Pimp My Filer #63 - Marina i110 Internal Filter

The FilterPro site has links to other distributors around the world (flags are links).
The Marina i110 filter is a very simple internal aquarium filter which can be bought for a reasonable price (see above link).
It is easy to upgrade and is well made - it seems to be available Worldwide so hopefully this upgrade video will be useful for you if you own one of these filters.

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'.....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:
07772848730 (Richard)
I don't do texts.

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.

[pondguru]

The FilterPro site has links to other distributors around the world (flags are links).
The Marina i110 filter is a very simple internal aquarium filter which can be bought for a reasonable price (see above link).
It is easy to upgrade and is well made - it seems to be available Worldwide so hopefully this upgrade video will be useful for you if you own one of these filters.

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 spend less money on treatments 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:
07772848730 (Richard)
I don't do texts.

[AquaPeet]

I really LOVE this series! Thank you so much for keep doing these; it's so bloody interesting to see you fiddle around and see what you can do to improve ANY kind of filter.
Biohome rocks! I mean, sintered glass!

[MattysWeirdUploads]

it's very rare to find the exact video I need, but this is one of them. thanks for the info :)

[bekt]

I'm so happy to have found this video. Not only was it well presented but it's given me some much needed answers. I have one of these filters and have hated using the filter media it came with (especially because it's so difficult for me to find replacements), I never felt like it was going to do the job properly because it felt there was so much missing (especially with that ridiculous plastic grid). I can't wait to pimp mine now, it's going to save me so much money and help maintain my water so much better!

[jojocool]

Excellent. Fantastic info. I just got a pre owned one with tank and was a bit dissapointed But now I can 'Pimp it up', ,,, Chuffed to bits with it.. Thanks.. x

[Wishbonethewhippet]

I have 2 of these for temporary fry & quarantine tanks. I 'pimped' them the same way & they've done me proud over the last year, plus i paid £9.99 from Lidl, doesnt get much better than that

[raydavies]

Hi I want to say a massive thank you as I just came across this video and it was really helpful. I have the Marina i160 which has 2 cartridges and is expensive to run, so I took your idea and tweaked it a bit to make it work and thank you

[johncataldo]

Thanks for the video I will use this similar setup to install the bio media. I'm using ceramic rings as they will then be upgraded into a larger filter.. This filter is currently in a 70L t tank with 4 goldies.

[smack]

I packed mine with a bag of Zeolite and laterite, cut the filter cartridge in half and filled it with carbon, zip tied em up and slid em into the filter. Slows down quite a bit and will be about 30-40l max..

[coupedeville]

How often should I be changing out the media/foams?

[curleypussycat]

OMG! I’ve had the smaller i160 for ages and constantly having to change the slide in pads. Such a simpler way to sort this bloody filter of mine. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[MARKReviews]

Great video, Love these pimp my filter videos! :)

[ScottPC]

I had one of these for fry, I added a bunch of media with some course sponge and it ran perfectly. Really not bad for micro aquariums.

[simonhoare]

The inner can come out of the outer casing to easyer apply the pimped foams and u can then get to the moter and clean the fan

[pjanoo]

I never use cartridges, I just use these and fill with ceramic rings and polyfill

[chrischard]

Great vid, thanks for taking the time to share! How often would you need to remove the media and take out the sponges to clean? Do you ever need to replace the filter media or just clean/replace sponges as needed?

[hakman]

There’s no way that will do 100ltrs more like 40l

[AQUAGUYUK]

Lol well thought this would be a challenge 🙃

[mattyraby]

I would like to do this with my sons marina i25 but the tanks been up and running 2 months is there anyway of keeping the good bacteria that's on the cartridge and transferring it onto the new media?? Thanks

[beeng]

Loved this videoo!!! Can u do more internal filters? I purchased Interpret pf3 and pf1 in the start of my hobby which I stopped using once I bought tidal 55 and all pond solution canister filter. Now I have 2 internal filter which I want to use efficiently for hospital tank but find it a bit tricky.