eeekk my filter died what should i do/buy??

[wulfin]

I have a 10 gallon which had an internal filter in it until it broke yesterday Last week I was given a really powerful air pump and I seem to remember being told that you can get filters that are run by airpumps? Are these any good? Should I just go for another internal pump..if so does any one have a suggestion for a good(CHEAP) one? Also should I leave my old filter sponge in or eill the bacteria just die with out good aeration?

I have asked about these before but that was pre board clean up and the response has gone

Thanks in advance

[beviking]

Yes you can get filters run by airpumps. I don't know how well they work though. I would leave the old sponge in there, it may not work as effectively, but it will allow the bacteria on it to work away at ammonia/nitrite. Some bacteria internally may die, but you're still better off leaving it in there. If there is no circulation in the tank, run an air pump or something to encourage gas exchange at the surface.
Sorry, can't help on the getting a cheap internal. Good luck!

[NJ Devils Fan]

I would recommend just going to the store and getting a Penguin 125 filter. Very easy to use.

[firetank]

http://www.aquatics-online.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Clear_Jet_Internal_Power_Filters_ 225.html

they do cheap internal power filters similar to the fluval + range.

id get a power over a sponge as youll get more throughput of water, and a greater current for circulation.

hth

[BluEyes]

I'll put in a vote for Aquaclear filters. They're very easy to maintain, and since they have sponges as opposed to filter cartriges, you can simply 'rinse and reuse' - saves alot of money in upkeep over the long run.

[VoodooChild]

I'll second that AC vote. They can hold everything you'll ever need and push a good amount of water too. I've used the in tank filters (air driven) before, and they nice providing that there isn't too much of a bioload, but I'd supplement the tank with a HOB filter too. Good fry filters in my opinion though.

[NJ Devils Fan]

BluEyes, you can still put sponges into a penguin. All you do is cut them. You can put sponges into all power filters, not just the special cartridges.

[Harry Tolen]

Air driven filters are surprisingly effective and easy to clean. Since it is only a 10 gallon tank, and you already have the air pump, this would be the most inexpensive solution.

Since you are in the UK, the manufacturer that would probably be easiest for you to get hold of would be Tetra. They make a line of air-driven sponge filters that work well; you would be looking for one at the small end of their line, as the larger ones have hardware (lift tubes, etc.) that would be too large for your tank. If you feel the need for more filtration, you can always get a gang valve and run two of them at the same time.

[OrionGirl]

A pair of Sharks would be great for an internal filter. I would go with two, simply because the sponge size is small, so one in a 10 wouldn't be enough.

Another option would be to get a Whisper internal. I'm not a huge fan of these, but if you replace the cartridge with a block of sponge, I think it's an improvement. I have one that's currently just pushing water in a 5 gallon hospital tank, and it's very reliable, and quiet.

Leave the media in the tank, but don't expect much. The bacteria will die off without a good oxygen flow. If you have an air pump, throwing it in will help keep the water moving (aiding the bacteria and keeping dissolved O2 levels up) until you get a replacement.

[BluEyes]

yeah, I did that with a eclipse tank - glued two cartridges together, and did some cutting. Took half an AC200 foam piece. I coulda fit the entire piece, but I wanted to leave some room for other filter media...
I think making a place to hold a sponge is the single best thing to do to a Penguin, but they still don't have the media volume and versatility that an AC has.
I can put in two foam blocks, and still have room for a bag of whatever I want. I'm also sure it has good water flow through the media when the box is stuffed full because AC firts routes the water underneath the media, then up through it. Stuff the box full on a Penguin, and the lower half just won't have any water moving through it (without further modification).

You can also very easily adjust the flowrate on the AC. Even cooler is that when you turn down the flow, it recirculates the water within the filter so the water gets filtered just as much.

I also really hate the impeller design on Penguins/Whisper. Once the little rubber things on the end of the impeller get old and hard, it's a pain to get that assembley put back together right. Having the spindle fixed in the motor like AC does is much easier for filter maintenance.
You can also easily adjust the length of the intake tube - they just press together (and you can get extra pieces for really deep tanks) as opposed to penguins one-piece design.

Don't get me wrong - Penguins are fine filters, but I just preferr the versatility and utility that AquaClear gives you for basically the same price.

[VoodooChild]

He has seen the light.

[wulfin]

Thanks alot for the quick replies:) I'll read em again tomorrow and then go shopping:)

Thankyou:)

[O-man21]

I would probably get a Wisper 5-15. They come with a start out cartridge and there only about $15. I have one on my goldfish tank, works great. It's a HOB filter, but it does the same hting as a normal whisper, but their smaller. The cartridges that you buy extra for replacements are the size "jounior"

[superstein61]

I would take Harry's advice - a simple air pump powered filter will be your cheapeast option (given that you have the pump) and work very well in your size tank.

I know many others are tied to their HOB (whether its Aquaclears or penguin, etc) filters - but a breeder I buy fish from - who has over 150 tanks - has them all powered by simple air pump driven filters