Hi-Q Zero Water Change System Review

[HiQ]

  Unnecessary addition to cost and botheration.

Actually we have found that our system is very popular amongst places that used to have people come in and do maintenance on their tanks.
The average cost is somewhere around $60 per hour.

Also recently I got a phone call from someone who works in a nursing home's recreation center asking to order more supplies. He said they used to have a tank and everyone loved it but the maintenance was to much for anyone over there to have time to do and the fish began to die. They couldn't afford to have anyone come and do maintenance with the budget they have and said our filter system was perfect for them.

Thanks,

Luke

[Lori]

Luke, thanks for stopping in to answer questions. 

My largest planted tank is a 30g, smallest is 2.5 g and I have a few 6's and 10s that are also planted.  My largest non-planted tank is a 60g.

[HiQ]

Here is a link to the installation video in case everyone wants to see how the system is installed.
http://hiq-usa.com/installation.asp


Thanks,

Luke

[Aiptasia]

latest test results:

Ammonia = 0
NitrIte = 0
NitrAte = 10-20 ppm
Total Hardness (GH)= 150 ppm
Alkalinity = 80 ppm
Ph = 7.2

[Aiptasia]

Another update on the xiphophorous tank:

Ammonia: 0
NitrIte: 0
NitrAte: 10 ppm

Total hardness: 150 ppm
Alkalinity: 60 ppm
pH: 7.0

[wendyjo]

Woot!  Can you update when you set the tank up and if you've done any water changes?

[helenf]

It does look like a good product.  Wish it were available here in Australia.

I'd like to see a comparison between two tanks set up with the same stock and the same feeding, but one with this filter system and the other with a standard power filter. 

[Paleo Fish]

Hm the pH seems to be dropping? Any updates on the tank?

[GroupieKilla4eva]

How much does this system cost???

[Aiptasia]

Pricing and more info here: http://www.hiq-usa.com/

At last check, the pH was the same. I have done a water change on it to balance out the nutrient levels.

As I see it, here are the pros:

Allows you to extend the time period between water changes dramatically. It appears to work as advertised for that. This is a benefit to people that hate to do water changes. It keeps the water very clean and pristine. The HOB portion of it is made well and very quiet.

The drawbacks:

It's really meant for large tanks 40 gallons and over. It's unsightly with the two black monolithic reverse flow towers in each corner plus the HOB filter. The assembly of the UGF is a PITA initially but you only have to do it once. The additives are delivered to the tank weekly, meaning that you'd have to purchase the additional suppliments on an ongoing basis. Since there's no way to tweak the individual suppliments, a water change must be performed at some point to restore some sort of equilibrium to the system if any individual nutrient reaches overload (especially in a saltwater setup). The power cost is greater because of the two additional reverse flow powerheads. The reverse flow towers do not break down for cleaning, or at least I can't find a way to open them up.

IMHO where they could be most useful: In berlin style saltwater reef tank setups to support NitrAte reduction.