Maintenance and upkeep on a 400gph hang on back bio wheel filter?

Question

Hi. I intend to buy a 400 gph filter with a bio wheel and such. First, I'd like to know a good brand to buy from. I'm new to these kids of filters. Also, what would be required to keep this filter running? How often would things need changed or switched or whatever? It would be in a 30 gal goldfish tank with 2 or 3 goldies if that helps any.

Answer 1

Hi, well 400 gallons per hour filter is way too large for this aquarium of 30 gallons. If my canister filter filters at a rate of 350 gallons per hour, and it's good for tanks of up to 100 gallons, 400 gallons would be for tanks around 112 gallons. If you want a decent size filter to give you adequate filtration, you can try getting a bio wheel for up to 55 gallon tanks. Considering what you are planning on doing, a saltwater or freshwater.

Filters are good to have, because houses the necessary bacteria to help reduce ammonia and nitrates in the tank. Maintenance on the filter should be conducted every 2-6 months to ensure that the propeller is working properly and functioning at the speed it supposed to be at. When you do this maintenance, never clean the filter media for the reason of necessary bacteria.

However, cleaning the filter media should be once every month, just rinsing it out, don't washing it thoroughly. You should change the media every 2-3 months, people would recommend every month, however, the carbon will last if you do maintenance on it properly.

You should conduct a water change of 10-15% weekly, you should conduct a water change of 25% once a month.

But first, you should cycle your tank completely before adding any fish, the reason is to have an established tank for your fishes to thrive on. The necessary bacteria in the tank can eliminate problems from occuring. You should set your tank up, test the water parameters, add water conditioners, let your filter and water run for 2-4 weeks, more if necessary. You should test the water every week. Conduct water changes to help lower the ammonia, nitrite and nitrates and read the PH balance.

Anyways, I hope this helps, thanks for asking.....................

EDIT: Marineland, Hagen Aqua clear filters are good and I would pick between these two brands.

EDIT: Not all the websites are accurate, just like the pet shops, not all the clerks are accurate with information. You need to do extensive research because by going by what a website says is not necessarily accurate. But it also depends on a person's taste, it also depends on how hardy the fish is too, even though the fish can be messy, if it is not hardy, current can actually cause a lot of stress and the fish can die. Just remember that when you go to a store and find out that a filter is too powerful for your tank. I would rather see you go with a 350 gph than a 400 gph for a 30 gallon tank. But it's up to you. Anyways, good luck...................

Answer 2

For the amount of fish you plan to put in tank.    You need a 50gal filter.   What you look for is amount of fish you want something that is 30-100 gal more than tank.  

For small tanks you dont need too much flow since they are small so you can get a filter closer to the size of tank.     The bigger tanks need more flow since you only have one suction and out put so particles can settle.    

A 400gph filter would be good for 100-300 tank perfect for 250-300 gal tanks with fair amount of fish.      Since you are going fresh water they can handle a lower level of filtration.

Answer 3

I have a Hagan Aqua Clear 50 filter in my 30 gal. It pumps 200gph. An Aqua clear 70 would give you 300gph. The thing I like about it is that you don't have to buy filters. You just squeeze out the sponge and rinse off bio beads in used aquarium water when doing water changes. As for charcoal you can buy it bulk and put it in a filter bag. You can also replace charcoal woth ammo chips or nitra-zorb. Their a little more expensive initially but not buying filters all the time makes up for it quick

Edit: You could also go with 2 smaller filters. One at each end of tank which will give you 2 pickup areas and not as strong current. Like 2 Aqua Clear 30's. That would still give you a 300gph.

Answer 4

i have this and it works great and the price is also great

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.js...

you just need to plug it in and change the filter media every month or so (or you could change 1 of the filters every 2 weeks)

heres a 4 pack of replacemnt filters for it

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.js...