Stocking 100 gallon

[Dimidiata]

My opinion of filters rated best to worst:
Sump
* used on large tanks that are over stocked to provide extra surface space aswell as in Salt tanks
Canister
*Great but $$$ i like to mix them with HOB so that you still get some current, they do more work then other filters though and are less noticeable
Dutch
* im not very informed on these
Hang of the back (although some of these are better than others)
*Great for tanks less then 100gals, then you want to add a can or UG in aswell
Sponge
*Should be used with the appropriate fish, really dont belong in the rank because they should be used with fish that are super small(fish fry and nano fish and such) and with fish that do better in low flow(long fins like bettas), Thats said, those are really their only purpose in use Imo. They belong on the bottom
Under gravel
*should be above sponge, they concentrate all the fish waste under the gravel to grow mass beniffical bacteria, however you do better with canister and HOB wich have filter media that can allow you to grow more bacteria thats also protected in the filter

Just thought id fill in the comparisons, i agree for the most part on the list.

 

[animeavatar]

@ Katie_ do you feed live food? My dad wants bigger fish but I like lots of schools. I joined a forum mostly on plecos but it isn't very active.

 

[katie_]

My opinion of filters rated best to worst:
Sump
* used on large tanks that are over stocked to provide extra surface space aswell as in Salt tanks
Canister
*Great but $$$ i like to mix them with HOB so that you still get some current, they do more work then other filters though and are less noticeable
Dutch
* im not very informed on these
Hang of the back (although some of these are better than others)
*Great for tanks less then 100gals, then you want to add a can or UG in aswell
Sponge
*Should be used with the appropriate fish, really dont belong in the rank because they should be used with fish that are super small(fish fry and nano fish and such) and with fish that do better in low flow(long fins like bettas), Thats said, those are really their only purpose in use Imo. They belong on the bottom
Under gravel
*should be above sponge, they concentrate all the fish waste under the gravel to grow mass beniffical bacteria, however you do better with canister and HOB wich have filter media that can allow you to grow more bacteria thats also protected in the filter

Just thought id fill in the comparisons, i agree for the most part on the list.

A dutch system is like a giant over-flow. Water flows into the giant over flow box where filter media is present, and then pumped back into the aquarium. They to, are a little out dated.

I'm still a little iffy on under gravel filters. For beginners, they can run into a lot of problems with dead space. I personally, have never used one in a home tank, but we use them everyday in our tanks at the store for economical reasons.

 

[Dimidiata]

Oh yes for beginners its understandable, like you said, dead space. Also the gravel vacs can be a bit taxing for new tankers. (honestly, i do 50% every week on my tanks)

 

[animeavatar]

You work in a store with animals? Where! I don't plan on using an UG filter. I don't find them useful either. Maybe to clean the gravel a bit but yea.

 

[katie_]

@ Katie_ do you feed live food? My dad wants bigger fish but I like lots of schools. I joined a forum mostly on plecos but it isn't very active.

My salt water reef will get live food to feed the corals. Theyre microscopic.
The fish get a large variety of frozen food.

My discus and tetras eat a high quality pellet, and a variety of frozen food.

I would only feed live to fish that refuse to eat anything else. Live feeder fish tend to harbour a lot of disease, and have very little nutritial value. Some people think its fun to watch their fish hunt, but in the end - its a risk.
You could set up a seperate tank and breed your own healthy stock, but not everyone has time for that. Crickets are also a good alternitive.

I have a 180 gallon with some salt water fish. Most will eat frozen food, but my goat fish will only eat live. I feed him Ghost shrimp.

 

[katie_]

You work in a store with animals? Where! I don't plan on using an UG filter. I don't find them useful either. Maybe to clean the gravel a bit but yea.

A gravel vacuum would be all you need to do your water changes. 20-30% once a week, unless you have problems. Some fish enjoy larger chances but you want to be careful how much you take out.

My boyfriend owns his own aquarium store, and servicing business. We clean close to 60 tanks all around the city in hospitals, peoples homes, business' - etc. Its all I do.

 

[animeavatar]

I feed flakes but I wanna feed frozen bloodworms too. @ Dimidiata the worms eat the freeze dried one like crazy! My dad doesn't approve of putting that stuff in the freezer but luckily this week is gonna be freezing temp.

 

[Dimidiata]

^^ ditto @kate. I feed BBS and some micro worms but feeder fish are a no for me. I feed high quality flake, pellet and frozen aswell as prepared veggies for some of my herbivores/omnivores. Your plecos will like spinach and zuchini and such, in my experience lettuce doesnt get touched.

Freeze dried is just no good IMO, ive told you before over PM and such. Honestly, its a small little package that looks like a box with nothing in it, hardley noticable. Frozen is great for fish. BUT if it thatws out it rots fast, thats that.

 

[animeavatar]

Wait nevermind it is over. I don't think he would care if I put it in the freezer and then told him I bought some.

 

[animeavatar]

I wouldn't feed fish because my fish are too small except for feeder guppies...
I am going to try zuchini. I tried lettuce a few years ago( mainly for the snails) but it was left untouched.
Would fluval canisters be good?http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753121&lmdn=Fish+Filtration+&+Circulation

 

[Dimidiata]

I always hear good of Ehiem Canisters and fluvals, be sure you have the right size or the right amount. I always like having 2 canisters in a tank, just to be sure every areas getting circulated, plus in big tanks it helps. We use a old canister typen on 2 of the fry tanks at school(they are a sponge canister filter, the brand is not on them though so....)

 

[animeavatar]

Okay now I'm going to the petstore... wish me luck on finding something!

 

[katie_]

I always hear good of Ehiem Canisters and fluvals, be sure you have the right size or the right amount. I always like having 2 canisters in a tank, just to be sure every areas getting circulated, plus in big tanks it helps. We use a old canister typen on 2 of the fry tanks at school(they are a sponge canister filter, the brand is not on them though so....)

Have you seen the Koralia power heads? Theyre awesome.

 

[Dimidiata]

I have not, but i did a quick search, they look nice. If anyone wants experince with a UG, My brother is running a homemade pvc UG in his 55gal. It has 2 powerheads. Well, it got clogged. Ceaning a clogged Under gravel filter is no fun. im not saying it will happen, just can happen.

 

[katie_]

I only run one canister on my tanks, but I use those koralias. I love them.

 

[animeavatar]

I bought frozen bloodworms and a zuchini.

 

[katie_]

I bought frozen bloodworms and a zuchini.

Thats good. Most plecos need some meaty foods in their diet as well, so try and make sure some bloodworm falls to the bottom for him to pick up.

 

[animeavatar]

I was told food that falls to the bottom means overfeeding. I feed algae wafers with meat.

 

[katie_]

I was told food that falls to the bottom means overfeeding. I feed algae wafers with meat.

Yes, it would be overfeeding if its an accident. You want to make sure enough falls for the pleco - but only enough for the pleco. Too much uneaten food will rot and cause ammonia