Pimp My Filter #83 - Maidenhead Aquatics EFX400 Canister Filter
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- Опубліковано 23 вер 2023
- Maidenhead Aquatics website: www.fishkeeper.co.uk/aquamant...
Filter Kits, Foams, Biohome, Biogravel etc: www.filterpro.co.uk
(FilterPro site has links to Biohome suppliers in other countries)
Eheim Mech: geni.us/lXrB7 (useful for under trays in filters which work bottom to top)
Eheim Substrat Pro: geni.us/98euQaB (decent alternative to Biogravel).
Booster filter for canister filters: geni.us/2bj1
This is a well made filter which will easily hold 4kg (8.8 lbs) of filter media making it suitable for a normally stocked tank of up to 400 litres (105 US gallons) or a heavily stocked tank of up to 200 litres (52 US gallons).
VERY IMPORTANT:
*Avoid using water conditioners which claim to bind / remove / detoxify ammonia, nitrite and nitrate as it will have a pronounced starving effect on the bacteria. When bacteria is starved the population will be low as it grows in line with the available 'food'.
A normal conditioner will allow the bacteria to fully populate the whole system and take away the 'need' to add more bacteria after maintenance / water change.
Most people get conned into regularly using bacteria additives and that is simply to mask the side effects from a damaging conditioner and a failing filter.
A normal conditioner like Tapsafe, Aquasafe, API Stress Coat etc. is all you need when a tank is properly set up, a filter is suitably sized (and properly set up) and Nature is allowed to so what Nature does.*
See below for notes on how much media is recommended for different stocking scenarios. The Q&A page of the FilterPro site has extensive notes on recommended treatments and how filtration works.
Follow me on Odysee: odysee.com/$/invite/@PondGuru:0
Contact me on 07772848730 / sales@filterpro.co.uk
******(I don't do texts)******
Don't "eat ze bugs" - grow your own food and create a new system ....... you can check out my efforts to create a new system to navigate Agenda 2030 on my Thousand Yard Stare channel: / @thousandyardstare
The following videos will be useful for learning more about filtration and filter media:
Sizing a canister properly and filter set up: goo.gl/om19un
Looking INSIDE different filter media: goo.gl/hZWS6c
Bacteria and filter media: goo.gl/123gAF
How to clean an aquarium: goo.gl/bPMhvh
Aquarium tips / filtration playlist: goo.gl/pXgqVj
A full cycle is completed by bacteria - the aerobic part of biological filtration which processes ammonia to nitrite and nitrite to nitrate followed by an anaerobic part which processes nitrate into soluble nitrogen which bubbles off to the atmosphere.
Therefore it requires a suitable amount of excellent quality filter media to be able to provide the environment for both aerobic AND anaerobic bacteria - that is what Biohome filter media does perfectly but even with such good media there are limitations and we recommend the following amounts for different stocking scenarios:
(1 US Gallon = 3.8 litres)
(1kg = 2.2 lbs)
Average community tropical aquarium = 1kg per 100 litres
Average coldwater aquarium = 1kg - 1.5kg per 100 litres
Predator aquarium = 1.5kg - 2kg per 100 litres
Large cichlid aquarium = 1.5kg - 2kg per 100 litres
Malawi / Tanganyikan aquarium = 1.5kg - 2kg per 100 litres
Marine aquarium = 1.5kg - 2kg per 100 litres
Average mixed fish pond = 1kg per 200 litres
Average koi pond = 1kg per 150 litres
You may be disagreeing with the above figures but remember that they are for a FULL CYCLE not half a job - achieving 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite is quite easy since aerobic bacteria grows freely on any surface but the anaerobic bacteria responsible for COMPLETING the cycle needs more a specialized habitat.
Remember to use a water conditioner which does not bind / detoxify ammonia, nitrite or nitrate as that type of conditioner will severely limit bacteria numbers by starving the bacteria of 'food'.
Size a filter properly, set it up sensibly and you will have perfect water - it's that simple....and your filter won't be the dreaded 'Nitrate factory'.....you'll spend less money on treatments too......basically the filter is the foundation of a successful aquarium.
This series of videos is all about trying to squeeze more efficiency out of internal and external aquarium filters which generally have a limited filtering capacity
We all are on a long path of learning.........
RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS ON AMAZON: goo.gl/jMaBWy
INSTAGRAM: / pondguru_outdoors
Some of the links above may be to my affiliate programs on Amazon and Ebay so they will throw a few pennies my way if you make a purchase - it costs you nothing extra and helps towards keeping the lights on in my bunker. - Домашні улюбленці та дикі тварини
Great to see you back missed your sense of humour
Thanks for watching - we all need a sense of humor considering that the world seems to be self destructing around us. If we don't laugh at the nonsense on TV and other media it could drive us crazy.
Hi Richard, I'm getting back into the aquarium hobby after a long break. This series is superb! I've learned so much from watching your videos and am genuinely excited to set up a pimped out filter. Thank you for making these videos and sharing your knowledge 😊
No worries and apologies for the late reply - I miss a ridiculous amount of comments but generally get there in the end.
Best of luck with the tank and I'm glad you find the videos useful.
"In this day of understanding and equality" 😂😂😂
Great to have you back.
Doesn't get much better than a new video from the Pond Guru to start my morning!!! Thank you Richard for the only channel that actually makes servicing my 3 cannisters almost enjoyable 💩
Editing the videos is always my worst part of any day as I don't like seeing myself or hearing myself so it's good to hear that the feelings are in cosmic balance with enjoyment from anyone suffering through one of the videos, lol
I always crack open a beer and watch Pond Guru videos... good to have a new video.
The ideal scenario would be to have a six pack and fall asleep just before the video starts to play, lol
Keep up the good work, I set my Fluval FX6 like you said to do, and my fish in my 75 gal tank are thriving, thanks so much
Nice one and I'm glad it's working well.
How is the noise level,I'm considering an FX 6 for a living room tank
They’re very quiet. I have this one set up beside cabinet and I can only hear it if I’m consciously listening for it.
Nice to have you back pimping 👌
I have few videos to upload so hopefully there will be more in the near future.
welcome back Richard
Great video as always.
I'm glad you found the video useful - thanks for watching.
Awesome video. Very easy to understand why, and how to upgrade standard filters.
I'm glad you found it useful - thanks for watching.
Thanks for the information
(my other channel) No worries and I'm glad you found the video useful.
Glad to see your still making videos
Would be nice to see some videos of sump design ideas
It's something I may revisit one day.
Great video as always and great to see you back!, been running one of these since 2010 flawlessly on my 200 litre tank still using all original parts, absolutely brilliant filter.
That is good to hear and 13+ years for a filter is very good, no matter what the make is. Especially considering how everything now seems to be designed to break, lol
Thanks for replying......Pimped with biohome ultimate in the middle tray and fluvial Biomax in the top tray and Eheim Mech to fill the big space at the bottom configured per your advice plus a pre filter sponge on the inlet strainer which I swap over with the weekly water change, only needs cleaning once every 3 to 4 months as you mentioned.🙂
@@ultramikeness5869 That's awesome and it does indeed make a heck of a difference when a filter is set up to be efficient since there are much better things to do with life than cleaning out filters. The pre-filter sponge really does extend the maintenance intervals and it's so simple to install / remove for cleaning.
🏆👍 well done sir . Great humour .
I'm glad you found the videos useful - thanks for watching.
You should do a top 3 best canister and also HOB two separate categories. Ones you can stick a great amount and media and build quality. And ones you would personally use😊
(my other channel) That is something I've considered doing with many things but I'd either need all the filters here at once or be able to edit a good video together with clips of older videos. My editing skills are almost non existent unfortunately but maybe one day I'll give it a go.
Thank you for this Richard. I actually have the Aquamanta 300 and after watching this video have realised I have had mine set up wrong for years. Mine only has the two trays but I have just purchased 2kg of Biohome ultimate from you and am going to set my filter up how you have shown. Thank you so much for sharing and showing how it should be properly set up.
(my other channel) Awesome stuff - thanks for the order and I'm glad the video was useful.
Hahahaha “understanding and equality”. I can always count on you for a good laugh! Love these videos ☺️ I am still trying to decide what filter to run on my 55gal. Your videos do help narrow it down, however.
Groovy - I'm glad you find the videos useful.
Thanks for watching.
Finally, video is published ❤
I uploaded this one ages ago but couldn't change the status to live until now.
Hi Richard, good to meet you last week, I've only just gotten around to pimping my efx 400 and after 3 hours running I can see the difference. Flow rate is better and hardly any detris floating around. Good stuff so far 👍
That is good to know and I'm glad it's made a noticeable difference - best of luck with the tank.
What's the brown sausage media your using
Hi Richard. I don't understand how I've never seen this video and that you only have 4 likes and no comments. I've not heard from you since your " drill pump" video which says it was 3 months ago. I'm hoping all is well as it's been a while since seeing you. Hoping you have just been too busy with everything. As I say, hoping everything is good as I've been missing ya man !
I've just come looking as I was thinking I've not seen him about for months. Like you say it's odd this video has so little interaction. Hope he's ok.
As Richard said,its identical to the Aqua One Aquis 1250,which also goes back to old Eheim pro 2 in construction and build quality,so can't be a bad thing when EHIEM made a great filters.A tried and tested design.The 1250 is great, might look at this one if i ever need a replacement.Another great Video Richard
Groovy - I'm glad you found it useful. Thanks for watching.
Nice to see you back. I have the 200 version of this filter so this video helped me when setting up mine. Looking to update to either 307 or biomaster. Not sure if to stick or twist.
If you're happy with what you have then there is no need to spend money unnecessarily.
@@pondguru I'm fairly happy with it, but I'd like more storage for media to help with water quality and maintenance schedule.
@@lpoolck17 You could always add a 2.3 litre filter booster on the outlet side and fill it with media instead of foams. The 2.3 litre version of the APS booster: geni.us/2bj1 will easily hold 1.7kg of Biohome Ultimate.
If that would work for you it would be way cheaper than buying a new filter.
@@pondguru what a great shout! I never realised such a product existed. Definitely going to look into this thank you 👍
@@lpoolck17 Yup, don't spend money unnecessarily.
Hello Richard please test new Aquael Hypermax 4500 congratulations, great tests, best regards
What i did with mine is the rings in the bottom and then a 20ish ppi filter sponge on top of that, then in the cage a course, medium, fine, and then the polishing pad, in the next two cages i put Ocean free Hydra filtron 3DM beads, it works a treat
That will work quite well as that 3DM media is reasonably good and porous - not perfect, but certainly better than the majority of muck sold as filter media.
@@pondguru Yep that's for sure, thinking of going for a UG again in my next tank, with a plenum, with a mesh on the plates then gravel on top of the mesh, then pond soil and capped off with medium sand, so any organic matter will get pulled into the soil to firt it for the root feeding plants, a slow flow though will make aerobic in the sand and half way into the soil and anoxic the rest of the way down, will still use a canister filter tho, would like to hook up the canister filter to the lift tube but think that will make the filter work to hard, it might work it might not
@@danfox1458 (my other channel) there are loads of people using the Biogravel in mesh bags under the substrate and it seems to work very well since it is very porous and boosts the anaerobic activity (bacteria support) compared to less suitable types of media (e.g. mineral cat litter).
Great video - helps explain the process perfectly. I see you mention how large a tanK this would filter based on BOTH standard or heavy stock, but my query is - I will be running this on an 80L tank, so should I still fill BOTH of the top 2 trays with biological media (i.e buy 4KG) or would that be overkill and I'd be better off just filling one of them with, say 2KG and then leaving the top one out?
I'd say just go with 2kg and see how it goes. There is no point buying more media than you need (although you can never have too much) and as long as you use a normal water conditioner (e.g. API stress coat) which doesn't mess with the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate the bacteria will be free to fully populate the system.
Instead of leaving the top tray empty fill it with some cheap media if you have anything spare. If you don't have any spare media just use the bottom 2 trays for foams followed by 1 tray of media.
Well said at 15:00....
That's pretty much how it is, lol
I missed you, man! Nice job and a good piped filter. Tell me Richard, where were you about a week ago? Cause your face and top of your head are red and well brownish. What I meant was that you spent too much time outside without sunblock! But good to have you back.
I filmed this ages ago but UA-cam wouldn't let me make it live. There have been all sort of coincidences going on with my computer, youtube, my bank etc.
This was probably filmed after a really hot spell in the UK but could have been when I came back from Portugal - it was nice and hot there. I generally don't use sunblock but on this occasion I got some without all the toxic crap in it and it worked well..
@@pondguru Well, lucky you. I never cared for those things neither till 2 times bad. The cooked lobster could be shamed beside me. Till 1 guy told me skin cancer. I got like a couple of dozen of those they called it a birthmark but I never had them until ... So I do get quality ones too the first time the #16 then the 8 and afterwards depends on how many times I go to the beach or travel to some tropical destination (beach) I only use #4. So sadly from about 20 years ago till now, until I ... So I use the #4 as the minimum. Anyway before I get too sentimental good to see you and BTW how did that football thing work out for your son? I hope many people voted for his team. PS: BTW, UA-cam nowadays is offended about almost anything. Remember or have you heard it they used to call it freedom of speech. Now it is over-censored like it was back in the good old communist times. So what you upload make sure a very sensitive 6-8 years old kid won't get offended by. The worst is there's no other place or program just UA-cam so they know and they make the rules however it pleases them. Simple, don't like it go somewhere else. You can't have an opinion cause it has to please the "community guidelines" We can only cry about it but seriously nothing else. No other option. Only 1 for the whole world.
@@Gabor.P. Yes on all of that and with regard to James he is now at Loughbourough university and past of the performance football squad. He gets all sort of great perks for being one of the rock stars of the university with free gym, personal trainer, nutritionist and all sorts of physio treatments. He's loving it and has scored a couple of goals so far with a man of the match performance on Saturday. He's the only one his age in the team as everyone else is 1, 2 or 3 years older.
@@ThousandYardStare WOW! Overwhelming good news. I mean I'm happy to hear that his wish is coming true and he is working on that. Please to hear that his youth measures up to older kids, that means he has a bright future ahead of him. I have a feeling this time we got a star to be. Without further jinxing it I wish him all the best good health and a bright future!
PS: If it's not a big request, at least once a year do an update on his progression and on his career. I would like that and maybe some other viewers too. TY for the info, I really appreciated it. 👍⚽
@@Gabor.P. With regard to my family I generally don't mention or include them in UA-cam videos but I'll possibly do an update on James' progression. It all seems to be going very well for him at the present time so hopefully that continues when he has some work to do at University.
Your motto should be "Bio Turd... It's the SHIT!"... :)
Good morning Mr.,
I would like to have your opinion on having aquarium related electrical appliances, like filters, air pumps, etc, near your boby (in the same room where you spend a lot of time working, like a small office/fish room). Do you think that these equipment "electrical radiation" could affect you healt or no. If so, what is /are your advices to avoid / minimize these effects. Thanks in advance for your dedication and professionalism.
Nuno
Apologies, my answer to this has been deleted by UA-cam. It is very frustrating so I will leave out the keywords which are censored in this reply.
Small appliances emit so little electric radiation that they aren't worth worrying about when there are so many other sources of damaging frequencies outside and inside:
Heavy power lines
Electrical substations
Communication towers
Driving an fully electric car (there is no shielding)
Wi-Fi (I have mine set to 2.4Ghz instead of 5Ghz)
'Smart' meters / devices / phones
etc. etc.
@@pondguru Thank you.
Can you make a 5 gallon bucket filter
Can u make a 5 Gallon bucket filter for a livewell
Hi Richard, Have you done the Marineland 360 Canister yet?
(my other channel) The Marineland filters seem to be very popular in the US but less common in the UK so it's something I haven't taken a look at yet.
However, every filter just needs to be set up simply to go from coarse to medium to fine foams / pads then followed by the biological media followed by the chemical media (if you use chemical media) - that way it will be as efficient as it can be.
As long as a filter is set up properly it will easily outperform a larger filter which is poorly set up.
The Tetra Tec 1200 plus Richard covered in his series is nearly identical to the Marineland 360 ,check it out.Hope this helps you.
❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Hello Richard, from Australia. I have an Eheim classic 250 canister, What biohomes media should i use ie the plus or the mini ultra? and how much for heavy bio load. My tank is a heavily planted, fish and shrimp 65l aquarium. I don't use the bucket in filter,it's aranged in this order: ● eheims bio rings, media holder ( platform with legs so media dont touch) then for course media i use ●Japanese mat( it's intertwine plastic strands hard mat), ● filter floss, Eheims med sponge in plant pot ● 2 filter bags full of matrix then another course sponge and another platform with legs pointing up so media doesn't obstruct powerhead. I also use course sponge( only has one opening at top sponge) on filter guard on inflow.
Since we recommend using 2kg of media per 100 litres you'd need around 1.3kg for a heavily stocked 65 litre tank. However, you can't ever have too much filtration so fill it up with whatever you have available. Sounds like it is well set up with the pumice as media but using the Biohome will allow for more available surface area for bacteria.
The plants will help out on the Nitrate so don't worry if you can't fit the full amount of media in.
@@pondguru Hi again, thanks for the advice, but which biohomes is beter ie, the mini ultra or plus?
@@urbansk8r231 It all does the same job but is made different sizes for different situations. If you're using the Eheim classic 250 I'd say go for the Biohome Plus as it is smaller than the Mini Ultra and Ultimate so it will pack into the restricted space better.
Would you set a penn plex 1500 up the same way for a 40 gallon turtle tank
As long as the water goes through the foams followed by the fine pad followed by the biological filter media it's all good.
I get the concept of catching debris at bottom but don't they leave the space on the bottom to increase flow speed?
It's just to allow the water to spread out and hit the foams. That prevents it clogging part of the foam and missing other parts.
@@pondguru I see. But then don’t you worry that filling the cavity will create uneven distribution to foams? Thank you for your answers!
@@LushSaltyAquariums Not sure how it would be uneven but having the ceramic rings in the bottom will definitely make the clean-outs less regular.
Hi Pond Guru, I was wanting to "pimp out" my hob. I have measured the pump media chamber and it is 5 x 2.5 x 7 inches and I found a pad that is 0.79 inch thick that should be able to handle all the mechanical filtration with just a pad of 3 x 7 x 0.79 and allow me to fit the most I can into that chamber. The problem comes with the amount of media I can fit. Unless my calculations are wrong I can only fit 0.513 kg of biogravel in. My tank is approximately 110 L. So it would need 1.1 kg. Any suggestions? I understand it probably won't contain 110 L after all the substrate and ornaments and other things.
With the foam that seems about right for the amount of Biogravel and it's still way more than you'd fit into an average internal filter so would be fine for an average stock of fish to keep the water healthy - just don't expect a reduction in nitrate unless you've got a decent amount of plants in the tank to help out.
The solution would be to either get another HOB filter the same size or go for something like the All Pond Solutions / SunSun HOB 500 filter as it easily holds 1kg Biogravel: geni.us/Q4AI37t
It's only around £25 and is amazing value.
I did a video on that one for my channel ages ago and it is a great filter.
@@pondguru if I did a 29 gallon tall tank with 2 apisto cacatuoides triple red and 2 apisto borellii, 10 boraras urophthalmoides, 6 hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis, 6 aphyocharax rathbuni, 6 nematobrycon palmeri, 6 moenkhausia pittieri, and either 6 corydoras pygmaeus or 3 sewellia lineolata (would you choose the corydoras or sewellia?) and if I planted an aquarium lily, rosette sword, buce 'Brownie', bolbitis, bronze crypt and windelev java and possibly had some red rotala and red root floaters, could that work?
@@thomasashe2681 My other channel - Cory and Sewellia occupy different parts of the tank so no worries going with both.
The only way you know if something is going to work is to try it - you can never have too much filtration but it's easy to have too little filtration. Time will tell how it's going to work so give it a go and see how it goes.
Every tank is different and the recommendations I give are based on reports from thousands of people from all over the world with all sorts of different tanks and stocking scenarios but there are still no concrete rules as to how much media is needed to achieve a full cycle, only guidelines based on years of feedback.
@@ThousandYardStare would that stocking be too heavily stocked for that size tank (30" long x12" wide x18" tall)?
@@thomasashe2681 That seems fine to me.
It looks like JBL Greenline.
Many different types are very similar so making these videos gets a bit samey to be honest. However, I just make them in the hope that people owning or considering buying a particular type of filter may find the video and be helped.
Copy of the old eheim professionel range in the 90's
(my other channel) Pretty much, yes.
Tango and Cash FUBAR 😅😅😅
FUBAR, big time.
A videó ist not good uploaded, don't showed in the new videos category, just when you in playlist in filters category goes