Pimp My Filter #23 - Aquael Ultramax 2000 Canister Filter
Channel: Pondguru
Date: 2019-01-18

Introducing the filter you should have bought for Christmas.....the Aquael Ultramax 2000.
Ultramax 2000 (Ebay UK): https://ebay.to/2CtS830
Ultramax 2000 (Ebay EU): https://ebay.to/2sHb9e5
(Check local fish stores and online retailers)
Biohome filter media: http://www.filterpro.co.uk
While it may not hold as much media as the largest in the Unimax range (700 holds 8kg) the Ultramax still manages to fit 6kg of biohome ultimate into the decent sized filter media trays - and if you're looking to achieve full cycle filtration (0 ammonia, 0 nitrite and 0 or close to 0 nitrate) that makes it suitable for tank sizes as follows:
Normally stocked tropical community tank 600 litres / 158 US gallons
Heavily stocked (e.g. cichlid / goldfish / predator) or marine tank 300 litres / 79 US gallons
Remember, that is the recommended upper limit tank size for a FULL cycle - I've no doubt that it will keep ammonia and nitrite at 0 in much larger tanks but in this series of videos we work towards a full cycle, not half a job.

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 ultimate 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.
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'.

This series of videos is all about trying to improve the filtering capacity of internal and external aquarium filters - 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. 

The following videos will be useful to anyone interested in learning more about filtration, bacteria and making the conditions for your fish as good as possible:
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

Check out my channel for hundreds of videos on a wide range of my hobbies - many of the videos have educational content so if you have enjoyed any give them the thumbs up and share.

This channel is purely a hobby for me so I will never ask viewers to donate money for any of my projects or charge anyone for information - information should be shared freely and I certainly don't consider myself an 'expert' in anything I pursue as a hobby so please do your own research, never accept anything as 'fact', reject anyone claiming to be some sort of authority or 'expert' and make your own minds up about anything you wish to study. 

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

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FILMING EQUIPMENT:
Panasonic HC-VX870 HD camcorder http://geni.us/3UwE
+Rode stereo microphone: http://geni.us/4OL
+Rode 'deadcat' mic cover: http://geni.us/1pmn
JVC Everio quad proof HD camcorder: http://geni.us/e09e
+Rode 'deadcat' mic cover (opened up and held between tripod and camera base) http://geni.us/dee24
Zomei Z666 tripod: http://geni.us/1a1af3
Manfrotto MTPIXI-B PIXI mini tripod: http://geni.us/87f7

If you've enjoyed this video please check out the playlists on my channel for hundreds more  - on a variety of subjects.
Feel free to share or link any of my videos on facebook, twitter, forums etc. for the benefit of anyone you think may also enjoy watching.
See you next time.
Pondguru