Pimp My Filter #82 - Sicce Space Eko 200+ Canister Filter

Sicce Space Eko+ 200 Canister Filter: https://geni.us/cIsS9Ht
Filter Kits, Foams, Biohome, Biogravel etc: http://www.filterpro.co.uk
(FilterPro site has links to Biohome suppliers in other countries)
Eheim Mech: https://geni.us/lXrB7 (useful for under trays in filters which work bottom to top)
Eheim Substrat Pro: https://geni.us/98euQaB (decent alternative to Biogravel).
This is a well made filter which has a respectable amount of space inside and even if you choose not to upgrade the filter it is great value.
The Sicce Space Eko+ filter will fit up to 2kg (4 lbs) of Biohome Plus in the top 2 trays making it suitable for a normally stocked tank of up to 200 litres (52 US gallons) or a heavily stocked tanks of up to 100 litres (26 US gallons) assuming you want to achieve a full cycle (natural reduction in Nitrate).
Seachem / Sicce HOB 110 video:    • Pimp My Filter #38 - Seachem Tidal 11...  
Seachem / Sicce HOB 35 video:    • Pimp My Filter #60 - Seachem Tidal 55...  
VERY IMPORTANT:
*Avoid using water conditioners which claim to bind / remove / detoxify ammonia, nitrite and nitrate as it will have a pronounced starving effect on the bacteria. When bacteria is starved the population will be low as it grows in line with the available 'food'.
A normal conditioner will allow the bacteria to fully populate the whole system and take away the 'need' to add more bacteria after maintenance / water change.
Most people get conned into regularly using bacteria additives and that is simply to mask the side effects from a damaging conditioner and a failing filter.
A normal conditioner like Tapsafe, Aquasafe, API Stress Coat etc. is all you need when a tank is properly set up, a filter is suitably sized (and properly set up) and Nature is allowed to so what Nature does.*

See below for notes on how much media is recommended for different stocking scenarios. The Q&A page of the FilterPro site has extensive notes on recommended treatments and how filtration works.

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The following videos will be useful for learning more about filtration and filter media:
Sizing a canister properly and filter set up: https://goo.gl/om19un
Looking INSIDE different filter media: https://goo.gl/hZWS6c
Bacteria and filter media: https://goo.gl/123gAF
How to clean an aquarium: https://goo.gl/bPMhvh
Aquarium tips / filtration playlist: https://goo.gl/pXgqVj

A full cycle is completed by bacteria - the aerobic part of biological filtration which processes ammonia to nitrite and nitrite to nitrate followed by an anaerobic part which processes nitrate into soluble nitrogen which bubbles off to the atmosphere.
Therefore it requires a suitable amount of excellent quality filter media to be able to provide the environment for both aerobic AND anaerobic bacteria - that is what Biohome filter media does perfectly but even with such good media there are limitations and we recommend the following amounts for different stocking scenarios:
(1 US Gallon = 3.8 litres)
(1kg = 2.2 lbs)
Average community tropical aquarium = 1kg per 100 litres
Average coldwater aquarium = 1kg - 1.5kg per 100 litres
Predator aquarium = 1.5kg - 2kg per 100 litres
Large cichlid aquarium = 1.5kg - 2kg per 100 litres
Malawi / Tanganyikan aquarium = 1.5kg - 2kg per 100 litres
Marine aquarium = 1.5kg - 2kg per 100 litres
Average mixed fish pond = 1kg per 200 litres
Average koi pond = 1kg per 150 litres

You may be disagreeing with the above figures but remember that they are for a FULL CYCLE not half a job - achieving 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite is quite easy since aerobic bacteria grows freely on any surface but the anaerobic bacteria responsible for COMPLETING the cycle needs more a specialized habitat.
Remember to use a water conditioner which does not bind / detoxify ammonia, nitrite or nitrate as that type of conditioner will severely limit bacteria numbers by starving the bacteria of 'food'.
Size a filter properly, set it up sensibly and you will have perfect water - it's that simple....and your filter won't be the dreaded 'Nitrate factory'.....you'll spend less money on treatments too......basically the filter is the foundation of a successful aquarium.

This series of videos is all about trying to squeeze more efficiency out of internal and external aquarium filters.

We all are on a long path of learning.........

RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS ON AMAZON: https://goo.gl/jMaBWy
INSTAGRAM:   / pondguru_outdoors  
Some of the links above may be to my affiliate programs on Amazon and Ebay so they will throw a few pennies my way if you make a purchase - it costs you nothing extra and helps towards keeping the lights on in my bunker.