Pimp My Filter #31 - Ciano CF Stone 80 Internal Filter
Channel: Pondguru
Date: 2019-03-03

The Aquatic Centre on Facebook: https://bit.ly/2BWyqh3
Ciano CF Stone 80 (Ebay UK / EU): https://ebay.to/2ECtXBC
Ciano CF Stone 80 (Amazon): https://geni.us/PKj2hI
Foams and Biohome Ultimate: http://www.filterpro.co.uk
(FilterPro site has links to suppliers in other countries)

Thanks to Gary from The Aquatic Centre at South Shields for sending me this unusual filter to take a look at in the Pimp My Filter video series. Keep an eye out for a give away video featuring this filter.

This is certainly one of the more unusual aquarium filters I have looked at in this series but if you're prepared to get the super glue out it could be one of the best looking - just imagine it covered in coarse sand and / or Java moss....

Although the concept of the filter is good the stock filter media and foams don't really make best use of the space so I managed to get 555g of Biogravel in there as well as graded foams which makes it suitable for a tank of around 50 litres to 60 litres (13 - 16 US gallons) if you want to achieve a full nitrogen cycle.
Like most cartridge based systems the cost of 'official' parts is crazy and a cheap upgrade can easily make the filter more effective as shown in this video.

WHAT IS A FULL CYCLE?
*If someone tells you the aquarium nitrogen cycle ends with the production of nitrate that is incorrect - please read on*
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 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. 

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

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......... 

RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS ON AMAZON: https://goo.gl/jMaBWy
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/pondguru_outdoors/

FILMING EQUIPMENT:
Panasonic HC-VX870 HD camcorder http://geni.us/3UwE
+Rode stereo microphone: http://geni.us/4OL
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