why can't i use those regular hanging filters for a saltwater tank?

Question

I was about to get a 20 liter tank today but when i mentioned that i was going to use it for saltwater fish, the guy told me to get one of those huge filters that was basically larger than the tank. Do i really have to get those large ones, or will a regular over the back filter do? I'm not really going to get saltwater fish but brackish green spotted puffers...

I don't really get it but if the main purpose of getting the canister filters were volume, wouldn't it also be a good idea to get a larger capacity over the back filter?

Answer 1

There's no reason you can't use a Hang-On-Tank (HOT) filter, especially for a fish-only tank (store employees often try to make a "sale" by trying to convince you that what you have isn't adequate, or selling you something inadequate, so you have to return for what you should have bought in the first place).

The main reason for using a canister is you get more flexibility with the filtering media and larger surface area for bacteria (the ones that convert the ammonia and nitrite to nitrate) to colonize. Another "pro" to using them is that they force water through the media and don't allow it to bypass the media when it gets clogged (HOTs allow the water to flow over the intake tube or over the filter pad). On the down side, they require a bit more effort to clean them, and people have the habit of putting this off.

Since puffers tend to be sensitive to ammonia and nitrites, you do want to provide as good of water quality as you can, but this doesn't mean you have to get a canister. An AquaClear with its large foam media give excellent surface area for bacteria for a HOT, and you can increase this by using the biomax ceramic tubes (http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/10586/product.web ) in a mesh bag above it. You can also add a bag of these to any HOT filter you may already use. Just monitor your water chemistry and do 1-2 weekly water changes (puffers are messy eaters) as needed.

Answer 2

You can use a hang on filter in a saltwater tank with not problems, and you will definanatly not have a problem with a brackish tank. Canister filters are recommended because they are higher volume filters in general which you tend to need with puffers because they are messy but a high volume hang on would be fine also. One problem though is that green spotted puffers get up to 6" and a 20 liter tank is just over 5 gallons and not near big enought for even one fish this size.

Answer 3

The salt will not crystalize. It stays dissolved. I use a Hang On Back power filter with my 10 gallon nano. It's an aquaclear 20 to be exact. You can use HOB filters with small saltwater tanks, It's just that when you get bigger slatwater tanks, you need more filtration for more water circulations and canister filters would work better for that. 20 Liters is 5.28 gallons, thats not a big tank at all, you could only put 1 fish in there with some coral and a shrimp or snail. An HOB filter would be plenty.

Answer 4

I believe the main reason to go with a bigger filter is because salt water is heave and actually makes the filter more effective. So a small filter would max out its capacity quicker. The salt will actually cause the filter to filter out substances that it would normally miss had the salt not been present. Which would actually can work against having a big filter because it will strip out many of the minerals that the fish need. That is why it is important to focus on a biological filter more then a mechanical. Personally I would go with the smaller filter and instead of using simple carbon media I would go with Chemi-pure media. You can buy this in a pillow and it will last for about 6 months.

PK

Answer 5

you may particularly turn your 15 right into a extreme-high quality tank for a pair of clowns, as long as they are juveniles and the two further on the comparable time. in case you place 2 adults jointly they are possibly to be 2 men and could combat fairly badly. It seems such as you somewhat do no longer understand what you're stepping into in case you even seen putting a tang right into a tank that length. i'm happy you're involved in stepping into marine fish. many human beings are too indimidated to even provide it a attempt. i might advise which you get your self a pair of sturdy marine fishkeeping books. Your First Marine Aquarium, revealed via Barron's is my very own sought after and is extremely brief and to the factor. in case you desire to do a "fish in basic terms" equipment it would be plenty extra decrease priced than doing a reef tank. the adaptation is that the 1st will take plenty longer to cycle(enhance sufficient micro organism to assist fish) via incontrovertible fact that's punctiliously with out micro organism on the time of set up. The latter is very high priced before you ever place your first fish into the tank, notwithstanding it will be extra healthful and organic for the fish. For a fish in basic terms setup all you go with is: a million. a sturdy clear out. i might say for a fifteen gal tank get one that filters a 30 gal. 2. overwhelmed coral. this could be a inexpensive thank you to conceal the backside of the tank and shop the ph up the place it particularly is meant to be without consistent sorting out and including. 3. Salt blend. some human beings will inform you that on the spot Ocean is undesirable and finished of phosphates. that's basically unfaithful and the thank you to get you to purchase extra high priced mixes. I even have been using on the spot ocean for 3 years and my fish have not complained as quickly as. 4. A hardy fish to cycle the tank. attempt to locate a fish save which will sell you a damsel so which you may apply approximately 8 weeks and then will show you how to return it and purchase the pair of clowns you like. do no longer bypass away a damsel interior the tank. it will be very aggressive as an person and %. on all your fishies. Please do no longer set this tank up till you have study up so plenty extra your self. do no longer have confidence the advice of the puppy save workers the two. I used to artwork at one and understand that maximum people who artwork at puppy shops do no longer understand something approximately freshwater fish, no longer to indicate saltwater, and pull each and every thing they say out of their ***. i'm hoping this helped.:-)

Answer 6

Because the salt would crystallize inside the filter and clog it up.