I just bought my tank like 20 minutes ago. It's a 40 long 48x13 and I think 20" high I have a gravel filter and I asked the lady at the store if a biowheel was necesary. She said no but it would help the water quality so I bought one that is meant for a smaller tank (20 gallons) It filters 100 gallons an hour so I figured it would help keep my water a lot cleaner looking. Will it do this or did I get ripped off 15$
Filtration in my 40 long
Started by
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, Apr 22 2007 01:19 PM
19 replies to this topic
#2
Guest_killier_*
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Posted 22 April 2007 - 03:40 PM
Depends on what you are keeping in the tank if you are keeping sunnies or other larger fish it will help a little if you are keeping darters and other stream fish it will help just by the current. btw 100gph (gallons per hour) is not a whole lot but if you want clean water get a sponge filter it helps a whole lot.
#3
Guest_Zephead4747_*
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Posted 22 April 2007 - 06:23 PM
I didn't see anything called a sponge filter. Just biowheels and powerheads
#4
Guest_teleost_*
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Posted 22 April 2007 - 06:36 PM
Tell us more....When you say gravel filter what do you mean. If under gravel filter (UGF), what do you use to power it? how many drop tubes etc.
This is a typical sponge filter. They seem make for an excellent biological filter.
This is a typical sponge filter. They seem make for an excellent biological filter.
#5
Guest_Zephead4747_*
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Posted 22 April 2007 - 07:07 PM
It's a ugf. It's powered I think by my air hose? It has four tubes over the stretch of the 48 inch long tank. It's sepereated into two 24 inch pieces.
#6
Guest_teleost_*
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Posted 22 April 2007 - 07:20 PM
In my opinion, you have enough filtration both mechanical and biological for a healthy tank as long as you perform regular maintenance and keep stocking levels reasonable. A sponge filter might give you piece of mind for back up bio filtration but doesn't seem necessary to me.
$ 15.00 for a filter that moves 100 GPH is a fine price as long as the replacement elements are a good deal.
$ 15.00 for a filter that moves 100 GPH is a fine price as long as the replacement elements are a good deal.
#7
Guest_Zephead4747_*
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Posted 22 April 2007 - 07:26 PM
Thanks teleost If I grab a sponge finter that is meant for a smaller tank would it help enough? If it'd help i cna spend anotehr 20$ on another filter in a few days. The biowheel is meant for a 20 but since it's just extra help I figured it would make a differnece. Is this the case for the sponge filter also? What do they cost? if they are cheap enough I'll get one meant for a 40 gallon and keep the watert pristine with water changes weekly 
#8
Guest_killier_*
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Posted 22 April 2007 - 07:37 PM
not to bad in cost but I like it because it removes dead leaves old fishfood.... for a small one 5-10 bucks top if you look around but for a 40g I wouldnt be sure. but I do know it helps ALOT if you have smaller fish in the tank I like to have a few ghost shrimp in with sponge filters theyeat the stuff that gets on it and will play king of the hill for it all day. also they make the best filter for baby fish and I know of alot of people that just run big sponge filters for filteration on tanks from 10g to 180g's
#9
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Posted 22 April 2007 - 07:53 PM
not to bad in cost but I like it because it removes dead leaves old fishfood.... for a small one 5-10 bucks top if you look around but for a 40g I wouldnt be sure. but I do know it helps ALOT if you have smaller fish in the tank I like to have a few ghost shrimp in with sponge filters theyeat the stuff that gets on it and will play king of the hill for it all day. also they make the best filter for baby fish and I know of alot of people that just run big sponge filters for filteration on tanks from 10g to 180g's
I plan on keeping a large population of feeder ghost shrimp or red cherry shrimp (50+ at a stocking) if I can find them in my tank and some feeder minnows. So this seems like it will be a good thing eh?
#10
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Posted 22 April 2007 - 07:54 PM
Thatnks teleost If I grab a sponge finter that is meant for a smaller tank would it help enough? If it'd help i cna spend anotehr 20$ on another filter in a few days. The biowheel is meant for a 20 but since it's just extra help I figured it would make a differnece. Is this the case for the sponge filter also? What do they cost? if they are cheap enough I'll get one meant for a 40 gallon and keep the watert pristine with water changes weekly
I really think you have enough filtration as is provided you have reasonable stocking levels. A sponge might just give you a safety back up. A sponge filter for a tank your size would cost much less than $ 10.00 if you shop. I'd avoid additional power filtration unless you wind up having clarity issues. Power filters can add heat to the tank and their primary function is water clarity.
#11
Guest_Zephead4747_*
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Posted 22 April 2007 - 07:56 PM
I think I'll give it a few weeks and see if I want another filter. As previously stated it will give my shrimp a place to feed.
#12
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Posted 22 April 2007 - 08:04 PM
As far as the tank being stocked with. It will have 3 green sunfish two rock bass and maybe a yellow perch if I think my tank can support another fish. Advice on whether or not I should put a perch in is very much welcome.
#13
Guest_nativecajun_*
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Posted 23 April 2007 - 07:07 AM
I have never seen sponge filters in stores. At least the stores where I live. This is where I get mine
http://www.bigalsonl...ewType=Category
http://www.bigalsonl...ewType=Category
#16
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Posted 23 April 2007 - 11:35 AM
This is the same ones on Bigals site page I put up there. They are great.
Oh, I guess you're right. I thought they must be different since I pay %35 less.
#17
Guest_Zephead4747_*
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Posted 23 April 2007 - 05:51 PM
I'm gonna pick 1-2 of those up over the next few days. I'll have a lot of filtration in this tank
#18
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Posted 24 April 2007 - 09:32 AM
You will need lots of filtration and significant water changes. Sunfish are big, creating lots of bioload.I'm gonna pick 1-2 of those up over the next few days. I'll have a lot of filtration in this tank
#19
Guest_nativecajun_*
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Posted 24 April 2007 - 11:50 AM
Oh, I guess you're right. I thought they must be different since I pay %35 less.
Tell me where!! Big als has a site for Canadians (thus the price would be higher) and I may have been on that one but I do not think I was. 35% less sounds good to me. I need some right now. I have a ten and a twenty long that I need to get going. So again Tell me where
#20
Guest_drewish_*
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Posted 24 April 2007 - 12:45 PM
Tell me where!! Big als has a site for Canadians (thus the price would be higher) and I may have been on that one but I do not think I was. 35% less sounds good to me. I need some right now. I have a ten and a twenty long that I need to get going. So again Tell me where
Scroll up and you'll find his link : http://www.jehmco.co...ge_filters.html
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