Filtration help - moving from canaster filter to K1 bio bed.

[-gb-]

I started using a K1 media set up pictured here about 30 days ago. Thanks Josie for the great idea & DIY video!!



It contains just over one liter of K1 media in a two liter jug. This services my 65 gallon tank.

What I'd like to do is remove my canister filter. My question... is this a good idea or do I still need my old canister filter in the mix. I'd replace it with a 250 gph water pump. This pump would drive the water through my UV filter as well as my external heater. I'll probably also at some point put the K1 set up under the tank using a diffuser.

What do you think? Good idea to remove the canister filter or do I still need it? All it seems to do is collect gunk.

I do 50% water changes 2x a week + one 90% water change on the weekends. I do travel a lot for work so this regiment can sometimes be fragmented. Therefore, I like lots of filtration. I also use 50% RO mixed with my tap water giving me a 85 TDS reading going into the tank.

Thoughts?? Suggestions?? Thanks!

[Chicago Discus]

I think removing the canister filter is a great idea I found that they just collect to much crap and cleaning them became a pain. But first I would make sure that your bio-bottle is fully cycled before removing the canister bio-bottles usually take about six to eight weeks to really get going. The reason it takes so long to seed is they are self cleaning which is the best part and the worst part (when starting a new bottle). When it gets going you will really love the simplicity of the filter.....Josie

[lipadj46]

I just setup a moving bed filter to replace 2 #5 sponge filters. It is fed by a power head that has a sponge pre filter on it, my UV power head also has a sponge pre filter on it so you may want to put one on your UV power head. If I did not have those 2 prefilters I would have added an aquaclear hob for easy cleaning

sent from an undisclosed location using morse code

[Nu2Discus]

I have seen these DIY moving beds online as well. But aren't these only for biological filtration? Not looking for mechanical or chemical?

[-gb-]

Thanks for the advice Josie, I'll wait a few more weeks before I pull out my canaster filter. Thanks again!

[-gb-]

I have a pre-filter on my intake pipe leading out of the tank. I'll be sure to keep using it - thanks!

[-gb-]

I just setup a moving bed filter to replace 2 #5 sponge filters. It is fed by a power head that has a sponge pre filter on it, my UV power head also has a sponge pre filter on it so you may want to put one on your UV power head. If I did not have those 2 prefilters I would have added an aquaclear hob for easy cleaning

sent from an undisclosed location using morse code

I have a pre-filter on my intake pipe leading out of the tank. I'll be sure to keep using it - thanks!

[-gb-]

I have seen these DIY moving beds online as well. But aren't these only for biological filtration? Not looking for mechanical or chemical?

I have a pre-filter on my intake pipe so I have a little mechanical filtration. I'm really not concerned with mechanical or chemical filtration. With a good water change schedule and very good bio media, mechanical or chemical filtration are not really needed. Just my opinion though...

[-gb-]

So my next question.... I'll need about a 775 gph pump to move the water through my UV light and heater. This should cycle the water in the tank 4X an hour. Is this to much water flow for my discus?

I'm looking at purchasing a Maxi-Jet Utility Pump [775 gph]
http://www.aquariumsupplies.ca/maxi-...mp-p-5810.html

[lipadj46]

So my next question.... I'll need about a 775 gph pump to move the water through my UV light and heater. This should cycle the water in the tank 4X an hour. Is this to much water flow for my discus?

I'm looking at purchasing a Maxi-Jet Utility Pump [775 gph]
http://www.aquariumsupplies.ca/maxi-...mp-p-5810.html

How big is the tank? That is quite a bit of flow through a UV, how many watts is the UV? Make sure you shop at kensfish that maxi-jet pump is much cheaper. If you want a budget version I have this pump and it has worked great submersed:

http://www.kensfish.com/aquarium-sup...ter-pumps.html

[-gb-]

Sorry forgot to mention... it's a 65 gallon tank.

My UV light is 8W but don't give to much concern to that. It's an Aqua Classic and is rated differently than most of the UV lights you'd buy at your LFS. They suggest running the water through the UV light 4X an hour.

I'm concerned that this is just to much flow for the fish.

[lipadj46]

Sorry forgot to mention... it's a 65 gallon tank.

My UV light is 8W but don't give to much concern to that. It's an Aqua Classic and is rated differently than most of the UV lights you'd buy at your LFS. They suggest running the water through the UV light 4X an hour.

I'm concerned that this is just to much flow for the fish.

I just bought a good one too, I have about 250 gph going through my 15 watt TMC Vecton in my 75 gallon and that is a decent amount of flow, just right I would say.

[-gb-]

Don, is that a 250 gph pump or are you pumping 250 gph through your setup after you account for resistance? Just want to make sure we're talking the same measurement.

I'm thinking a 775 gph pump will give me about 260 gph flow through the UV.

[lipadj46]

Don, is that a 250 gph pump or are you pumping 250 gph through your setup after you account for resistance? Just want to make sure we're talking the same measurement.

I'm thinking a 775 gph pump will give me about 260 gph flow through the UV.

Its 250 coming out of the output, I used a gallon bucket and timer to estimate.

[-gb-]

Its 250 coming out of the output, I used a gallon bucket and timer to estimate.

ok - perfect - thanks!