Extra FIltration for my Clowns

[Trapper_seven]

Too much information can be a dangerous thing, or a confusing one anyway.
I have been reading your boards for a long time, and am now looking for your opinions and suggestions for my new tank.
I recently moved from a 3' 33 gallon tank to a 4' 90 gallon tank. Fish in the tank are as follows:
3 clown loaches (1 x 2", 2 x 3")
4 Ottos
2 rainbows (about 2", not sure exactly which type but lfs said 3" maximum size)
10 black neon tetras

Fish still to be added in a few months as follows:
2 rainbows (probable but not guaranteed)
3-4 Botia Striata (definate if I can find them)

The filtration system on the tank is a Eheim 2026, with EHFI mech and EHFI Substrate Pro, plus filter pads.

Current water conditions are
Ammonia = 0
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = <0.125

I set the new tank up and did a fishless cycle for 2 weeks. Slowly started adding some fish, and then after 7 weeks shut down my old tank and added the clown loaches and rainbows to my new tank. This was a week ago, and so far all of the fish seem fine. Tank is planted, and has 2.5" eco-complete substrate with 1" layer of gravel (taken from my old tank) over the eco-complete.

At this time I am looking to add some additional filtration and am wondering what you reccomend. I see my option as threefold
1) Add Carbon to the Eheim 2026
2) Use a diatom filter (Vortex Freedom model) once per month
3) Use a Magnum H.O.T. once per month for the micron cartridge.

After delving through the net there is just too much info rattling in my head about the merits and weaknesses of each. In many ways the diatom looks best, and although it has the highest initial cost, it seems it would be cheaper in the long run. The diaton filters smaller particles than the magnum hot, and in any of the above 3 scenarios carbon can be added for a short period if needed.

Pls let me know what you all think, as no doubt someone out there has probably tried all of these methods.

Thanks in advance for any assistance you can provide

Rgds

[angelfish83]

Dont use carbon in your planted tank. You will take away some of the nutrients your plants need

I dont see why youd want to use the diatom filter or a micron filter unless you have continuous sediment and clouding problems which you havent mentioned-

If you want actual better filtration, I would just add another canister filter personally.

Ideally, what I'd want to do to promote the most river like environment is have both intake hoses on the left side and both out puts on the right, one top one bottom to make a continual current in one direction.

You dont have to add another really good eheim- the one you have is quite good. You could just add a 2217 (which is quite affordable) as your second unit that is what i suggest

Your media choices are just fine- just dont bother with carbon

[angelfish83]

Dont use carbon in your planted tank. You will take away some of the nutrients your plants need

I dont see why youd want to use the diatom filter or a micron filter unless you have continuous sediment and clouding problems which you havent mentioned-

If you want actual better filtration, I would just add another canister filter personally.

Ideally, what I'd want to do to promote the most river like environment is have both intake hoses on the left side and both out puts on the right, one top one bottom to make a continual current in one direction.

You dont have to add another really good eheim- the one you have is quite good. You could just add a 2217 (which is quite affordable) as your second unit that is what i suggest

Your media choices are just fine- just dont bother with carbon

hangon a sec- 20xx isn't that Aquaball?? Cuzz thats not enough filtration

[Trapper_seven]

You might be thinking of the Eheim 2206 which is a aquaball. The 2026 is a professional II canister filter and should be good to 90 gallons. I had bought this filter prior to getting the tank, and was going to put it on a 4' 75 gallon tank. The LFS then put to 4' 90 gallon tank on sale as a package, so it ended up cheaper buying the bigger tank. Had I known I was going to get the 90 gallon at first, I probably would have elected for a Eheim 2028 instead.

[angelfish83]

yup youre right- so ya thats a very good filter you have. I might still add the second canister just because loaches really do appreciate one directional reasonable current if you can provide it

[NancyD]

I used to have a diatom XL , a real PITA to set up. I'm not sure it's similar to the freedom. I've also read the magnums clog fast. I'd skip the carbon too unless you need it for something specific. An AquaClear HOB would be inexpensive but another eheim with interchangable parts sounds nice. I've read good things about Rena filsters canisters too.
Nancy

[pedzola]

UV Sterilizer really helped my tank.

Maybe somethin to think of.

Althought a 2026 alone sounds a little on the weak end for a 90g tank.

I've got a 2028 on my 75g and sometimes think it's not quite enough. There are definitely dead spots in the tank....

Perhaps add a powerhead in addition to your 2026 to get some extra water movement if you dont' want to spend the $$ for another cannister filter.

[Trapper_seven]

Another canister may be the way to go.

There is some cloudiness in the tank, but I am thinking this may just be part of the tank settling down. It's not too bad, but I'm a boy with a new toy and I want it looking perfect right away, even though I've been doing this long enough to know it wont. The plants have only been in a week, and with a bit of die-off from the initial planting this isn't helping.

The 2026 seems to be doing OK from a biological point of view as my ammonia/nitrite/nitrate appears ok, but from a mechanical point it does seem a bit weak. Thats why I was thinking a once a month run with a diatom filter to take some pressure off of the 2026 and clean the water right up. It would also provide a way to add the activated chatcoal for a short period to remove medications etc if needed. I also have a minor case of Ich i'm treating right now (only the second in 6 years so not too bad there) which I think may have been brought onb by the stress the clowns felt moving into their new bigger home. The Ich is almost gone, but I gather the diatom filters are also good at helping to combat this as the free swimming variety get caught in the diatom filtrer material. The Ich is minor though, right now it's more a case of getting the water nice and clean like I had in my old 33 G tank.

Thanks to all for the advise