What is the best way to keep your fish tank SUPER clear?

Question

I was at a local fish store the other day and I noticed the fish tanks were amazing! Call it Fish tanks in HD! I asked the workers what the heck do you guys do? He said oh it's the filter we use pond filters instead of fish tank filters.

Has anyone ever heard of such a thing?

My fish tank is a 55gallon we use only the best food. We watch the nitrate, amonia and PH levels constantly. We add water clearing chemicals but still it's not as clear as I would like. We even purchased upgraded lights instead of the ugly yellow/white that would come witht he tank. Now, we still have the same filter that was included with the tank when we purchased it.

So my question to all of you... Do we try this pond filter and remove the fish tank filter or do we purchase a higher grade filter?

Thank you!

I should also add, that my tank is actually very clean and quite clear. When I say super clear I'm talking "Extreme" crystal clariaty. The walls of the tank are always clean the bottom is perfect it's the water I'm having trouble with.

Answer 1

Using one florescent and one actinic bulb in your tank will make the whole set-up glow. You could also look into using a protein skimmer for freshwater which will remove particles that are too small for a filter.
A

Answer 2

A pond filter is a biological gravel filter, like a swimming pool filter. It's huge canister, and you won't want that in your house. However a canister filter like the fluval or eheim will work in a home setting, and is the same principle. They are small though, but you should always have an outside filter on every tank.

If you want crystal clear and healthy water, make the entire gravel substrate a living and healthy biological filter. There is no substitute. It's called an "undergravel filter," and again it is the same principle. Think of it as turning your whole tank into a canister filter with fish in it. Really, your whole tank is a living organism. An undergravel filter is a screen that you put under the gravel. You put a powerhead on it and it pulls aerated water and debris into the gravel where it is all processes and broken down by living microbes, and then out comes filtered water. It stays on continuously and insures crystal clear and healthy water, gravel and fish. There are no stagnant or anaerobic areas of the tank anymore. A must for every tank.

I've seen people use the outside canister as the suction for the undergravel filter, but I would run them separately. Always have multiple systems running independently from each other and you will avoid a catastrophe should any one system fail. This goes for heaters and coolers and such as well.

In addition to the above, it's always good to have a high volume outside filter that is convenient and easy to clean. This is your first defense against large debris, and you can rinse out the filter medium easily and as often as you need to, to keep the bulk of the debris out of the tank. That way there is no build up of organic material in the tank.

If you have high light levels, there will be algae in the water. This is natural. A UV "filter" Lights up the water as it passes through it. It kills some parasitic organisms, but best of all, it makes the algae grow in spirals so that it can then be caught by your filters. Again, crystal clear water!

Answer 3

This is what I do -
use one of the hang on the back filters & one an undergravel with powerhead. A 55 gal. gives you many economical chioces for power heads. (your typical walmart one should work) the hanging filter catches small stuff and the undergravel the big. You can also get a polish filter (diatom) that really cleans the water and use it about once a month. These are the big canister filter that were probably being used. My favorite is the Magnum brand. You can buy all the things at your local pet store or even cheaper on the web. Just make sure you know what you are buying - if you take that route. A 55 is just big enough to have easy upkeep and still be relativily compact. Good luck.

Answer 4

Part of your problem may be the water clearing chemicals, they usually do not work as well as they claim, and they tend to do more damage than anythign else. Chemicals other than medicines are not good for tanks overall.

i keep my tanks very clean and the water is always pure.

I do a 25-50% water change each week and add the correct dosage of tap water purifier. TO remove the harsh chemicals that are found in tap water, i make sure that i change the carbon in my filters once every 2 months, and i make sure to wash off the algea that forms on the sides. I also have Bristlenose plecos, and they are WONDERFUL algea eaters. and helps stop the build up of algea and keeps the tank clean.

I hope this helps

Answer 5

you don't need chemicals dawg - all you need is an investment in a Fluval FX5 and your tank will be flossy clean! It has 3 chambers for filtration that you can use Biofiltration matter and Floss so that the water is prestine and clear.

The FX5 is such a working wonder it's not even funny. Can't buy it yet on the Internet, and it goes for about $279 right now at most LFS's. Your 55g will thank you for it. It's not overkill either - it will filter 400g's per hours - you do the math!

Good luck!

Answer 6

I never use any chemicals in my fish tank and I do a part water change once a week and a full water change once every 6 weeks. I have two filter pumps which I clean every three days and my tank is clear and fish are healthy.

Answer 7

Always make sure you have the water filled all the way to the top, especially if your filter is on the top. It makes it work harder.

Unfortunately, with fish tanks, you still need to clean it out every week.

BTW Ada you should NEVER fully change the water. It shocks the fish too much. It is the same when you bring new fish home, you have to introduce them to the fishtank water slowerly so not to shock them.

Answer 8

I just leave mine, and when it goes green, do a full clean out. My fish are used to it now. My fish tank looks spotless for twoweeks and then yuch til I get off my **** to do it. But my filter is crap, keep meaning to get a new one. According to my barbers, well my sons barbers, they have catfish to clean the tank. I used to have a magnetic cleaner, when I had a glass tank which worked a treat. I guess everyone finds their own secret!

Answer 9

wot fish you got in


some are dirty, like goldfish


to clean the tank sides you need a few of the sort that actually feed off the algae on the sides of tank, a snail is also good to clean the sides, make sure it is only one.


ooh an the filters in the shop will be pretty good, it is also somebodys permanant job to make sure the water is nice, how many hours do you spend on it?

Answer 10

I'd say a little extra filtration couldn't hurt. I've never used pond filters, but I have 2 large filters instead of just one. Also, check out www.drfostersmith.com. There are different substances you can use in your filtration to fine tune things. Usually they give a description of what they do,etc.