The Great Big Filter Thread

[Valerio]

Hi! About the pump I have chosen the Sicce syncra SDC 3.0, not cheap and maybe not enough for large tanks, but for my 55 Gal it definitely should be. As you said, the more powerful models (6.0 etc) are all geared toward PVC in /out, while the 3.0 comes with hose fittings.
It has a rotating chamber that is convenient if you don't have much space
Plus, they say I could install it with the inlet on top. Do you think it could give me any trouble? It could be more convenient.

Last question: When I do my 75% WC I usually get a lot of air going into the filter, because the water level gets lower than the filter inlet. I have to use the prime button to help the filter push out so much air, since the impeller can't do it alone and it runs "dry". Should I avoid it? How? I am afraid to damage this pump, which is not cheap to me. I am thinking I could disconnect the inlet fitting of the filter and open it in a bucket to remove the big air pocket in it.

 

[BranchScape]

Hi! About the pump I have chosen the Sicce syncra SDC 3.0, not cheap and maybe not enough for large tanks, but for my 55 Gal it definitely should be. As you said, the more powerful models (6.0 etc) are all geared toward PVC in /out, while the 3.0 comes with hose fittings.
It has a rotating chamber that is convenient if you don't have much spaceView attachment 17230
Plus, they say I could install it with the inlet on top. Do you think it could give me any trouble? It could be more convenient. View attachment 17231

Last question: When I do my 75% WC I usually get a lot of air going into the filter, because the water level gets lower than the filter inlet. I have to use the prime button to help the filter push out so much air, since the impeller can't do it alone and it runs "dry". Should I avoid it? How? I am afraid to damage this pump, which is not cheap to me. I am thinking I could disconnect the inlet fitting of the filter and open it in a bucket to remove the big air pocket in it.

Unplug on WC, then on refill before you plug the pump in lift the outlet and suck on the end to create a vacuum and purge air. This is a manual prime. We had to do that to prime a lot of the ADA canisters this last weekend.

 

[Count Krunk]

Yeah just let it slurp in the little bit of air (unplug it) after a wc and let it rip

 

[Aquajack]

I finally got around to testing the Jebao DC 6500 pump and netlea filters. Also part of the delay was waiting nearly 3 weeks for a basic order from Amazon of barbs to fit on the end!

Anyways, I set it up in a temp position in the shed for testing.

1. As @JayP mentioned in an earlier post, the input side is not good to go out of the box. I went to the local hardware store and picked up 4 plumbing fittings (as I didn't use the supplied first connection. Don't ask me why. I think I just had to use what the hardware store had in front of me at the time to make it all work). Then the barb at the end. The outlet, I just used standard 16/22 vinyl tubing with the boiling water trick to connect. Once the tubing reverts back to normal form, its a great connection though.
2. Having to pull water through 2 netlea filters certainly didn't help with priming. It took a bit but got there in the end. Once it started though it was fine. I've only tested with the default sponges but may take one of them out of the second netlea and replace with bio media. Not sure yet. Maybe I'll leave the sponges in who knows. Not 100% sure on the density rating either.
3. Even after running for hours, there must be still a bit of air which I'm not sure yet how to get out. I'm not going to go crazy trying to work it out as its final position will be under a tank, not next to it like this one for a start so that will help a bit. Still I'll try. Could be the new foam still trapping a bit of air, not sure.
4. The 16/22 tubing definitely restricts the ability of the pump to output what it is capable of. But for now it is what it is. A quick test on a ~20 litre bucket (which is a bit more than 5G) gave me 1:30 at the lowest and 1 min at the highest flow. The bit of air in the system might have influenced those results too. Still, results don't sound that great I know. You could see at the highest flow it was pushing what it could, much faster than my current cannister filter anyways. Problem is you could easily convert the output to 1" tubing but that isn't going to help much when the input still has to go through 2 netlea filters with 16/22 connections. I guess, technically you could use 1" tubing throughout and just have the adapters but it starts to get more messy then.
5. To complete the picture I would love to get hold of the official connectors from netlea which has custom plumbing to join multiple netleas together for a nicer more secure finish. However, finding where to purchase them from maybe a challenge.

Anyways, clearly more playing around and experimenting to do.

 

[Chimera]

Wow this thread has really put me into a spin. I'm actually lucky to be starting a build from scratch but there are so many options.

I'm returning to planted tanks after not having any tanks for a little over a decade. While a lot has changed and there are more brands etc on the market, the principles of filtration and the nitrogen cycle are still the same (obviously) perhaps with some increased knowledge and interpretation. I am setting up a 120P and looking to have as little as possible in the tank (heater included).

I have been considering the FX2 as a primary filter due to;

1. Previously owned the FX5 on a larger tank and it was flawless
2. Large capacity
3. Great flow rate - I am going to run this into a Yugang reactor with bypass, followed by UVC with bypass. Then into a Chihiros inline heater if possible. Plan is that I can adjust the flow rate through the reactor and only run the UVC if needed to polish water or help with green water/disease etc. I'd love to think I wont use it but with a foray into the higher energy style tanks this time, things can go off centre.
4. Self purging - couple of times a day plus after cleaning.
5. Availability and parts/replacements are not too bad. I can get everything from impellers to an entire pump unit that bolts on the side to replace if needed.

I do however, love the idea of setting up Netlea units. Customisable and interchangable. A pre-filter also seems an awesome idea to I am leaning toward installing a foam prefilter Netlea G2 on the in-flow prior to the FX2 which I will switch to media and coarse filtration for bio.
Whats thoughts?
This should reduce the need to clean out the FX2 as often, a good thing as they are heavy so carrying the unit to a wash area is an effort. The prefilter and heater being the strongest points on the OASE units, they seem to suffer from reduced flow and an addtional powerhead in the tank would defeat the purpose of inline heater.

Appreciate the advice!!

Chimera

 

[hamfist]

Wow this thread has really put me into a spin. I'm actually lucky to be starting a build from scratch but there are so many options.

I'm returning to planted tanks after not having any tanks for a little over a decade. While a lot has changed and there are more brands etc on the market, the principles of filtration and the nitrogen cycle are still the same (obviously) perhaps with some increased knowledge and interpretation. I am setting up a 120P and looking to have as little as possible in the tank (heater included).

I have been considering the FX2 as a primary filter due to;

1. Previously owned the FX5 on a larger tank and it was flawless
2. Large capacity
3. Great flow rate - I am going to run this into a Yugang reactor with bypass, followed by UVC with bypass. Then into a Chihiros inline heater if possible. Plan is that I can adjust the flow rate through the reactor and only run the UVC if needed to polish water or help with green water/disease etc. I'd love to think I wont use it but with a foray into the higher energy style tanks this time, things can go off centre.
4. Self purging - couple of times a day plus after cleaning.
5. Availability and parts/replacements are not too bad. I can get everything from impellers to an entire pump unit that bolts on the side to replace if needed.

I do however, love the idea of setting up Netlea units. Customisable and interchangable. A pre-filter also seems an awesome idea to I am leaning toward installing a foam prefilter Netlea G2 on the in-flow prior to the FX2 which I will switch to media and coarse filtration for bio.
Whats thoughts?
This should reduce the need to clean out the FX2 as often, a good thing as they are heavy so carrying the unit to a wash area is an effort. The prefilter and heater being the strongest points on the OASE units, they seem to suffer from reduced flow and an addtional powerhead in the tank would defeat the purpose of inline heater.

Appreciate the advice!!

Chimera

It sounds like a great project and a decent plan. Honestly I would hold off on the UV though. I'd be surprised if you found it necessary and it can always be added later if needed. A genuinely appropriately sized and effective UV for a 120 would not be particularly cheap or small either.
There are so many filtration strategies that do work very well. I think a FLuval FX plus a prefilter sounds like a decent choice. Others may disagree but I'd consider the FX4 as having a more appropriate flow rate for the size of tank though compared to the FX2.

 

[Koan]

an addtional powerhead in the tank would defeat the purpose of inline heater

I think you'll find that Nano-wavemakers have come a very long way since the powerheads you're thinking of. I have this egg-sized 1050GPH pump, running at 10% speed, in several of my small tanks, works a treat



I also refuse to have heaters cluttering up my tanks Tiny form factor in these pumps is absolutely a thing now, much less intrusive than an in-tank heater.

This particular brand, Aqamai / Hydor KPS has been discontinued but you can still get them on ebay, and there are plenty of other options, especially for bigger tanks. Look for a DC nano wavemaker pump that has an app, so that you can fine-control the flow

 

[Gino]

A genuinely appropriately sized and effective UV for a 120 would not be particularly cheap or small either.

Not necessarily. Many people believe UVC needs to do its job in a single pass of the aquarium water. That would indeed mean having to use large, high wattage systems. But what really matters with UVC is the amount of energy output per time period, rather than per one pass. Multiple passes of a lower wattage can achieve the same effect.

A good article I found on this: UV in depth

According to that author, 1 watt per 10 gallons can be enough for aquarium filtering purposes.

Now, I don't know exactly which tank is meant with "120P", but Google tells me that for both ADA and UNS that would mean an 80 gallon tank. In that case a mere 8W of UVC could theoretically be enough, assuming it's possible to get the full filter flow through the corresponding small UVC unit.

I do agree UVC is not normally necessary. It's more like a complementary thing, with biofiltration being much more important than UVC in most respects.

 

[Chimera]

Hey Gino,
A 120P means standard proportion in ADA speak. Term probably isn’t used any more! 1200mm x 450mm x 450mm or a standard 48inch tank I think in some places. 4 foot by one and a half?
I’ll read that link shortly about UV but experience tells me a 9W UV will clean up green water in a 4x2x2 foot tank beautifully. I think there is sometimes confusion over clarification and sterilisation but it does depend on what is being achieved.

 

[Koan]

a 9W UV will clean up green water in a 4x2x2 foot tank beautifully

Paging @Naturescapes_Rocco , @*Ci*

 

[hamfist]

I'll certainly bow to other's real world experience of using UV as I've never needed or used it myself.

 

[Chimera]

Good article @hamfist - The findings certainly line up with what I have experienced.
I have used UV on large ponds and certainly a multi-pass approach is sufficient to clear green water that can then be removed through the process of filtration etc, provided the system can handle the resulting bioload. Noting of course that this is for clarification and not sterilization.
On the other end of the scale I have used it in production of drinking water - one pass of a massive dose for safety.

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

I usually have clear water in my tanks, but when I run UV setups it's REALLY clear water. I only run them at night, and in the morning the timers turn them off a few minutes before dosing Micros, as UV destroys any chelates (protective molecules around your micros).

I don't run them much at the moment; more equipment usually = more headache, and UV light will break down the plastic housing over time and that introduces more microplastics into the tank. I think they're great to keep on standby for greenwater emergencies; they seem to complicate micros dosing a bit, and I would say in the freshwater hobby, very VERY few professional galleries (ADA, Green Aqua, Liquid Nature) ever run inline UV, which should tell you what you need to know! Most don't use them, most don't need them. When you do use one, you'll probably notice a bit clearer water; If you have a heavy green water or bacterial outbreak, they're a godsend and will clear your water up faster than any chemical solution.

 

[scubadoobydoo]

In a more recent experiment, I upgraded all the prefilters to the Large size, and filled one with nothing but biomedia:

I may be trying to be a bit ambitious for my first big setup, but was curious. I like the modularity of this and wanted some advice on if I wanted to apply this to a setup I am trying to get going. Originally was looking biomaster 2 thermo (found you on Reddit I think as the biomaster master and then found this site) but the conversations have made me second guess that.

I have a 60 gallon tank (48"L x 12"D x 24"H) I am trying to decide on a filter system for. Looking at your setup, was figuring I would do the two prefilter setup, stock sponge and second with biomedia. Think eventually will add CO2, but initially if I do may just use a more typical diffuser instead of the reactor. My questions are:

1. I have a large piece of driftwood I am in the process of water logging and getting out as much tannins as I can. If I wanted to add something like purigen to this, would I just have it at the top of the biomedia prefilter?

2. Thoughts on optimax 800 for the pump? I was reading into the discussion on DC pumps, and with what I currently have available for me workspace wise would prefer not to have to do too many modifications that arent kind of plug and play or swap out. If I have to or am talked out of it I will do what I have to, but small preference.

3. For the second prefilter, if it is just biomedia and purigen, I am assuming any canister with some form of bottom to top flow will work? Will probably just run with either the large/small Netlea, but if I stumble on something just making sure my understanding of this is correct.

I am somewhat new to this, and as I said I am probably being WAAAYYYY too ambitious but the challenge is exciting to me.

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

1. I have a large piece of driftwood I am in the process of water logging and getting out as much tannins as I can. If I wanted to add something like purigen to this, would I just have it at the top of the biomedia prefilter?

Yes, that's exactly the reason I also wanted to use a separate "prefilter" canister just for media. You'll want the incoming water to enter in the bottom and exit the top to prevent bubbles and splashing, but that's also perfect as your purigen will just sit on top of the bio media. SUPER easy to change it out compared to other filter setups; just close the quick releases, detach the hoses, open the top, exchange, and reinstall.

2. Thoughts on optimax 800 for the pump? I was reading into the discussion on DC pumps, and with what I currently have available for me workspace wise would prefer not to have to do too many modifications that arent kind of plug and play or swap out. If I have to or am talked out of it I will do what I have to, but small preference.

I think that would be a good option for a 60 gallon tank for sure! Might be too powerful depending on the setup, but you can always dial it down. Rather have too much power and turn it down than have too little.

3. For the second prefilter, if it is just biomedia and purigen, I am assuming any canister with some form of bottom to top flow will work? Will probably just run with either the large/small Netlea, but if I stumble on something just making sure my understanding of this is correct.

Yeah, spot on. You always want the flow in these to go from bottom to top to prevent air bubbles or other issues from forming. Since the hoses we use are flexible, you can just guide the hose down from the initial sponge-only prefilter exit, or you can use something like this to turn the hose downward sooner for a more compact setup. Just make sure to use appropriate hose clamps, too.

 

[JayP]

or you can use something like this to turn the hose downward

Well that's even better than the 90 degree PEX brackets I'm using!

 

[Aquajack]

I think I need one of those too!
What I would really like are these connectors Netlea connector set Its a quick youtube video demonstrating but do you think they are actually available anywhere. Maybe like most other things it seems, rig our own lol.

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

I think I need one of those too!
What I would really like are these connectors Netlea connector set Its a quick youtube video demonstrating but do you think they are actually available anywhere. Maybe like most other things it seems, rig our own lol.

IM SORRY WHAT

That is EXACTLY, and I mean EXACTLY, what I've needed for 1-2 years. Want one asap! Gotta find now lol

 

[JayP]

I think I need one of those too!
What I would really like are these connectors Netlea connector set Its a quick youtube video demonstrating but do you think they are actually available anywhere. Maybe like most other things it seems, rig our own lol.

I know it would be difficult if not impossible for you to get from Aqua Rocks Colorado, but they do have them available separately. I also know some of the Netlea parts are available on AliExpress, including the entire filters and separate connectors to each filter, but I haven't looked specifically for the parts to connect between 2 filters.

 

[MKEnovice]

Great thread! I have a Innovative Marine MightyJet pump that I got used for cheap from a reefer. Thinking of adding a Netlea PreFilter to my tank. I have extra hose and lily pipes. Should I get the Half Cotton one or the Full Cotton one? I was planning on ordering from ARC. Currently I am using an Oase Biostyle 50 on my Waterbox 3620 with a cheap UV light and Purigen. Agree with @Naturescapes_Rocco, adding UV helped clear my bacterial bloom almost overnight.