HOB filters

Depends on your tank. Leaving them in too long will contribute to high nitrate. I change mine weekly because I'm fighting a nitrate problem.
 
gbru316 said:
I'm not attributing my no3 issue to the filter. But leaving detritus in the water sure won't help.
Click to expand...

Do you aim to remove decomposable matters on the medium before they decompose?

If the tank has a lot of sites for nitrification, then mere circulation within the bank created by the HOT filter will remove ammonia.

Otherwise, if most sites for nitrification are on the filter medium inside the HOT filter, ammonia will accumulate if you renew the medium.
 
15 lbs of live rock in a 10g tank, so I certainly hope there are is enough surface area for bacteria. A 2" purple pseudochromis is the sole finned inhabitant. First year and a half was barebottom, recently added a 4" dsb to see if it'll help. Upgrading to a 20g and installing a 3' countercurrent skimmer in the weeks to come. Also losing the HOB as the 20g will have an internal filtration compartment with sponge block that'll be easy to swap out on the regular.

My problem is denitrification, not nitrification. Ammonia and nitrite are always 0.
 
gbru316 said:
15 lbs of live rock in a 10g tank, so I certainly hope there are is enough surface area for bacteria. A 2" purple pseudochromis is the sole finned inhabitant. First year and a half was barebottom, recently added a 4" dsb to see if it'll help. Upgrading to a 20g and installing a 3' countercurrent skimmer in the weeks to come. Also losing the HOB as the 20g will have an internal filtration compartment with sponge block that'll be easy to swap out on the regular.

My problem is denitrification, not nitrification. Ammonia and nitrite are always 0.
Click to expand...

Can I see a pic of your internal filtration compartment with spong block?
 
I haven't put it together yet. But basically it's a 2" high x 3" wide internal coast to coast overflow draining into a diagonal corner chamber that houses the skimmer feed pump. Just prior to the pump chamber will be the sponge block, with the rest of the overflow housing bags of carbon and GAC. Since the block is at the top of the tank (and small in size) having multiples and replacing it daily will be very easy to do.

Also thinking about a faux sand bottom using sand stuck to silicon, since I'm not entirely sold on the dsb. It was more of a hail Mary attempt than anything. Barebottom is easier to keep clean but not aesthetically pleasing.
 
I use a hob filter. I find that API works really good and I change the pad every 3 weeks, they suggest every 2 weeks but that's just a gimmick to get you to buy more filter pads if you change them every 3-4 weeks you'll be fine but no longer then that
 
I read that you could use a hob filter and replace the filter with crabon and chaeto? Or something like that? I wish I knew the science :
 
Billybatz9 said:
I read that you could use a hob filter and replace the filter with crabon and chaeto? Or something like that? I wish I knew the science :
Click to expand...
People with smaller tanks do use larger HOB filters as refugiums. Aquaclear 70 is a popular choice for this application.
 
An hob is fine. I don't use filter pads but simply stuff a chunk of filter floss in the chamber. I pitch and replace every few days. A sponge is fine too. Just swish and rinse it with salt water once a week. Don't overcomplicate it. An oversize filter is recommended.
 
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