Pimp My Filter #68 - Oase Filtosmart 60 Canister / HOB Filter
Channel: Pondguru
Date: 2022-02-18

There are much better alternatives than this filter available at a fraction of the price - check out some of the recommendations and associated videos below:
Oase Filtosmart 60 (Amazon): https://geni.us/BGo2O
It is now a ridiculous price on Amazon and still has no cradle to hold it on the back of the tank....
All Pond Solutions HOB-500 (Amazon): https://geni.us/Q4AI37t
All Pond Solutions HOB-500 upgrade video: https://bit.ly/3gUXlWb
Seachem Tidal 55 HOB filter (Amazon): https://geni.us/9fEuQ
Seachem Tidal 55 upgrade video: https://bit.ly/3I36ism
The good Oase range of external filters is the Biomaster / Biomaster Thermo filters - if you want a great filter for a medium to large tank then I would recommend those.
Avoid the Filtosmart range.
Oase Biomaster 600 canister filter (Amazon): https://geni.us/TBBKDhz
Oase Biomaster 600 upgrade video: https://bit.ly/3sORlnE
Oase Biomaster 850 canister filter (Amazon): https://geni.us/Yzrg3UG
Oase Biomaster 850 upgrade video: https://bit.ly/3oXvKYQ
The Biomaster filters are in very short supply due to their popularity - if they're sold out it is still worth checking out the reviews for them on Amazon from people who have bought and used them.
Foams, Biohome Ultimate, Biogravel etc: http://www.filterpro.co.uk
(FilterPro site has links to Biohome suppliers in other countries)
Follow me on Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@PondGuru:0
Contact me on 07772848730 / sales@filterpro.co.uk
(I don't do texts)

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 which generally have a limited filtering capacity - If you have a filter you'd like me to feature in a video then please contact me on:
sales@filterpro.co.uk
07772848730 (Richard) 
Anyone who sends a filter (UK only at present) will have it upgraded and returned to them for free and the only cost you will pay is how much it costs to ship it to me - I'm helping to boost your filter and the resulting videos will hopefully be useful to viewers all over the world so it's a win/win. 

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.


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

RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS ON AMAZON: https://goo.gl/jMaBWy
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/pondguru_outdoors/
Follow me on Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@PondGuru:0