatever I end up with my goals for this device will be the following:
[list=a]
Clean & Quiet: Or quiet as possible anyways. This will be used indoors so I don't want something that is loud or messy which may be intended solely for outdoor use.
Easy to Clean: I want something I can clean fairly easily with the turn of a few valves. I have no problem with having to clean it frequently (every couple of days) but weekly or bi-weekly would be preferred. Must be a failrly easy process though.
Size: I have a good sized area to put it in but obviously smaller is better.
Carbon Chamber: Another location to add some more carbon would be nice but not necessary.
[/list=a]
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
I have a 1000 gallon freshwater aquarium which I need to upgrade my mechanical filtration on. I currently have four foam filters, a 2000 gallon wet/dry filtration system, a 36" fluidized bed filter and four Ocean Clear 340 in-line filters and a 1000 gallon UV sterilizer. In all I believe the ratings on my filtration is for over 4000 gallons. Where it seems to be lacking though is on the mechanical side.
What I've been wondering about is what my best approach would be toward clearing up the water in my tank. I test my water quality frequently to check for ammonia and nitrites which are always at 0. My nitrites are doing very well also, I believe they were around 100 as of the last time I checked and they are pretty stable around that point. My current mechanical filtration can no longer keep up with the load in my tank as my fish are growing quite large. I have several black sharks and some of them are nearing two feet in length. The water is beginning to take on a brownish color (waste) even with weekly gravel vacs and carbon changes.
I've just begun looking into this but the water clarity conditions are worsening by the day as my mechanical filtration isn't able to keep up. What I've considered so far is a pond filter or perhaps even a swimming pool filter. Whatever I end up with my goals for this device will be the following:
[list=a]
Clean & Quiet: Or quiet as possible anyways. This will be used indoors so I don't want something that is loud or messy which may be intended solely for outdoor use.
Easy to Clean: I want something I can clean fairly easily with the turn of a few valves. I have no problem with having to clean it frequently (every couple of days) but weekly or bi-weekly would be preferred. Must be a failrly easy process though.
Size: I have a good sized area to put it in but obviously smaller is better.
Carbon Chamber: Another location to add some more carbon would be nice but not necessary.
[/list=a]
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.