Filter recommendations for a 46 gallon tank

[DatDamWuf]

It's been a while since I've been here, because of a knee injury I have not yet replaced the horrible Seaclear II tank I have with a "real" tank. But I'm recovered enough now that I expect to buy the new tank and filter(s) in May/June.

I regret the Seaclear and the shrimp I killed due to my idiocy in buying a tank I could not see in person. I hope my experience will help others to avoid the thing. The only animals that are currently in the tank are some kuhlis, 2 amanos, 4 cardinal tetras and a rescued dwarf puffer (rescued from the filter area recently).

Anyhow, I would appreciate recommendations for filters that would accomodate a fully planted tank using mostly sand substrate and with various shrimp species (definitely Atya gabonensis, others not decided yet).

I've been looking about but get lost in a sea of options. I asked this a long time ago but the results were murky and it's been over a year so new options may be available.

[badflash]

If you stick with large shrimp like those, then a good old fashion HOB filter will do just fine and give them the flow they need. Go with 3 Aqua Clear 20 Power Filters. This will distribute the flow over the entire tank with some dead spots in between for your filter feeders. What I really like about this filter besides the excellent flow is the sponge filter it uses. You just squeeze it out and it never needs replacing. It is also excellent for transferring bacteria to another tank. Just move one of the filters to a new tank and it is instantly cycled. Put a new filter on your existing tank and it will get a new colony by the end of the week.

If you get dwarf shrimp you can put a sponge over the intake. The intake sponge would need to be cleaned at least weekly in that case.

[DatDamWuf]

thanks badflash, that looks pretty good, I am a fan of external filters vs internal. Unless I get other input I think I'll go with this.

[YuccaPatrol]

I'll agree that Aquaclear filters are probably the best HOB filters on the market. They are relatively inexpensive to buy but are even more inexpensive to operate because they don't require purchasing replacement filter cartridges all the time.

However, I prefer to buy larger ones for my tanks than the filter is rated for. As an example, an AC-50 pumps more water but the flow rate can be turned down to match that of the AC-20.

AC20: Max:100gal/hr Min: 33gal/hr
AC50: Max:200gal/hr Min: 66gal/hr

So if you buy the AC-50, you can turn the flow down to flow about the same as the AC-20, but you have the ability to turn it up as the filter clogs over time. This will decrease the frequency of maintenance and you will also benefit from having the larger size media container to increase the amount of beneficial bacteria.

Because you are interested in keeping filter feeding species, I'd say to go with the largest AC filters you can squeeze onto the back of your tank.

Also, oversized filters are really useful if you are covering the intakes with a sponge to keep baby shrimp and smaller species from getting sucked into the filter. You'll really appreciate having the option to turn up the flow as that intake sponge gets clogged.

As an example, I use the AC filter rated for a 50 gallon tank on all of my 10 gallon shrimp tanks with a sponge over the intake.

[Neonshrimp]

Also, oversized filters are really useful if you are covering the intakes with a sponge to keep baby shrimp and smaller species from getting sucked into the filter. You'll really appreciate having the option to turn up the flow as that intake sponge gets clogged.

So true, my filter's water flow is cut down greatly when I put a filter over the intakes So stronger is better is you plan on a sponge over the intake to keep the babies from being sucked in

[badflash]

The idea is a great one, if it wasn't for the cost. You raise the price with the AC50, but for sure it is the better choice. 3 AC 20's give you filtration rated for a 60 gallon fish tank. If you are keeping shrimp you don't really need that much capacity.

For sure go with multiple filters or you'll waste the tank space. Do provide some low flow space in the tank though, and some caves for hiding. Sometimes the shrimp need to chill out.

[DatDamWuf]

thanks yuccapatrol, I will go large. I am bad about cleaning the media in the winter cos I have to go outside *brrr* to use the hose to clean filter material.

[DatDamWuf]

I just read the updated FAQ on filter feeders. I really want the vampire shrimp, they are fascinating and gorgeous.

it says:
The best food for filter shrimp are the micro-organisms that are blown out of the output of a well-established canister filter. A large enough hang-on power filter might work, too.

I'm wondering if anyone has successfully kept the vamps using an external filter?

[YuccaPatrol]

I supplement my bamboo shrimp with a mix of algae wafers, high quality flake food, shrimp/crab pellets and freeze dried brine shrimp. I grind all of this up into a very fine powder and give a TINY pinch every few days when I see them actively filtering. This is just to ensure that they do get some very high quality protein on a regular basis but the mostly eat from the filter outlet.

[badflash]

thanks yuccapatrol, I will go large. I am bad about cleaning the media in the winter cos I have to go outside *brrr* to use the hose to clean filter material.

NEVER use a hose to clean your filter. Drain your water changes into a 5 gallon bucket and squeeze out your filters in that. Hoses will kill all your good bacteria and kill your shrimp.

If you are bonkers like me, you'll save that water and use it to grow green water for your filter feeders.

[RCSGuy]

thanks yuccapatrol, I will go large. I am bad about cleaning the media in the winter cos I have to go outside *brrr* to use the hose to clean filter material.

NEVER use a hose to clean your filter. Drain your water changes into a 5 gallon bucket and squeeze out your filters in that. Hoses will kill all your good bacteria and kill your shrimp.

If you are bonkers like me, you'll save that water and use it to grow green water for your filter feeders.

lol Dude I bet that green water tastes better than the wine that was originally in that
I was about to comment on that same thing.

[Neonshrimp]

If you are bonkers like me, you'll save that water and use it to grow green water for your filter feeders.

Good thing you told us wht that is, I wa thinking it was do it yourself happy hour. But seriously, what do you add to the water to get green water?

[badflash]

Nothing, that is the cool thing. I have a trash can I put my guppy water changes into, and I toss a few peices of hormwort that I've zapped in the microwave to kill it. I just allow the plants to rot in the water. When I need to make more algae I pour off some through a filter and add 1/2 gallon to a jug and top off the jug with ripe culture. Guppy waste and rotting plants give this stuff all it needs, that and lots of light. It takes just under a week to get "right".

[Neonshrimp]

Thanks badflash, I have had some results with snails and plants in a small container but then you have to do water changes and feedings.

[DatDamWuf]

NEVER use a hose to clean your filter. Drain your water changes into a 5 gallon bucket and squeeze out your filters in that. Hoses will kill all your good bacteria and kill your shrimp.

If you are bonkers like me, you'll save that water and use it to grow green water for your filter feeders.

I wasn't thinking, I'm so used to this &#$%^@@! Seaclear II that I forgot what it's like to have a normal filter. The Seaclear has a "gateway" sleeve and then a bioball chamber. The sleeve gets totally gunked up quickly and water will not pass, you have to use a hose to clear it enough to function or replace it (expensive). However, the bioballs help ensure that plenty of bacteria is available, it's aged and a fully planted tank.

after my knee injury I tore down my small tanks, just could not keep up... But things will change once I replace the ball and chain tank!