Hamburg Mittenfilter Update

[PaulineMi]

I've been running the end wall type HMF with the uplift kit for five days now.  I must say I'm impressed with it so far. The air/water mix running from the top of the uplift across the water surface causes any debris on the bottom of the tank to flow back to the foam "wall" keeping the water in continuous circulation.  There's also the added benefit of the surface agitation helping with the oxygen level in a warm water tank. I'm only using a Tetra 100 double outlet air pump that came with a different tank that I bought used. It's also running a sponge filter on a bottom tank. No high powered equipment in use here.

The discus in this tank are a bit skittish so having to syphon the tank a few times per day is done with little disturbance to the fish.  I can syphon out left over food and poo from one end of the tank while the discus huddle together at the opposite end. From what was explained on the Swiss Tropicals website, due to its size it takes about three months for the foam wall to become fully biologically active. Oh...and since my new babies are still learning that there are no predators hovering above them, I can't get over the top of the tank to take pictures. 

Now I have to find out if this type of filtration will work in planted and sand bottom tanks.

[Mugwump]

Super!!..sounds like a nifty rig.....sweeeeeet

[BallAquatics]

You can also drop your syphon behind the foam and not cause any distrubance in the tank when doing water changes.  That's probably my favorite thing about using these in fry tanks... you can do a quick vac and then remove the bulk of the water from behind the foam without worry of getting any of the little ones.

Dennis

[PaulineMi]

Ah...good point Dennis. Thanks for that.

[PaulineMi]

Found some interesting archived info on HMF filtration on The Planted Tank forum.  I may have to re-read some of it...lots to absorb.

I read a suggestion that a plexiglass channel could be put into substrate. The foam can be placed into the channel......  Would that work?  The question/answer post is informative. Planting moss on the foam would be something I'd like to see and to hear about. Wonder how it works out over a period of time.

http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/diy-aquarium-projects/22453-wet-thumb-forum-new-filtration-concept-3.html

[Mugwump]

Planting moss should make the filter go longer between changes....I would think??

[BallAquatics]

I just put my foam in before adding substrate and then let the substrate pile up along the foam just like the other sides of the tank.  This has worked for me with the foam in the middle as a divider, on the end as a typical HMF and when using it in corner installations.  I don't know why you would need anything extra.

As for plants, I try to discourage plants from growing on the foam because I think it's easier to rinse without plants.  That said, it has been my experience that moss loves HMF foam almost as much as I do!

Dennis

[Mugwump]

I've had moss attach itself to a sponge filter, I just left it...LOL..and old sponge anyway, and it looked neat..

[PaulineMi]

Ah...glad to know the foam filter works okay in planted tank substrate.

[Mugwump]

Is that sponge loaded up yet enough for decent bio?...did the tank mini-cycle? or did you have other filters running til up to snuff?

[PaulineMi]

From everything I've read it will take a few months for the HMF to be fully biologically active.  So yes, I have a seeded filter running at the other end of the tank.

Since I'm syphoning the tank bottom a few times per day and doing 60% daily water changes the active filter may not be so active anymore.  Perhaps you'd refer to it as the placebo effect....for me. 

[BillT]

did the tank mini-cycle?

What does "mini-cycle mean?

fully biologically active

What does fully biologically active mean?

[Mugwump]

did the tank mini-cycle?

What does "mini-cycle mean?

fully biologically active

What does fully biologically active mean?

Mini cycle is if the filter is not completely cycled and starts to cloud a bit, then finishs off quickly..

A fully cycled sponge or sponge filter is that...a filter/sponge 'bio' capable of sustaining a tank..already cycled with adequate bio present

[BallAquatics]

What does "mini-cycle mean?

Not wanting to hi jack Pauline's thread  ==> http://www.mugwump-fish-world.com/index.php?topic=645.0

Dennis