Review: OASE BioMaster 600

I have been using the OASE BioMaster 600 for almost a year. And guess what? I never needed to bring out the whole filter unit for cleaning or maintenance! Why? Let me jot down some reviews on this filter beast to share with you guys! 😊

My OASE BioMaster 600

First and foremost, the feature that I really love about my OASE BioMaster is the EasyClean pre-filter unit. I wish that canister filters would have this pre-filter function. Cleaning works to the filter is done within 5 minutes now with OASE Biomaster. You just need to turn the filter off, remove the pre-filter from its chamber, bring it to a sink and clean all pre-filter sponges and assemble it back to the filter. Voilà! It is extremely easy and convenient! You don’t even need to prime the filter again to let the filter run. For almost the whole year I only needed to clean that pre-filter without moving the whole filter out of the cabinet and it will go on. In my opinion, that feature alone is tempting enough to any aquarium owner. 😉

My favourite pre-filter part is that big blue "button"on the left. It also works as a prime button, super convenient. 

Another interesting feature about the filter’s design is its foolproof mechanism. It is so well designed and easy to operate that users can hardly assemble / disassemble it wrongly.

 Foolproof locking mechanism

The filter volume is large (i.e. 6.8L), even though its footprint is compact. Thanks to the narrow shape, it can fit in most cabinets nicely without taking up much space. The original media (i.e. plastic Hel-X) and lots of sponge filters that come with OASE BioMaster are however not so impressive to me. I replaced those with other more effective bio-media anyway. By doing so, I can make use of the large volume filter media more effeciently.

Small foot print, yet large in filter volume design.

Filter flowrate is quite decent at 1,250L/hr. However, due to the fine pre-filter sponge (i.e. 45ppi), flow is somehow reduced quicker if pre-filter is clogged. So whenever I see a sign of flow reduction, I know it is time to clean the pre-filter, then after the process everything is like new again. That point is certainly a “give-and-take” and I am willing to trade-off with the ease of maintenance. 

Last but not least, the filter is also very quiet while operating thanks to the rubber dampers at the bottom of filter. When my cabinet is closed, the filter is totally quiet. This characteristic is important to me since my planted tank is the center decoration piece in my living room. 😊

OASE BioMaster 600, one of my most favourite canister filters

Overall, I am very satisfied with OASE BioMaster 600 and this is one of the my favorite canister filters so far. For those who are always procrastinating in maintaining the filter (like me some times), you would love this masterpiece! 😊

Purchase Link of OASE BioMaster 600 on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2yFiilr 

Save Cost for Filter Media

There is a way to save your spending on white sponge filter media.

Previously, I used to spend SGD5 for every 3 pieces of white sponge filter for my Eheim Ecco Pro 3, which I found quite reasonable actually. However, after reading some suggestions from my fellows at Aquatic Quotient Forum, I bought a big pad of Mika white sponge filter media instead. Just with some simple cutting which you can ask your kid for help, you already can save quite an amount money. :)

 

This is Mika filter wool. I bought for SGD6 from Nature Aquarium

Size comparison.

And yes, see how much you can save? :) One big pad of Mika filter wool can be cut to 14+ plus pieces. 

Thickness is about the same

Cloning is in progress. :)

Yup! Just a small thing but if you can save money, why not? 
Happy aquascaping! ^_^

Best Schooling Fish: Platinum Rummynose Tetras

As many new hobbyists, I also wish to have a great shoaling / schooling of fishes in the planted tank. After some research, I decided to have Platinum Rummynose Tetras (Hermigrammus rhodostomus) for my 2ft tank. And that is an excellent choice! The rummynoses were really discipline in moving as a school, especially when they were first introduced into the tank. I thought they were a bit stressed but even after a few months keeping them, I still can see that great schooling behaviour.

Platinum Rummynose Tetras are a bit different from the normal Rummynose Tetras since they got very shiny sparkling bodies. The coloration of the "rummy" head and "cross" tail would be getting nicer when they get use to the tank environment.

These guys looked so pale when I first introduced them to the tank 

However, the colouration got much better over time :)

Overall, I am very happy seeing them schooling everyday. You can consider them for the next purchase. ;)

I had a chance to record their schooling in the video below for your reference.

"64.8L Passionately Curious": 24-Hour Timer Plug

I have recently received an order of the 24-hour electric timer plugs that will be used for the CO2 and lighting systems. Those plugs were ordered from Qoo10 with cheaper price compared with market price. 

Three timers were ordered

I test the automatic on/off function and it really works well. Very easy to program and I can't wait to test it on my planted tank. Woo hoo! I am still studying about aquascaping design and also will take some time to choose the suitable rocks and driftwood for my future tank. :)

Updates on 20 Nov 2019: Those electric timer were quite good at the beginning. However, it would not last for so long and got some malfunction after sometimes. I have then changed to all wifi smart plugs to all my planted tanks and quite happy with the wifi smart plugs due to the reasonable price and stable in operation.