Power filters

[Jerm]

What are nice power filters? I want to buy a new one, because mine sucks to put it mildly, and i need one that will actually work because i want to inject my DIY CO2 directly into the filter.

[Jerm]

bumpity bump, any advice?

[Onikun]

I've only used Aquaclear or Marineland and they've been fine so far..

[patoloco]

To my limited understading, injecting CO2 into a HOB power filter might release to the atmosphere too quickly because of the turbulence that exists there.

I've leant that a CO2'ed tank must be pretty calm. If it's too agitated, the CO2 escapes easily. You'd rather inject CO2 to the tank.

My $0.02. Maybe in the plants forum you can find a better opinion than mine.

[you made me ink]

i have a whisper it works great but they arnt the best it works good on lightly stoked tanks like i only have one fish (convict cichilid) in my ten gallon but it keeps the tanks clean but for the 60 gallon im setting up i got a marineland filter ive heard they work really good and so do aquaclear filters remember its also a good idea to overfilter the tank a little IMO but those are pretty good filters

[sardesign]

Jerm,

Why not go cannister? They are quiet and you can inject CO2 right into the cannister.

Another solution is get a cheap powerhead with an air inlet. I do this to inject my CO2 because the powerhead dissolves the CO2 much better than any reactor I've ever built.

[Jerm]

Quiet doesn't matter, everything else for the tank is loud, and it's in our basement outside meh room. Cannisters just cost more :) Know a link for a power filter with an air inlet?

[sardesign]

You can mod almost any power filter to accept a CO2 hose. Powerheads are really cheap though. I use a Maxi Jet 1200. That would be too strong for your tank... but they make smaller ones like the 400 and it's only $10.

[Jerm]

How do i inject it into the filter? :help:

[pbrack]

Maxi jets are powerheads, and they come with an air inlet in the top. Simply modify the tube to take in your CO2 tube, and you're set. It's quite simple.

I would then suggest you buy a canister filter as filtration

Good luck with your setup

EDIT: Sorry, didn't see your previous message! you can just go for a powerhead and powerfilter combo, but the power filter is going to break the water surface, thus losing some CO2. If you're looking into plants, I'd seriously consider cannister filters, since the cost for lighting and substrate is quite a lot, so might as well go with a canister!

[Jerm]

are their cheap canisters? THe only ones i can find cost as much as it does for me to ship 3 bags of floruite to my house.

[sardesign]

I wouldn't buy a "cheap" canister. You'll end up with problems down the road (i.e. dead fish, fouled water, broken parts). I suggest you break the bank and buy a good canister... it will save you big money later on. If you don't want to bother with the canister (although it's a good idea with plants), get the powerhead and keep your cheaper power filter.

P.S. Eheim makes cheaper canister filters. Check out http://www.petsolutions.com/Rena+FilStar+xP1+Canister+Filter-I-17100720-I-C-19-C-.aspx

I heard they are a good canister (although I prefer Eheim) and this one is fairly inexpensive. I don't know how big your tank is, but you will find out quickly that a good canister was well worth the money.

[claytoris]

I would definitely use a marineland pengiun or even better an emporer. Since your tank is planted and you're using C02 I would just fill the tank up to the very top so that the filter wouldn't break the surface of the water. I also know a trick with the pengiuns to reduce filter prices, go to wal-mart and buy the filters for the aqua tech brand filters. they fit perfect in the pengiuns and the are half the price. :thm: _____________

29g- saltwater

Penguin 350 filter
Sea-clone 100 skimmer
Maxijet 1200 powerhead

2x65W power compact with lunar lights

40-lbs live sand
35-lbs live rock
1-small female yellow tang
1-cardinal
2-false clowns
1-saphire damsel

55g-Cichlid

Emporer 400 filter
2 x Powersweep 228 powerhead for undergravel filter

1-8" red devil
1-7" black african knifefish
2-plecos (7"&13")
6-black convicts

20g-long

penguin 200 filter

black convict breeding pair with about 120 fry

[fishpoor]

I like the aquaclear the best. But also use an emperor 400, penguin 150, and whisper 200 (?). They all work, and are a LOT easier to service than the cannister filters.