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I got three 20 gal long tank (30"x12"x12") & will be using a H.O.T. Magnum canister hanging filters for filtering & aeriation. Instead of carbon, I will use bio-media in the canister. In addition, I will add a corner sponge filter to each tank. It will be set at one end of the tank, to create a river-effect. Question is,...this is rated at 250 gph, which means it will turn the tank 12.5 times/hour. Is this too much current?

Thanks. Dan

It should not be. My preference for hot mag loading is their micron cart.

TwoTankAmin wrote:It should not be. My preference for hot mag loading is their micron cart.

I like the micron for polishing, but I'm going to leave these canisters permanently. It might be easier to clean the canister loaded with media without killing the bacteria....humm I might have to buy a 4th Hot Magnum just for polishing. I could assign one specific micron cartridge per tank, so as not to transfer any nasties between tanks...

Dan- I run 2 HOTs full time and both are loaded with the microns. They are not the sole filters on the tanks on which they run. I would note that both have large prefilter sponges over the intake which provide some bio media for them.

12.5 times per hour is fine...I was running mine at over 30+ times an hour at one point with no problems at all, zebs loved it.

Thank you guys for the input. Love the idea of sponge on the intake....why didn't I think about that?

By the way, I do 15% daily water changes on each tank. As a discus-man, I'm used to it....can't hurt the zebras either.

I am with the others the flow is appreciated by the zebras from what I see.


I have a little over 30x turnover rate in my 20g long

mine turns over about 19 times an hour, with no problems