The Great Big Filter Thread

[BranchScape]

For the Oase I had to clean the impeller monthly once it got to about a year old which is insane. It gets worse over time mainly as I think the mature filter generates more beneficial biofilm for waste processing. Air burping you need to shake it to clear air bubbles out and that takes 10 minutes then you need to have very tight pipe connections. Using silicone hoses seemed to limit new air coming in.. The disconnect for the in/outflow needs to be babied or it will leak. My one glowing review is its prefilter is super easy to clean with less splashing than Aquael where the pressure always means some water splashing, not a lot but some and the canisters are big so moving them to dry it is annoying.

 

[CincyScaper]

I assume you had impeller hum noise, did you also have burping?

I used to before, but now I routinely shake the canister in all directions after pre filter clean up and that fixed it. As I was deep cleaning the filter, I can see how the rubber valve ring in the prefilter will need to be changed occasionally.

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

As far as I know, you have experience with both Netlea G2 and Netlea G1, is it worth buying Netlea G2? I'm choosing it now, but it's more expensive, and delivery will take longer. At the same time, the advantages are only a large area and, as a result, less frequent maintenance. Thanks for the reply.

Yeah I've used both, and still have both! The sponges and the capacity on the G2 means that you'll end up cleaning them far less, but they are bulkier and heavier to remove and bring to your sink. For smaller tanks, I think that the G1 is genuinely a great option, too, I'm just worried that if you don't buy a few extra replacement sponges now for it (just in case) that Netlea will stop supporting/making G1 parts/sponges, focusing only on the G2.

But yeah, they're functionally the same in almost every way.

 

[JayP]

Yep, the biomasters just get worse and worse over time. My first 600 worked great for over 6 months but then the issues started with it and no matter how much I clean it now, it just doesn't perform the same. I've completely taken others down to every gasket and replaced all foam and they work OK for a couple months, but eventually start having problems. Then there are the ones that work poorly right out of the gate. Just too many o-rings/gaskets.

 

[G1rt]

Yeah I've used both, and still have both! The sponges and the capacity on the G2 means that you'll end up cleaning them far less, but they are bulkier and heavier to remove and bring to your sink. For smaller tanks, I think that the G1 is genuinely a great option, too, I'm just worried that if you don't buy a few extra replacement sponges now for it (just in case) that Netlea will stop supporting/making G1 parts/sponges, focusing only on the G2.

But yeah, they're functionally the same in almost every way.

aliexpress - But I’m not sure that the PPI is the same as what Netlea has.

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

aliexpress - But I’m not sure that the PPI is the same as what Netlea has.

Also, the design of the middle stem of these prefilters means you can also just wrap a pad of filter floss around it and secure it with rubber bands to make your own superfine prefilter mesh, or customize it with whatever material you want to use. Really awesome design, glad to see it catching on for others, too!