new tank and filter question

[[email protected]]

Hi everyone,

I've had a 30 gal sw fish only tank for 7 years. I'm now switching to
a 44 gal 'cause it fits in a corner. I've had Emperor 400's
(biowheels) on this tank the whole time and even though the flow rate
isn't nearly what they advertise, my a/n/n has always been perfect.
Question is, when I switch tanks, I'm thinking about a switching to a
Fluval 404. Has anyone had any experience with these, good or bad?
Is the ceramic media as good as the biowheels? Also, I'm looking for
advice on swapping tanks and filters and avoiding as much of the
initial cycle as possible. Thanks for any help.

Grant

[Billy]

> wrote in message
...
|
| Hi everyone,
|
| I've had a 30 gal sw fish only tank for 7 years. I'm now switching
to
| a 44 gal 'cause it fits in a corner. I've had Emperor 400's
| (biowheels) on this tank the whole time and even though the flow
rate
| isn't nearly what they advertise, my a/n/n has always been perfect.
| Question is, when I switch tanks, I'm thinking about a switching to
a
| Fluval 404. Has anyone had any experience with these, good or bad?
| Is the ceramic media as good as the biowheels? Also, I'm looking
for
| advice on swapping tanks and filters and avoiding as much of the
| initial cycle as possible. Thanks for any help.
|
| Grant

Hi Grant.
As far as the fluval, many people lay claim that canister filters
aren't as efficient as PF's at biological filtration. Myself, I use
several canister filters, and have never had an issue with it.
However, they're all planted FW tanks, may not be a good indicator.
<g>
As far as minimizing cycle time when you switch filters, hook the
fluval up now, and let it run in conjunction with the PF's for
several days. It will then have a good bacterial colony, and be ready
for use. Be prepared for a mini-cycle, though, as the fluval won't
quite be up to the entire load by itself yet.

hth
billy



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[[email protected]]

>Hi Grant.
>As far as the fluval, many people lay claim that canister filters
>aren't as efficient as PF's at biological filtration. Myself, I use
>several canister filters, and have never had an issue with it.
>However, they're all planted FW tanks, may not be a good indicator.
><g>
> As far as minimizing cycle time when you switch filters, hook the
>fluval up now, and let it run in conjunction with the PF's for
>several days. It will then have a good bacterial colony, and be ready
>for use. Be prepared for a mini-cycle, though, as the fluval won't
>quite be up to the entire load by itself yet.
>
>hth
>billy
>

>
Hi Billy,

Thanks for the info. I'm surprised that it will take only a few days
to colonize the Fluval's media. I expected that it would take a
month--almost like a standard cycle. Thanks again.

Grant

[PDS]

the 404 is more than you need for that.. it will work fine.. 303 would save
ya some money
I used the 404 in My 92 corners for years.. great filters.. ceramic media
ONLY...am now usung a sump system..
save all the water. you can just swap it over and add. <I prefer distilled
water>..things should pull thru just fine
Paul
> wrote in message
...
>
> Hi everyone,
>
> I've had a 30 gal sw fish only tank for 7 years. I'm now switching to
> a 44 gal 'cause it fits in a corner. I've had Emperor 400's
> (biowheels) on this tank the whole time and even though the flow rate
> isn't nearly what they advertise, my a/n/n has always been perfect.
> Question is, when I switch tanks, I'm thinking about a switching to a
> Fluval 404. Has anyone had any experience with these, good or bad?
> Is the ceramic media as good as the biowheels? Also, I'm looking for
> advice on swapping tanks and filters and avoiding as much of the
> initial cycle as possible. Thanks for any help.
>
> Grant

[Billy]

> wrote in message
...
|
| >Hi Grant.
| >As far as the fluval, many people lay claim that canister filters
| >aren't as efficient as PF's at biological filtration. Myself, I
use
| >several canister filters, and have never had an issue with it.
| >However, they're all planted FW tanks, may not be a good
indicator.
| ><g>
| > As far as minimizing cycle time when you switch filters, hook
the
| >fluval up now, and let it run in conjunction with the PF's for
| >several days. It will then have a good bacterial colony, and be
ready
| >for use. Be prepared for a mini-cycle, though, as the fluval won't
| >quite be up to the entire load by itself yet.
| >


The bacteria can double in population in under 24 hours. I wouldn't
see any need to let it 'mature' more than 5-7 days.


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[[email protected]]

On Wed, 1 Sep 2004 07:51:28 -0700, "PDS" > wrote:

>the 404 is more than you need for that.. it will work fine.. 303 would save
>ya some money
>I used the 404 in My 92 corners for years.. great filters.. ceramic media
>ONLY...am now usung a sump system..
>save all the water. you can just swap it over and add. <I prefer distilled
>water>..things should pull thru just fine
> Paul
> wrote in message

I appreciate the help guys, and I have another question. With
biowheels, and even the bioballs in a wet dry, air gets to the media
as well as the water. With the Fluval's design, it seems like the
ceramic media would be completely submerged and never get any air. Is
this true, and if so, does it matter? Also, in a 44 gal, would the
flow rate from the Fluval be sufficient or do I need powerheads? Now,
in my 30, I use only the Emperor 400 but the water flow is somewhat
lame. Thanks again for the help.

Grant

[Billy]

| > wrote in message
|
| I appreciate the help guys, and I have another question. With
| biowheels, and even the bioballs in a wet dry, air gets to the
media
| as well as the water. With the Fluval's design, it seems like the
| ceramic media would be completely submerged and never get any air.
Is


This is in part, the reason many claim that cannisters aren't as good
at bio-filteration as other types. Again, I've never had a problem,
and one of them is pretty heavily loaded. (45 gallon FW with about 50
inches of fish)


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[[email protected]]

On Wed, 1 Sep 2004 20:35:03 -0700, "Billy"
> wrote:


>
>
>This is in part, the reason many claim that cannisters aren't as good
>at bio-filteration as other types. Again, I've never had a problem,
>and one of them is pretty heavily loaded. (45 gallon FW with about 50
>inches of fish)
>
>
>---

>
Thanks again. I think I'll give it a try.

Grant