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/BGo2OIt 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/Q4AI37tAll Pond Solutions HOB-500 upgrade video:
https://bit.ly/3gUXlWbSeachem Tidal 55 HOB filter (Amazon):
https://geni.us/9fEuQSeachem Tidal 55 upgrade video:
https://bit.ly/3I36ismThe 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/TBBKDhzOase Biomaster 600 upgrade video:
https://bit.ly/3sORlnEOase Biomaster 850 canister filter (Amazon):
https://geni.us/Yzrg3UGOase Biomaster 850 upgrade video:
https://bit.ly/3oXvKYQThe 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/om19unLooking INSIDE different filter media:
https://goo.gl/hZWS6cBacteria and filter media:
https://goo.gl/123gAFHow to clean an aquarium:
https://goo.gl/bPMhvhAquarium tips / filtration playlist:
https://goo.gl/pXgqVjA 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
...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYVAWVNaPCQ