Setup of Over-Head Filter (OHF) Examples

[celticfish]

i'm relatively new to "plecoing" and have not setup an OHF.
but i've been told and do agree to the ease of maintenance of these filters.

i would like to know how to set one up for my 3 and 4 ft tank.
i know you can buy the standard size tray i see at C328 (do they come in other sizes?).
but i'm just wondering how do you "rest" it on top of the tank.
my tanks dont have any cover and are exposed to the elements, outdoor tank.
since they are stackable you can go quite high.
wouldn't that add stress to the centre panel of the tank?

i know they are powered by power heads or pumps.
any features i should look out for these?

finally, how is the delivery of the water over the tray done?
just splash into the first layer of wool, plastic sheet with holes or a spray bar?


do "add on" to my questions above if you feel i have left out an important point.
thanks to all! :)

[Savant]

Wont anyone provide him with some advice? (so that I can know too!! :) )

[SoToNgMaN]

*Personal Perspective, no punes intended*

I would say that all forms of filtrations can be easy as well as hard to maintain. With factors on:

how u place it

Inlet (powerhead) from tank bottom?
Most debris come from bottom, OHF in such scenarios will have highest chances of choking yet achieve best mechanical filtration
mid level?
For individuals hovering between biological and mechanical
skimming via surface skimmer?
Highly towards biological

whats in it

Fine wool?
My assurance with this, less than 2 weeks u'll see this choked. But it does give the best mechanical filtration.
Bacteria House?
Some have commented that its a waste of money, though personally find that it works equally as well if not better than bio balls.
Bio Foam
Coarser than fine wool and does not choke up as fast as white wool
Bio Balls
literally advised as the first hit layer ... cos most wooden debris would be relieved by these fellas .. thus reducing choking by bottom layers
Ceramic Rings?
Works best for bio ... equates similar characteristics as bacteria house ... but hardest to maintain ...

what u plan to do with it.

Mechanical filtration?
Physical removes debris.
Bio filtration?
Converts unwanted nitrates/ammonium equiv to less harmful products.



Above commentary are surface touches ... with details easily available on the web shall one be enthusiastic to know more.

For reference one of my OHF setups:

3 tier (top to bottom) -> Bio Balls, Bacteria House, Ceramic Rings
Inlet from tank bottom by Aquamedic OR2500
Achieving

Mechanical and minor biological by bio balls
Mid of mechanical and Mid of biological by Bacteria House
Major Biological and Minor mechanical by Ceramic Rings


* Requires maintenance every 2-3 months usually because of rainbar choking rather than media choking ... hardly washed the medias for close to 1 year ...

[Edmundo]

i'm relatively new to "plecoing" and have not setup an OHF.
but i've been told and do agree to the ease of maintenance of these filters.

i would like to know how to set one up for my 3 and 4 ft tank.
i know you can buy the standard size tray i see at C328 (do they come in other sizes?).
but i'm just wondering how do you "rest" it on top of the tank.
my tanks dont have any cover and are exposed to the elements, outdoor tank.
since they are stackable you can go quite high.
wouldn't that add stress to the centre panel of the tank?

i know they are powered by power heads or pumps.
any features i should look out for these?

finally, how is the delivery of the water over the tray done?
just splash into the first layer of wool, plastic sheet with holes or a spray bar?


do "add on" to my questions above if you feel i have left out an important point.
thanks to all! :)

Hi Irwin,

My current setup since louhan era.......... still using this method. Only modification is increment in media quatity. Refer to below pics for reference.

http://www.plecoclub.org/forum/imagehosting/248169ae8b205c.jpg

Box A - Oni filter wools - to filter off debris and waste (change every WC)
Box B - Biohomme (red and Grey one box each) Mr. Aqua CR (S size)
Box C - Biohouse (Momotaro BH) mix wif Mr Aqua (s ize)
Box D - Biohouse (Momotaro BH)

Answering to your qns;
1) How to rest on the tank, will it stress on the centre of the tank?
What bracing you using? conventional or euro bracing? if conventional, wat is the bracing thickness? 6mm or 8mm or 10mm? Mine is 10mm, total weight of media 10kg minimum. so far no prom. i am using euro bracing, i did modification on the bracing. Years without "anything bad" happen.

2) power heads or pumps.
I am using submersible pump, only down side is that if the connected is loose, it will drain ur tank dry, which happens to me months ago, aro almost die.
For overhead pump, i dislike is beocs, u need to off when doing wc, cos water level drop, u have to off the pump, by doing so, the bio bacteria may dies off. i never want to off my pump even during WC. Only change wool even when pump is running. Most pple concern is the power of the pump, can the wate rbe delivered all the way, covering entire rain pipe, if your tank is 4ft leght, go for at least ehiem 1250 specification.

What else i miiss out? :rolleyes:

[celticfish]

Wow! thanks for the detailed posts guys!

@ Savant,
Thanks for asking in the thread! :D


@ Sotongman,
To expand on the points you raised how do you guys (big plecos) normally configure the filters?
Meaning, does the OHF do you bio-filtration or your mechanical?
akoh, was telling me that the larger plecos are shit machines and I do believe him after seeing the 2 ft long trail coming out his "goliath"! :eek:
I had a "bird's eye view" of the whole process as it was on the side glass panel.
You could literally see him pumping it out! kekeke


@ Edmundo,
Exactley my question on the support and weight part.
Everyone wants to build the boxes to the ceiling but somethings got to support it.
Is there a "guideline" on the weight?
I know not all tanks are created equal and I'm quite sure some of you guys have the braces reinforced well in anticipation of the boxes.
I take it that the tray rests over the length of the euro brace and the side edge of the tank?

[Edmundo]

Wow! thanks for the detailed posts guys!

@ Savant,
Thanks for asking in the thread! :D


@ Sotongman,
To expand on the points you raised how do you guys (big plecos) normally configure the filters?
Meaning, does the OHF do you bio-filtration or your mechanical?
akoh, was telling me that the larger plecos are shit machines and I do believe him after seeing the 2 ft long trail coming out his "goliath"! :eek:
I had a "bird's eye view" of the whole process as it was on the side glass panel.
You could literally see him pumping it out! kekeke


@ Edmundo,
Exactley my question on the support and weight part.
Everyone wants to build the boxes to the ceiling but somethings got to support it.
Is there a "guideline" on the weight?
I know not all tanks are created equal and I'm quite sure some of you guys have the braces reinforced well in anticipation of the boxes.
I take it that the tray rests over the length of the euro brace and the side edge of the tank?

At one point of time, i have a 8mm 4ft tank........... bracing is conventional with 8mm brace. i stack it up to 3 level, oni bottom 2 are fill with BH.........

i can exactly and confidently tel u the weight ur bracing can take, cos it will depends on the tank age, and workmanship. Tank age usually will be reference to the silicon age. beside age, exposure to natural factors like sun etc will aso affect silicon strenght.

:)

[lyh]

Bro I think one thing to take note is the number of boxes you want to stack vertically. This will affect the choice of powerhead. I am using a 3ft ohf with only 3 layers of boxes (vertically) and is using a 2000l/hr powerhead and the flow is just nice.

Like what Sotong has said it is also important for you to determine what you want to use the ohf for. I'm using is for both bio and mechnical and my set-up I believe many people will not agree with. I have two columns of trays and I put a layer of sponge in my first layer of trays with a scotch bright dish washing material look alike thing to filter all the debris. For the second layer of tray, I placed 2 pieces of the sponge for mechanical and bio filteration. This tray is washed only when choking occurs. My last tray is filled with sinister glass rings with a piece of wool on top to collect any minute particles that escaped from my first two trays. This filteration method has done well for me but the sponge in the first layer has got to be washed every 4-5 days otherwise it will overflow.

Another thing that I have modified is the water outlet. I have cut it in such a way that water does not flow right down but only a portion does. It has been cut it at such an angle that it creates water movement at the surface yet still flows to the bottom of the tank to sweep the waste to the powerhead.

Last, do not place the ohf too near to the back of the tank. In case you forgot or do not have the time to clear your filter and it decides to choke, at least the water can flow back down to the tank. If it is placed too near the back, most prob it will flow to your floor.

Hope these small tricks can help :D

[SoToNgMaN]

@ Sotongman,
To expand on the points you raised how do you guys (big plecos) normally configure the filters?
Meaning, does the OHF do you bio-filtration or your mechanical?
akoh, was telling me that the larger plecos are shit machines and I do believe him after seeing the 2 ft long trail coming out his "goliath"! :eek:
I had a "bird's eye view" of the whole process as it was on the side glass panel.
You could literally see him pumping it out! kekeke

I would encourage biological filtration.

physical waste can be removed easily via manual removed by water change.

[crazyalan]

anyone tried growing plants in filter box?

[Edmundo]

anyone tried growing plants in filter box?

hey alan, i wanted to try panda plants or Guan Ying Teck.......... i think both are useful, i seen pple using mangrove palnt in rays tank........ and money plant too. :):)