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  1. AverageWhiteBloke

    Replacement HOB filter for 20l tank advice

    Just to say although this may be possible with the Hidom it would be a pain I reckon. Unlike some of the cheap chinese HOB models I was looking at which appeared to have the main body and motor as two separate components the Hidom is moulded as one piece which means that to clean the impeller...
  2. AverageWhiteBloke

    Replacement HOB filter for 20l tank advice

    Hi mate, I've been running a Hidom 200 HOB on my 50 ltr low tech scape without any issues so would recommend. It's probably a little small for my tank but I'm just looking for some water movement, it would be perfect in a 20L. They cost about a tenner and run pretty quiet, they do come with a...
  3. AverageWhiteBloke

    Tetratec E600 impeller

    Has anyone got one of these filters? I'd be interested to see what the impeller looks like. I bought a new impeller for mine, the old one I've had to super glue a couple of times but still works, the one I bought I just kept as a spare until the next time I was cleaning the filter. Decided to...
  4. AverageWhiteBloke

    Oase BioMaster Thermo External Filter

    If he used other materials to improve things as long as all the parts that came with the filter are still there should be OK as long as the issue arises when using all the original parts. You just can't say it isn't working properly with some bit you added. Sent from my STH100-2 using Tapatalk
  5. AverageWhiteBloke

    Oase BioMaster Thermo External Filter

    Drilling the pipe will undoubtedly be better I would have thought. I think the logic behind the whole setup appears to be that putting a fine sponge prefilter in first means that you would have reduced the amount of time you had to crack open the main body of the filter, obviously if the fine...
  6. AverageWhiteBloke

    Low cost filter media

    Anything porous that doesn't restrict flow too much. Bio capacity takes a back seat to filter throughput on a planted tank as the plants do most of the biological heavy lifting. Just buy some sponges or bathroom scrunches. Drop the scrunches straight in and cot the sponges up into smaller...
  7. AverageWhiteBloke

    CO2 Valves

    Do you already have a regulator set? If not you want the complete setup, our sponsors like co2 art, co2 supermarket and aquaessentials do full setups. TBH I'm quite shocked at the prices these days :eek: Hinterfield are sub £100 and I was looking at full sets the other day on Ebay for around...
  8. AverageWhiteBloke

    CO2 Valves

    For sure, this hobby can be as complicated as you want it to be. I get more satisfaction from the "simpler" tanks I do purely because I spend more time looking at them than working on them.
  9. AverageWhiteBloke

    CO2 Valves

    It's all about your goals really Matt. You see this hobby is frequented by very different people for different reasons. Me personally I'm more of a long term tank keeper where the fish are the priority albeit I like the background they live in to be as alluring as the fish themselves. On the...
  10. AverageWhiteBloke

    CO2 Valves

    How you planning on going about this mate would be the question. Using a drop checker can you give you an idea of the amount of co2 in the water but the fish will tell you first if there's too much. I think you need to have a read up and decide which equipment you are going to be using and the...
  11. AverageWhiteBloke

    CO2 Valves

    I think that's @Zeus. way of saying yes it helps mate. :D
  12. AverageWhiteBloke

    CO2 Valves

    Hello mate, yeah pretty much if using pressurised co2 from canisters. Most aquarium based regulators these days will come with a built in solenoid. One thing you'll find when dealing with co2 is plants like stability and at the right time so setting things up with a timer keep it that way and...
  13. AverageWhiteBloke

    Can I use JBL ProScape Volcano Mineral as bio media?

    There's no reason why you can't use anything at all in a filter as medium within reason, if it has a porous surface even better, the problem being how much is it going to impede flow. Small tightly packed granules will cut off a lot of flow through the canister and clog quickly and getting...
  14. AverageWhiteBloke

    Tank Resonance

    Hmm so it must be something the air line pipe is in contact with maybe. Out of curiosity what happens if you take the airstone and pipe out the tank and just run them in the same room? I know that may sound bizarre haha but I do acoustic containment in building for a living. Just trying to work...
  15. AverageWhiteBloke

    Tank Resonance

    Is the air pump in the cabinet? I would say isolating one from the other some way would solve it as it's the frequency of both that's combining. Maybe have the air pump on a shelf or floor totally separate from the cabinet and make sure the only point of contact for the air/pump stone is the...
  16. AverageWhiteBloke

    Flow in a cube

    They have a small grill over the top so ok for adults not so for babies. I've seen people put sponge or fine mesh over them though. Sent from my STH100-2 using Tapatalk
  17. AverageWhiteBloke

    Flow in a cube

    What about the APS surface skimmer. https://www.allpondsolutions.co.uk/aquarium/filters/surface-skimmer/surface-skimmer-250l/ you can turn it right down as it's adjustable, may be a little fast at first when the sponge has just been cleaned but it slows down pretty quick and has the bonus of...
  18. AverageWhiteBloke

    Filter floss in pre-filter

    When I use the analogy through work more manpower often isn't the answer. Get too many different trades climbing over the top of each other and it becomes counter productive. Get the right people in at the right time in the right order and you can do far more with far less....a bit like filter...
  19. AverageWhiteBloke

    Filter floss in pre-filter

    At least it made sense to someone ;)
  20. AverageWhiteBloke

    Filter floss in pre-filter

    Haha, I know, don't know where that came from. I was trying to think of an example of how having loads of something isn't always better unless you are getting some use out of it. It sort of fitted, I was trying to qet across the first small surface is doing all the fighting and the stuff at the...
  21. AverageWhiteBloke

    Filter floss in pre-filter

    Same for me, good idea in principle but couldn't handle all that going on in eye shot.
  22. AverageWhiteBloke

    Filter floss in pre-filter

    It all depends on how often you want to clean it I guess. Obviously after coarser medium a lot of the bigger stuff has already been removed. Using it as a prefilter it has to grab everything so will clog quicker. In a prefilter though you can change it without pulling apart the main filter. If...
  23. AverageWhiteBloke

    Necessary flow through filter

    I don't think it would actually matter how you achieve good circulation as long as you do. I would imagine the reasoning behind the 10x rule would be sufficient flow created by something that is outside of the tank and not spoiling the view.
  24. AverageWhiteBloke

    Switching Tanks - Keeping Filter Alive

    I'm currently cycling a low tech tank using an already matured sponge filter, some old fish tank water, tetra cycle and quite densely planted and I'm still getting fairly high nitrite readings 15days in and that's without any fish. Sent from my STH100-2 using Tapatalk
  25. AverageWhiteBloke

    Switching Tanks - Keeping Filter Alive

    Word to the wise mate, having a mature filter running in a new setup will definitely speed up the process of maturing the tank but I would say in a new tank a lot of the "friendly" bacteria reside on the surfaces of hardscape, gravel and plant leaves so when setting up the new tank I would still...
  26. AverageWhiteBloke

    Filter outlet type - Lily Pipe, Spray Bar, Wide Jet

    I don't think there are any pros and cons as such. How you get decent flow around the tank is whatever works for you. The use of lilly pipes etc is probably more to do with the fact they look nice and less obtrusive in the aquarium. The only advantage I can think of with them is the ability to...
  27. AverageWhiteBloke

    Flow rate & current in planted tanks

    Pressurised systems have really came down in price mate, you can pick up a regulator and solenoid for under £40 these days new on auctions sites. 4 or 5 years ago you wouldn't get much change from £100. After the initial investment it's just a case of re-filling co2 bottles which is also...
  28. AverageWhiteBloke

    Flow rate & current in planted tanks

    Is it just me or is this one of those tanks that looks like its going to boom when it gets a bit of fine tuning. Its just got that look about it.
  29. AverageWhiteBloke

    Flow rate & current in planted tanks

    Nice job, more flow the better in my eyes as long as its not washing your gravel about. Tetras are fine in fast moving water within reason. You can usually tell with fish by body shape. If they have a stream lined elongated body they tend to live in streams with good current.
  30. AverageWhiteBloke

    Flow rate & current in planted tanks

    I came across <these> a while back and also <this> sometimes diy'ing bottles are prone to leaks but both those items look like they would solve the problems of getting up to pressure. Takes two bottles so you could alternate the start times and getter a more stable production. Yeast tends to...
  31. AverageWhiteBloke

    Question about cleaning filter media

    The coarse sponge I just run under tapwater, the Bio media like sintered glass I put in a small bucket with some tank water and swill about with my hand. I base this on it rubbing it together leaves some fresh new surfaces for bacteria to colonise a bit like would happen with a sand bed filter...
  32. AverageWhiteBloke

    Tap water direct to the tank with filters running?

    I think this should have been first on the list Ian haha
  33. AverageWhiteBloke

    Question about cleaning filter media

    Yeah, I think that's the reasoning behind it.
  34. AverageWhiteBloke

    I presume the Eheim eco pro are useless compared to the classic?

    I'm actually fancying Clive's suggestion of a bucket and pump. Home brew 25ltrs fermenting bin with lid and a decent fountain pump with 25ltr capacity filled with toy soldiers. It's crazy but it just might work :D
  35. AverageWhiteBloke

    I presume the Eheim eco pro are useless compared to the classic?

    Having one of them days Clive? :D:D:D Yeah, I'm feeling a bit that way out as well, it happens. My understanding is/was with the "Ecco" range when they first came out that it was all to do with power consumption and that's where the Ecco bit came from. They may be great filters for all I know...
  36. AverageWhiteBloke

    Filter bacteria life if filter stops.

    I would say oxygen would be the limiting factor. No fresh water through the filter the bacteria would eventually use it up and start dieing and pollute the water. It's recommended not to switch it on again without a clean so you don't pump all the dead crap into the tank. The bacteria are...
  37. AverageWhiteBloke

    How long to leave sponge in main tank?

    I think bacteria colonies change depending on the environment they are living in. Would happen quite quick I reckon, even just running it for 24hrs in the main tank, seeding the new tank with some old water and some will come in on the plants. Probably will still have to go through the process...
  38. AverageWhiteBloke

    A Decent Nano Heater?

    Sent from my STH100-2 using Tapatalk
  39. AverageWhiteBloke

    A Decent Nano Heater?

    Maybe try one of these from co2 art. I have to be honest here, I bought one some months ago but haven't managed to set a tank up with it in yet, my nano is still in the haven't decided what to do with it yet mode and I've been too busy at work. It's very small and discreet, can be controlled...
  40. AverageWhiteBloke

    Splitting the outlet

    Just realised op was running two lilly pipes off one filter. For some reason I thought it was one lilly pipe off two filters :facepalm:
  41. AverageWhiteBloke

    Splitting the outlet

    Not totally sure but I think many people have tried this before. I think rather than doubling the flow one cancels out the other so not a good move.
  42. AverageWhiteBloke

    Enough turnoer or to mutch

    Generally speaking the more turnover the better unless it's going to throw gravel about and uproot plants. They say aim for 10x the tank turn over per hour as a rule of thumb but a lot depends on positioning of the outlet etc. Also canisters usually give their rating when empty, they usually...
  43. AverageWhiteBloke

    Just bought the JBL e1901 and i am not sure about the sound!

    If it makes you feel any better sometimes my Aqua one can sometimes do it for weeks and knocking it on and off stops it maybe for a few hours, sometimes for a few days. I appreciate you could do with knowing though while you have time to send it back. I guess either co2 or o2 builds up in them...
  44. AverageWhiteBloke

    Just bought the JBL e1901 and i am not sure about the sound!

    Sounds like the impeller bouncing around. This sometimes happens when I've just cleaned mine. Have you tried knocking it on and of rapidly a few times and giving it a little rock to try and make it burp out the air bubble?
  45. AverageWhiteBloke

    Will filter bacteria survive and function under 6 Ph?

    De-nitrifying bacteria are found in some really hostile places including very acidic conditions so my guess would be that they should be fine. Don't know if there's a lower limit of PH on the strains found in our aquariums. Interesting question, unfortunately I don't have the answer but I'm sure...
  46. AverageWhiteBloke

    to much circulation??

    I would say you can never have enough movement unless there are issues where the flow is stirring up the gravel or the fish were being blown about like leaves on a windy day. You would of course have to position these strategically so that they weren't cancelling out each other, for instance if...
  47. AverageWhiteBloke

    Bleaching silicone tubing? Bad idea?

    Wow, you're having some issues there buddy! I take it you are using a pipe brush cleaner to clean the pipes? Makes me wonder why the staining is staying on the pipes after running the brush through. I use eheim pipes personally, not that it makes a difference and they come up as good as new with...
  48. AverageWhiteBloke

    Purigen - Has it got a use by date?

    Just remembered why I stopped using Purigen, couldn't get hold of Seachem prime and as I understand it you're not meant to use some of the dechlorinators that provide a slime coat for the fish. I tend to use API stress coat because of its availability. Are there others which are known to be safe...
  49. AverageWhiteBloke

    Purigen - Has it got a use by date?

    I knew I had seen that somewhere about not drying out.
  50. AverageWhiteBloke

    Purigen - Has it got a use by date?

    Ahh thanks, you mean clean with bleach? I have two bags of it which I cleaned with bleach then rinsed with some clean water with prime added then stored them away in a tupperware box with some cooled, boiled water. I was under the impression that once used you had never to let it dry out. Was...
  51. AverageWhiteBloke

    Purigen - Has it got a use by date?

    So out of curiosity is it safe to use if it had been used and re-generated a few times and then stored in a jar of clean water?
  52. AverageWhiteBloke

    Canister filter emergency, how much pressure?

    No sign of any leaks this morning. It's been a worrying night :nailbiting: Hopefully my taps will come pretty quick. Got express delivery but I'm guessing Tuesday is still the earliest.
  53. AverageWhiteBloke

    Canister filter emergency, how much pressure?

    Maybe an idea. Problem is getting it back off! https://flic.kr/p/p6jw2V This is how it is now on the outlet.
  54. AverageWhiteBloke

    Canister filter emergency, how much pressure?

    Had an incident with my filter, the plastic taps have broken and had to hold them in place with copper wire like a champagne cork. Seems okay until I can get spares. Just wondering if much pressure builds up in the canister. Says pressurised filter on it.
  55. AverageWhiteBloke

    Recommend a filter inlet guard??

    To be fair there's not much difference wherever you get it from. I repaired all of mine using a heat glue gun which seems a lot stronger than the adhesive they were originally made with. My first two came off at the top. The secret being not to handle the mesh part when fitting only the metal...
  56. AverageWhiteBloke

    Recommend a filter inlet guard??

    Be very careful with them, they are easily broken. The glue holding them together is quite weak and if you crush the mesh it's quite difficult to get back to shape. They go on glassware a lot better than plastic. Putting the rubber washer in hot water to soften it up also helps. I have three of...
  57. AverageWhiteBloke

    Stainless Lilly Pipes

    Not great news, the guy was in today. Had a bit of a chat with him which didn't go well. Apparently his wife hasn't been well. Really ill as it happens, thought I hadn't seen him about much lately. Anyway, long story short he's packing up his unit and given his notice. I found it difficult to...
  58. AverageWhiteBloke

    Stainless Lilly Pipes

    Will do, the guy is not in all the time. He just pops in when he has something to do when he's not fishing or shooting ducks with tungsten cartridges :rolleyes: I'll ask him if he could make some that would be suitable for my tank dimensions so at least if no one likes the look of them they are...
  59. AverageWhiteBloke

    Stainless Lilly Pipes

    cool let me know how it goes. The guy I know took is semi retired. the engineering place he worked at went pop and he got a little industrial unit and bought some of the equipment with his redundancy. he's the quintessential English bloke with a pipe who loves to make things. I would say he'd...
  60. AverageWhiteBloke

    Stainless Lilly Pipes

    ok guys, like I said, I have only ever bought glassware off the seller. nice diy job for the above. Op, if I come across anyone selling I'll let you know, good luck with the search. There's a one man band engineer a couple of units up from mine with all the lathes and specialist equipment. If I...
  61. AverageWhiteBloke

    Stainless Lilly Pipes

    http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=221116639634 They do them also, not sure about the price because i haven't compared. I have dealt with the seller on many occasions mainly for glassware and have found all their products of high quality do far. The majority of things I've ordered...
  62. AverageWhiteBloke

    A pump to fit inside a 25 litre drum for water changes?

    Can you not put the water into a 5gall fermenting bin then the pump in there. London Dragon also came up with diy water change ideas worth looking into.
  63. AverageWhiteBloke

    Recharging and storing purigen.

    Ok bud cheers. I don't suppose you know how long it's good for? I suppose indefinitely really, sitting in a tub of clean water would be no different to sitting in the tank I guess.
  64. AverageWhiteBloke

    Recharging and storing purigen.

    Yeah I've got that bit mate. Just wondering how to store it if I leave it out the tank for a while.
  65. AverageWhiteBloke

    Recharging and storing purigen.

    I think I'm about due recharging my purigen in the next week or two, due a filter clean so might as well kill two birds with one stone. How long do people leave it soaking in the one to one bleach solution for? Thinking about maybe buying another bag rather than breaking the filter down again...
  66. AverageWhiteBloke

    eBay lily pipes

    You can get stainless mesh filters that slip over the end of the intake to prevent sucking out live stock. Work well on mine, no longer finding shrimp in my canister. Wouldn't mind having acrylic spray bar and pipes in my 30 gall. Two items that would be massive sellers in this game is a lily...
  67. AverageWhiteBloke

    Aesthetics or Practicality

    No problem mate I've been thinking about what you were saying. Problem is with lid, it only has cut out either middle of tank at the sides or the back left corner. Like you say I need to have a mess about. Didn't do a journal because I was moving house so got set up in a bit of a rush.
  68. AverageWhiteBloke

    Aesthetics or Practicality

    Managed to swap things round and put the spray bar back in.Do you mean the Koralia pointing from back to front instead of side to side. IMG_00000028 by AWB70, on Flickr.
  69. AverageWhiteBloke

    Aesthetics or Practicality

    Had another thought, as it stands now water is fired along the back of the tank across the heater. The koralia then pumps down and across the front creating a circular motion around the tank. If I go back to spray bars the least flow would be coming from the far right furthest away from the...
  70. AverageWhiteBloke

    Aesthetics or Practicality

    Thanks for your views, what do you suggest for a black background and do you think it will give the effect of closing down space making it look overall smaller?
  71. AverageWhiteBloke

    Aesthetics or Practicality

    IMG_00000024 by AWB70, on Flickr IMG_00000023 by AWB70, on Flickr IMG_00000022 by AWB70, on Flickr What in the opinions of people in here gives the best results when it comes to getting flow round the tank? I opted for the duck bill type inlet that came with my Aqua One external based on...
  72. AverageWhiteBloke

    purigen question

    Don't know what I was panicking for it went in after the floss in the last container no problem. How does Purigen feel about liquid carbon out of curiosity?
  73. AverageWhiteBloke

    purigen question

    I have an aqua one aquis 1250 series 2
  74. AverageWhiteBloke

    purigen question

    Thanks for the replies guys. It's already bagged so should be ok, I don't think there is any room after floss stage it has a grill that goes over the top of that so I guess it'll be as far near the end as possible. I have three trays starting from bottom up. Two with ceramic stone type media the...
  75. AverageWhiteBloke

    purigen question

    Just wondering if there is anywhere in particular to put it in the canister. Probably doesn't matter.
  76. AverageWhiteBloke

    Advice for a water changing pump needed.

    Cheers for the advice, time to shop and save my back :)
  77. AverageWhiteBloke

    Advice for a water changing pump needed.

    Pouring directly from a bucket isn't really an option. Firstly I use a 5 gallon fermenting bin which would need two hands, even if I switched to using smaller buckets it would still be a two handed operation I reckon and would have to be poured that slowly I would be holding the bucket at...
  78. AverageWhiteBloke

    Advice for a water changing pump needed.

    Thanks guys ill check out the pumps mentioned. At the minute I fill my buckets with a hose connector half way down the garden. Two five galls cold and 2x 2.5galls hot from the kitchen sink gets the temp about right. Don't mind humping the buckets in. Usually cures my hangover;) its the constant...
  79. AverageWhiteBloke

    Advice for a water changing pump needed.

    Looking for a pump I can drop into my 5 gall bucket to pump new water into my tank on water change day. Anybody came across a fairly cheap one that fits the bill? I don't mind humping the buckets out I only change 3 at a time but my backs not getting any younger :rolleyes: and it would be great...
  80. AverageWhiteBloke

    canester filter working duration in 24 hrs

    Bit confusing this my friend! Did your filter stop once because of power failure and now the problem is sorted or is this doing it all the time? Like the other people mention once a supply of oxygenated water stops going through the filter the bacteria will start dying off. Not sure in what...
  81. AverageWhiteBloke

    Glass ware!!

    I think I saw some post like this before, someone did make glass spray bars but they didn't take off.
  82. AverageWhiteBloke

    Newbie to planted tank?

    Upload to flickr account if you have one or just open one for free, when the pics on flickr just click share then copy the BB code into here.
  83. AverageWhiteBloke

    How to get the water clearer!

    :oops: no sorry I just saw canister and assumed it was an external canister, you are right though the problem with a lot of internal filters is the sponges often have quite large holes in to extend the time between cleaning so only really starts trapping smaller particles when it clogs a bit...
  84. AverageWhiteBloke

    How to get the water clearer!

    I added a small internal filter which can also help polish the water once it's been running a while.
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