Need HOB filter advice

jimluann

I have a 55 gallon freshwater community tank that has been running for about 2 months. I have 8 platys, 6 zebra danios, 6 rasboras and an algae eater.

The tank has a Marineland Magnum 250H HOB filter and a Powerhead 402 connected to a UG filter. (I got the setup from a lfs that used it for 5-7 years) About a week ago, the HOB filter started to make a clicking noise. I took it apart to see if something got hung up in the impeller area. It did not. I put it back in service and it still moves water, but makes the same noise.

I have started to read about new filters to replace the 250H. I am leaning towards the Emperor 280, however, the recommended tank size is 30-50 gallons. The Emperor 400 is not that much more in price, but it moves a lot more water.

I have two basic questions, plus follow ups:

If I get the 280, will it be enough?

If not should I get the 400 and perhaps unplug the UG filter?

Or, I am very open to other suggestions or recommendations.

Also, feel free to offer other fish that I might add.

Thanks in advance
Jim

RedBaron

Welcome

From what I have been able to gleen from this board and others, go with the next size up in filters. It does not hurt and it might make the tank a little better place for the fish.

As far as the underground, with that big of a tank, I would say, loose it at the next big cleaning. Again, from what I have been able to gleen on the web, underground filters are going the way of the 8 track. Sorry guys, but it really is a piece at the Smithsonian

Keep us updated and post some tank parameters and a picture or two.

Loman

Jim,
Welcome to the forum .

I personally would not go with a pump that was rated for a smaller tank. I would look at the next one up. Personally I like canister filters for tanks of this size but that is strictly my preference (I have no data to suggest it is a better system).

With regard to the UG filter I would plan on disconnecting it. Again, I must admit I have never been a fan of UG filters (even when they were very popular). I think you will find the general consensus around UG filters is that it moves the water through the substrate too fast to be all Thai t beneficial. Bear in mind this is all IMO and others may (will) think differently.

Jay

I'm on board with Loman and Red.

Jay

jd@ga

Hey Jim, I had the same problem with the same filter and I went ahead and changed the impeller and it took care of the problem. There was no visible damage to the impeller but hey it took care of the problem.

jimluann

Thanks for all of the responses.

If I get the new filter, what is the best way to migrate from the old pumps and filters to the new?

Do I just leave the gravel filter on the bottom of the tank and disconnect / remove the tube and power head?

gm333

Taking out the UGF is a pain, plus if the tank is stocked its a dirty nasty job, I personally still have one on my 55 and cant seem to see the benefit of taking it out with the tank stocked. I will take it out when the time comes to reconstruct the tank, but I have said that for over 5 yrs now. Dont leave it in the tank without a powerhead or airstones in place will cause a nitrate factory from the waste building up under the UGF.

Tommy Gun

If this was my tank and I had these issues and needed a new filter, I would definetly go a size too large for the tank (or bigger if I could afford to or if the price difference was not that much).

I had bought a tank off of a guy who had a basically ineffective filter on it and so I bought a new one. To make sure that I didnt get a mini-cycle from removing the old filter media, I simply ran both HOB filters at the same time on the tank for about a month. In retrospect, that may have been over kill now that I know how the bacteria work and where they tend to reside (thanks Jay!), but this at least gave the new filter a chance to gain some bacteria growth and get 'broken in'.

So, I would think that this would be a good solution for you unless you cannot fit both filters on the tank at one time or if you cannot do so without keeping the tops completely off the tank and are worried about a fish jumping out of the tank. From your stocking list, I would think that a fish jumping out would be unlikely, but I guess it is better to be safe than sorry.

jimluann

Thanks for all your responses, great information.

gm333, you said "Dont leave it in the tank without a powerhead or airstones in place will cause a nitrate factory from the waste building up under the UGF."

I am not sure I know what you mean. Are you saying that I should leave the powerhead on and the riser tube in place? Do I still operate it? Please excuse my ignorance, but what difference does it make? Can you explain it a little more?

Based on your assistance, and what I have read both in this forum and elsewhere, I ordered the Emperor 400 from Big Als. It looks like I will be operating it in parallel with the Magnum 250H for the next month or so.

Our fish tank you (sorry, I like puns)

gm333

The emperor wll work wonders, especially if you add ceramic media into the xtra media sleeves.
If you dont have water flowing through the UGF all the waste that settles under the UGF will build up over time. Cleaning the gravel will help, but not take any wastes out from under the filter, the build up of waste will cause ammonia, which in turn will cause problems with nitrates, frequent waterchanges will take the levels down, but you dont want to have to depend on frequent waterchanges to keep levels down. By using a powerhead and frequent backflushing you keep the waste from building up under the UGF. This is why most people do not like UGF's. With better technology in filtration these days the UGF is fairly obsolete. Like I said earlier I only have one in my tank because I have yet to find a good time to take it out. There are people out there that still use them as there only means of filtration.