Return to the Aquariums Forum
| Post a Follow-Up
URGENT: Information on Filters
| | |
Posted by lbains 9 FL (My Page) on Fri, Oct 9, 09 at 10:54
| Well, I've just about got my new aquarium set up and ready for the fish but I've hit a road block. The HOB filter I have is fairly quiet but the cascading water from the unit to the tank keeps me up all night. It sounds like someone pouring water into a glass all night. I have the aquarium filled to the brim and it is still an issue. So…the HOB is not going to work. With advice I was given on the forum and from the pet store "aquarium expert" I was told to put the HOB on a timer to turn off when I went to sleep and come back on in the morning and put an air stone in the tank to create movement at the surface while the HOB was turned off. Now I'm being told by other forum members that isn't a good idea due to the good bacteria dying with the HOB off. I will admit when I woke up this morning with the HOB turned off for the first time overnight that the water appeared a little cloudy. I did sleep better without it on though.
Here is my question….The HOB will not work for me due to the cascading waterfall effect into the tank. The air stone will not work because with the HOB turned off it will kill beneficial bacteria. What is the solution for my problem? I was told a canister filter would clean the tank well and be almost completely silent. I went to Petco yesterday and looked at them and the are $99.99 (ouch!) and there are none in my area on Craigslist. At this point if the canister filter will fill the bill for what I'm looking for I'll bit the bullet and buy it but I just want to make sure there isn't something else better that I should consider before investing in this. I'm beginning to get agitated because I've been working on this since Monday and thought I'd have it ready for the fish by the weekend. The last thing holding me back is the filter issue and unfortunately if I can't find a solution to my despair I'll have to return everything and forget about my aquarium adventure. ANY help/advice on this would really be appreciated from those of you who have been through this. Thanks! |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: URGENT: Information on Filters
| | |
Hi
Interesting so many people go to great lengths to increase the waterfall sound lol
Might try a piece of cork bark or styrofoam tethered in place under the discharge.?? Will spread the return so should lower the sound??
I'm a big fan of canister filters mainly because my tanks are more for plants than fish. They certainly can be silent but occasionaly rattle.
How large a tank is it?? The Marineland HOT can be discharged underwater so no sound at all.
gary
|
RE: URGENT: Information on Filters
| | |
| Depending on your tank size. I use a IN tank filter. It hangs on the sides like a power filter but inside the tank. I keep the water level just at the lip of the discharge which is flat. Thus water doesn't fall "down" to water surface. It simply flows ACROSS the surface and intake is at bottom of the molded unit. Thus isn't as noisy as outside tank power filters where water falls back into tank. I think it is made by Tetra or Whisper. I have not had to use a pump since setting this up. Though my tank started as a cold water natural tank which I used to hold over pond fish through winter. Now it has become a Goldfish tank since I took pieces of our water plants to cultivate for a friend. |
RE: URGENT: Information on Filters
| | |
| Maybe it's cheaper to keep the aquarium the way it is and getting a white noise machine for your bedside table? My dad swears by it and sleeps like a baby-he used to have a lot of trouble getting to sleep even with small noises in the house. |
RE: URGENT: Information on Filters
| | |
| Maybe a different type of HOB will be quieter. Maybe a bio wheel would be quiter, or a hagen aquaclear? The cannisters are very pricy. You may get used to the noise. |
RE: URGENT: Information on Filters
| | |
| zip tie a filter sponge on and cut to fit. A little over hang in the tank is a must. |
|
|
|
|
