Question: Seachem denitrate improves air bubble filters?

[ntny]

Hello folks,
may i know normally what type of filter media do you guys used in Air bubble filters?
i am currently using small air bubble filters from GEX Roka Boy compact for my semi-aquatic tanks. these small filters came with wool, carbon and some gravel. and can operate at low water levels
https://theaquaticgazette.wordpress.com/2011/06/14/gex-roka-boy-compact/

but i guess for such small air bubble filters the filtration capacity (bacteria surface area) is very limited
i was thinking to add some seachem denitrate to improve them.
http://www.seachem.com/denitrate.php

any guys used seachem denitrate and care to share?
thanks
.

 

[ntny]

hello folks,

i have been using air bubble Box filters for 2 of my aquatic/semi-aquatic tanks for quite a while now. so far it works quite fine.i have go ahead and added Seachem Denitrate bio media to improve the biological filtration too and they seems doing a decent job
but i notice they are very poor in mechanical filtration, they have very poor suction power even when i turn on my air pump at full blast 160L/hr per outlet.
if there anyway to improve them?

thanks

 

[ntny]

Hello folks
just sharing some tips on old fashion air bubble box filters.
i just read up 2 links belows on air bubble box filters. they are helpful
https://pethelpful.com/fish-aquariums/How-to-Use-a-BoxCorner-Filter
http://www.cpp.edu/~jskoga/Aquariums/Cornerfilter.html
the problem i have is because i stuffed to much sponge and media inside the box filters and somehow it reduced the water flow hence very poor suction power.
i have since thin out the sponge and reduce the media with about 5mm clearance. when i shake the box filters there is some noise. previously i stuff it to the max...lol
the suction power does improve quite a bit now.

Cheers!.

 

[ntny]

Hi Folks,
Does anyone here still uses old fashion air bubble box/corner filters for your newt tanks?
care to share which brand and model you guys have used?
i will like to learn more information about anyone who modify their air bubble box filters and stuff like that...
i find this is quite an interesting topic for discussion for people who like old fashion filtration. lol
by the way i am currently using GEX Roka box filter-M size series
they are quite decently sized at about LxBxH 4"x4"x5" inches and can contain quite some Bio-media eg, Fluval bio-max or Seachem denitrate/matrix
they also work quite well in low profile tanks example Exo-terra Faunarium-L and Lee Reptile Haven -L
see link below
https://theaquaticgazette.wordpress.com/2011/06/24/gex-roka-boy-comparison/

Thanks and have a nice day

 

[coleonyx]

I no longer keep aquatic newts but these were my filter of choice when I did, had them in pretty much every tank. I like the rounded type you can import on eBay which are smaller than the usual square ones and have an angled outflow pipe which can be adjusted for height and direction. Really handy if you want to reduce flow by changing the direction of water dispersion. I still have one of these new in the box which I kept in case I see any CB Notophthalmus viridescens available.

I first started using them when I kept a mini aquarium at University (would be called a nano tank now but this was a looooong time ago!) and had great results with it, just seemed to keep the water impeccably clean with very little effort. I usually used a base of gravel then activated carbon sandwiched between two layers of filter wool with more gravel on the top which is really cheap to keep running if you buy in bulk. I usually bin the filter media they come with as it's junk, the thin sponge layers are useful to place on top of the rest of the media to keep it all in place though. Don't pack it down, use some tank water to give the wool some mass and let the weight of the gravel compress it slightly. They're a bit awkward to place in the tank as you need to get all the air out but once they're in there you're good.

Here's the ones I use:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Air-Driv...629195?hash=item3b1756b64b:g:5TMAAOSwi4dazaIf.

I used them with the small Tetra pumps which were the quietest cheap air pump I could find. I hung these from the back of the tank stand (they had a rubber loop) to cut down on vibration noise and movement. If you need low airflow then the BiOrb pumps are actually ok, they're so quiet because they barely pump any air out! I got a couple in a job lot and they were fine for the C. Orientalis I had at the time

 

[ntny]

Hi coleonyx,
Thanks for sharing. very interesting some folks here still using old fashion air bubble box filters.
i do really like them for a many good reasons but 1 hate for them... lol
likes:
1) very cheap
2) can put quite some bio-media when compared to small internal submersible filters
3) aerate water very well
4) doesn't heat up water
5) doesn't create too strong water current
6) 1 big air pump can drive a few of them
hate:
1) they have pretty poor mechanical suction when compared to even the smallest internal submersible filters. this is the only bad about them.

Does anymore tried any modification on them to improve mechanical suction?
i have tried a few and it did improve abit
1) drill many 5-8mm holes at the bottom to suck dirt since most dirt and poop are at the bottom of the tank
2) do not jam pack too much sponge or bio-media leave at least 5mm gap space for water to flow thru easier
3) turn on my air pump to max power! actually my air pump now is providing 180L/hr for each box filters
4) always use an air stone inside the box filter as smaller air bubbles provides better water flow

i am not too sure if i get a more powerful air pump example 300L/hr for each box filters will help?
i am also thinking to change to wooden air stones which can produce very fine air bubbles like those for protein skimmers? not sure it will help though...
please share with me

Thanks guys

 

[ntny]

hello folks
i just sharing some old fashion air bubble box filters
LUSTAR Jumbo Round Box Filter w/base
https://www.shop.riftlakeaquatics.net/LUSTAR-Jumbo-Round-Box-Filter-w-base-LUSJMBRND.htm
Lee's Triple-Flow Corner Filter, Large
https://www.amazon.com/Lees-Triple-Flow-Corner-Filter-Large/dp/B0002APX0U
GEX Roka Boy M Bio Filter
https://www.amazon.com/Roka-Filter-small-aquarium-operated/dp/B002RV0IBQ
GZCORAL forced sediment filter
https://www.amazon.co.uk/sediment-pneumatic-suction-Aquarium-shipping/dp/B014DX6XOG

The LUSTAR Jumbo Round Box Filter looks very tempting. big and can hold alot of bio-media
The GZcoral filter looks like a kind of more advance box filter it has no wool or sponge only bio-media?

thanks and cheers