Hagen Elite Stingray 15 Underwater Aquarium Filter, 8.5 x 16.5 x 21 cm

Product Information

There are three main types of filtration - mechanical, biological and chemical. While most filters include all three types, it's not a given, and some filters even provide a few extras. Below we'll detail the three main ones to look out for when shopping. The type of filter you choose will significantly impact your tank's overall quality and appearance. Whether you're widely experienced with caring for fish or just starting out, you'll need to select the right style to suit your setup. But if the Stingray works for you, that'd be fine too, but I just find it doesn't give you much room for putting other stuff in there (such as old filter media along side the new or additional filter media). If you're keeping the Stingray, any highly porous sponge would work. For example, I wouldn't use kitchen sponge material since it's too dense and would burn out the motor. If you want to change the filter media, don't switch it out right away. Try to put both media in at the same time to get the bacteria to transfer onto the new media, wait a month or so, then take the old media out.

The blue highlighted area on the map below is where we deliver on our own vehicle! Unfortunately, if you are not in one of these postcode zones we are unable to deliver certain items such as plants, small glass items and selective other products. Mechanical Filtration: This will clean and aerate the tank's water by circulating it through pipes and catching and retaining solid waste in filters. This removes everything from discarded food to decaying plant matter. Sponge Filters: The simplest style of filter consists of a sponge inside the tank and an external pump. However, many shoppers dislike theappearance and opt for other more aesthetically-pleasing filters. These are ideal for smaller tanks as they result in minimal water disturbance thanks to the low air pressure. Like a said, leave the filter media alone until it's falling apart. Companies tell you to change it out every other week so they'd get more business, but it's really not necessary (really, it'd be worse for your aquarium). Most of the beneficial bacteria lives in the filter media and you don't want to throw this away. Here's a good read on the nitrogen cycle and starting aquariums: I'm sorry to tell you this, but 60 litres (15 gallons) is much too small for the angel and flying foxes (Siamese algae eaters), these need at least 30 gallons. Some may also argue that mollies need a minimum of 20 gallons.As for the cages, you could just leave them alone. Like I mentioned earlier, carbon is only used to remove odours and chemicals. While zeolite does aid in removing ammonia, you shouldn't have any ammonia problems to begin with. If the aquarium is cycled (refer to blogs above), than ammonia shouldn't be an issue. Canister Filters: These discreet yet powerful filters are ideal f or larger tanks of 115 litres +. They are kept under the tank inside the aquarium stand, with the suction pipe and return spout placed in the water. However, they are the most expensive and high maintenance style, so they're not ideal for beginners.

You're probably cycled since the tank is secondhand, but I'd still get a liquid test kit (don't get test strips since they're known to be inaccurate), such as the API master test kit, and monitor the toxic ammonia and nitrite levels. They may seem happy now, and the water parameters may be fine now, but I'm assuming that these fish are rather small since the aquarium is only 4 months old. Soon the fish will outgrow the tank.