What kind of filter do you use?

[Lostchemist]

I was wondering what kind of filters are the best for a planted tank. I was looking at a HOT Pro System (magnum canister filter and bio-wheel pro 30) that is made by Marineland. Which would be used on a 30 gal tank that i will be getting shortly. Is this a good choice or are there better models out there?:confused:

[Cearbhaill]

With a planted tank you don't want the surface agitation that biowheels and most HOT filters provide. The Magnum cannister without biowheels would work fine.
I'm running an Eheim 2026- and just ordered a 2028 to upgrade.

[RTR]

I use internal and external canisters for control of current and reduction of surface agitation.

[Slappy*McFish]

Eheim canisters for the most part..though I do have a HOB on my 10g tank. For raising fry, I almost always have used internal sponge filters, however. Even though I have run tanks without filtration at all before. These tanks were used mainly in raising gourami fry.

[superjohnny]

Another vote for canister filters... They're quiet, require less maintenance, and (generally) offer better filtration. It's only money, right?

[Lostchemist]

Now the thing is that the tank size is only 30 gallons. What about the Eheim ECCO? How do those fair in the world out there? Better or worse than the HOT by marine land?
The 2231 is for tanks up to 35 gal, in my range, and it has all the stuff, bio, mechanical, and chemical filtration. Or should i bump up to Eheime Plus 2213-37?

WHat would be the right gph for a 30 planted tank, I heard it was the tanks volume cycled 3 times an hour. Is this right?

Does one really need chemical filtration, i have heard that the plants do most of that?

Im new to the planted tank idea. I have a 5.5 gal right now to see if i like it or not.

Also is there a way to incorporate C02 into this filter?
If not i was going to use a Hagen C02 natural plant system.

[DIYMatt]

IMO- the HOT and Eheim type canisters are apples and oranges. I think the Magnums are really only good for mechanical filtration, but very good at that. IME mags get a little noisy after a couple of years. Also, beacuse of the high water flow and relatively small media compartment, they clog much faster than other canisters, requiring frequent maintenance. Also, its a big, unsightly unit to be hanging on the back of a tank. I owned an Ecco about 4 years ago and I broke it. My fault, but I have done similar things to my Rena Filstar filters, with no damage. IMO - I think you will be happier long term with either the Eheim or a Rena. Rena's have a few more features for less money IMO, but Eheims have had an excellent reputation for many years.

As far as chemical filtration, I only use it when I need to remove medication from the water, which is rare. Another reason why the Eheim-type canisters are superior, you can always just add a mesh bag with carbon to the filter media as is. Mags only do one thing at a time. Also, chemical filtration can possibly mess with the micronutrients you are buying to feed to the plants.

Adding Co2?- yes you can use either filter as a co2 diffuser. But, thats a seperate post from this one.

[Lostchemist]

The ECCO by Eheim, is that just filter pads?

I think im going to go with Eheim Plus, its rated for tanks up to 66 gal. WHich shouldnt be to bad in a 30 (i hope) i think im going to go with it because i can customize the filter media.

Does Eheim include all the parts needed for instilation or just the canister?

[DIYMatt]

Hmmm. I was not familar with the Eheim plus, I looked at model 2217. But, in looking at them on Eheims website and Bigalsonline, I still have a couple questions you may want to consider or have someone else answer.

1. Is the media just dumped into the canister? If it is, remember you will have to do maintenance sometime and possibly change media types. That would be one big mess to get out and keep seperate to put back in the canister.

2. Are there shutoffs and disconnects for the tubing? They don't look like it to me. Do you have unclip the metal clips to take the filter out to do maintenance? Or else take all the tubing with you? Seems strange.

Someone is going to have to explain why these filters are so well regarded again. Check out this filter and all its features:
http://www.pet-expo.com/cgi-bin/fullpres.exe?PARTNUM=AP720

note the seperate media "baskets", and one peice disconnect and water shutoff handle, and you have lots of install options. Heres a review that can only find the con that it is new on the market.
http://saltaquarium.about.com/library/weekly/pr/aaprrenafilstarcanister.htm

I don't want to start any arguements, but I hate it when I buy things that are a hassle to maintain and are expensive. Let me know what you find out.

[Lazonby]

A Marineland HOT is an excellent filter for a tank no larger than 30g's. The first and foremost advantage is price. For what it does at it's $40 BigAl's price, it's one heck of a deal and very hard to pass up. I've been using one for over 2 years and it's still perculating.

Pros: Micron filtering, easy to maintain (albeit a bit more often than a true cannister), flexible, works well as a CO2 reactor, can hook up a gravel cleaner, CHEAP!

Cons: Clogs up too fast*, it hangs on the back of the tank, no spraybar, it's picky about how you seal the cannister to keep it from making noise**.

* You can take preventative measures, like using your own filter floss to wrap the media basket and wrapping the intake strainer with floss.

**You must remove all the air to keep it from making noise--this involves sealing the top with the water line at the top. When you close it, it will drip (ok, pour) water from the top. Oh well, put a towel below it and wipe it off. Remember you only paid $40.

Eheim cannisters like their old series and the ProII's are like the cadillac's of cannisters. They are expensive, but worth every penny. They are thought of as a long term invesment, as you will know where your money went when you a) never hear it running, b) rarely do maintenance, c) run CO2 through it and it doesn't make a sound, d) can keep a massive bio-filter stable for years, e) just plain forget it's there, but you just know that something is filtering your tank and they you say to yourself, "Ahh yes, I have an Eheim."

[125gJoe]

Originally posted by Lostchemist
I was wondering what kind of filters are the best for a planted tank. And another vote for canister filters. I use a Filstar xP-3 and a Fluval 404. I prefer the Filstar xP-3.

[anonapersona]

I just moved my 2213 from a 20H to a 59 gallon tank. The whisper I was running with it since the 20 was so terribly overstocked, died sometine this week, thank God for redundant filtration!

Anyhow, I set up the Eheim, and I have to open the cabinet and touch it to be sure it is going! I can see the faint circulation in the tank, but it is totally silent.

Not bad for a garage sale filter, $5( no media, no o ring and no inlet cage). I bought some black foam from Big Al's and cut out a prefilter to replace the inlet cage, a bit prettier than the ones they sell from eheim and a lot cheaper.