View Full Version : Filters, filters, filters
I'm in the mist of having to purchase a filter for my new 420 litres plant aquarium, the problem is with the filter.
Shopkeepers tends to be biased on their products they have in stock or provide better profits but not really providing a helping advise on what's best for you.
There is pros & cons on all available products, such for example;
EHEIM: Strong brand presence for filters but expensive. Have lots of spare parts easily available
Hydor: Italian brand with slightly lower cost compared to EHEIM. Ease of use.
Hagen Fluval: Very similiar to Hydor except for the outlook design (who cares about design is it's competent on the job)
Of course there is more brands to be listed in this list, but end of the day...
My question;
1) What power intake should I take? 1000 litres p/h, 1500 litres p/h?
2) Should i just pay more for the brand?
3) EHEIM, Hagen, Hydor or some mixed brands from China?
Please help
I use a fluval and it is quite nice. But my tank is only 29 gallons (say 120 litres). As for power I woudl aim at around 5-6 times tank volumn turn over per hour. Of course that also depends on how many fish you have, how messy they are, how heavily planted it is. With a heavily planted tank you may wish to use less filtration. Also you may wish to consider adding in some powerheads that will help to keep a decent current and remove any deadspots.
One more thing to consider (sorry to throw more stuff at you) is using more than 1 filter at each end of the tank. Some peopel with large tanks liek to do that.
beviking
11-01-2005, 12:10 PM
I'm not one to pay more $$ for a name, however, in this hobby, it has been my experience (or interpretation of it from others posting here at AC) that it is certainly worth it!
Check out the DIY Forum here at AC. There is certainly enough info there on filters for you to make an informed choice!
Good luck.
420 litres (110G) is a fairly big tank - must be nice....
Eheim I have never used - mainly because of cost. However, MANY users love them.
Hydor - dont know much about. I have heard many people like their heaters - but that is not a filter now is it.
I hate fluval for the life of me. I had one on my 30G. Was great for about the first year. Then the release mechanism started to get hard to get off. The more I kept the filter the harder this thing was to get off. Dont know if they have since redesigned this mechanism or not. I do have VERY hard water - that could have propagated the problem.
What about Frances Rena XP filters. I have two XP2's and I LOVE them. Seems like good quality - easy to use - cheap - offers many output options. SOme do say they are louder than Eheims, but I cant hear them when they are in my stand (of course I am slightly deaf - darn rock music when I was a kid).
As for intake (or turnover), I like to go with the highest available IMO. I belive the Rena XP3 is 1325 liters p/h and the XP2 is 1135 L/p/h.
I HATE paying more for a brand unless I know I will get the use out of that brand name. For example - I WILL buy a Lexus over a Toyota because I will use the extra luxury options on the Lexus. I will not buy Hollister clothing over say Aeropastale (sp?). Spending $60USD on a crappy looking t-shirt is not my cup of tea. Now for filters, I did much research and looked at the spec and decided to replace my Fluval with a Rena - BEST DECISION I MADE in regards to filters.
Good Luck
Aries
Eheim. Why waste money on less than the best? If you are not in the hobby temporarily, they do last for decades. On life cycle costs, they are no doubt the cheapest of my equipment.
Hi Guys,
Thanks for the remarks and comments, finally decided on the EHEIM 2028 as I got it for a bargain...why not?
Anyway, to share with you some filters brands. I used to have a 60G tank using an internal filter and it seems to be the "quietest" internal filters I ever come across, the best part is...it comes with a built-in diffuser (for your CO2, just incase you're wondering). The brand is called Bioplast, unfortunately, it's quite difficult to be found except purchasing it online.
Check it out for those in search for a internal filter.
Eheim is apparently the best--so if money is not an object than I would have to suggest that route. I have never owned one, but I have looked them over and they do seem to be the best canister filter on the market.
That Said:
If money is an object: I don't think you are going to find better Bang-For-Buck than the Rena Filstar xP series (1,2,3) Filters. I own an xP1 and an xP3--I could not be happier with them. I picked up my xP3 online and on sale for less than $100 SHIPPED! Sadly, I paid over $100 at a LFS for my xP1. Oh, well........
Just some Thoughts.......