which internal cannister filter?

[Dahlia]

I need to buy internal filters for the two 55 gallon tanks I'm getting for Christmas. I plan to do planted tanks and the stand is a double stand so there is no cabinet for a cannister. I prefer cannisters to HOBs so I was wondering what kind of internal cannisters people recommend? I especially would like one that lets me choose the media, so far the internal filters I have found just take sponges.

[RTR]

I only use internals for mechanical filtration so the sponges are fine for me. They can be used as biofilters as well, with a bit more cautious handling during rinses (use removed tank water for rinses, etc.).

My current favorites are the currently being discontinued Eheim internals, and I have not tested the newer Eheim Aquaballs as yet. Prior favorites were the old (not current production) Fluval 2s, but they are less versatile.

[JSchmidt]

I've got one of the new Eheim Aquaballs, and it blows chunks. I wouldn't take another if it were given to me. It's a pain to clean. Not in the same class as the old Eheim internals.

I don't know what would be a good choice. I currently run a number of powerheads with a variety of sponge filters over the intakes, but that sounds a bit more single-purpose than what you're looking for.

If you find something good, let us know...

Jim

[Philbe]

I just picked up a Fluval 2 as an add on internal for my 29gal. It has an adjustable flow thingy on the bottom so you can tame the output. There is also a few differant media pads to put inside and so far it's a snap to clean and it makes no noise.

[Dahlia]

Do you think in heavily planted tanks with regular water changes that I need more than just sponge type filtration (using it as biofiltration as well)? Could I run the fluval or something without much trouble here? I have a fluval 4plus in my 30 gallon that is easy to handle but it only takes sponges. I usually like to at least have ceramic rings or something in addition to this. However, I only use mechanical/biological filtration as it is. I never use chemical filtration except when I need to remove something specific such as a medication. Gonna keep looking for a multi-media internal cannister, but I am starting to lose hope.

[JSchmidt]

In a heavily planted tank, especially if you don't overstock, a powerhead/sponge combo should be fine. The sponge will become home to the bacteria that oxidize ammonia, and if you take care when rinsing it, as RTR suggested, you'll have a site for biological filtration. Just rinse the sponge in tank water or dechlorinated water and you'll be fine.

If the tank is heavily planted, however, I'd not worry too much about it.

Jim

[Dahlia]

I've never used powerheads with sponges, are they pretty self-explanatory once you buy them? Do you buy the powerhead and then purchase ready made sponge filter attachments or is it DIY?

[RTR]

I have used just internals for both bio and mech in heavily planted tanks w/o problems. But I do prefer bio-only external and pure mech internal - then my sponge changing and rinsing is production line work: kill power to the powerstrip w/all the filterson that unit, Python water out of the tank, pop out the sponges to the designated "dirty" bucket, replace with cleans from the "clean" bucket while the water is running back into the tank, once the tank is full, restore power with one switch, move to the next tank on that day's schedule and repeat. At end of that session, stow Python after refilling reservoirs, rinse all the dirty sponges and line them up to dry for the next session.

By using standarized internals (Fluval 2 or Eheim - several sizes there) and prefilters (FilterMaxIII) for the externals, having spares is not that big a deal, and as they are mech only, I have no worries about preserving bacteria. When you go seriously multi-tank, such considerations do matter a lot. If I had multple brands individualized per tank, I could not do all the routine upkeep in the 1-2 hours per day I alot for chores.

Powerhead/sponge combos are available branded (both elements from the same manufacturer - therefore simplest) or DIY. They work, but are IMHO even uglier and more difficult to screen than internals.

[Dahlia]

If you find something good, let us know...
I don't know that this qualifies as GOOD, but I did find an internal filter that lets you choose the media. You can also insert your water heater inside the filter which is supposed to be more efficient. I decided I wasn't interested due to the size of the filter (it definitely takes up a lot of room inside the tank) but if anyone else is curious check out the Sera Internal Biofilter (http://www.sera.de/English/autoframe.htm?url=http://www.sera.de/English/News/Archive-Internal_biofilter_B200-B400.htm)