Filter Question.

[Tranny]

Alright so here I go. I've just started getting into the Hobby pretty heavy now, I started with a 29 Gal set I got for my Bday and it came with a simple Aquatech powered filter. add an insert filter and go kinda thing. My new Uncle in law is getting out of the Hobby and is slowing dropping stuff off at my place and I've started up 2 new tanks (a 10 G. and a 20 G.) however I've been using Under Gravel Filters for them and it seems to be doing better accept for the fact that the tanks require a bit more maintenance on my part. Now here is my question.

What is the advantages and Disadvantages to different types of Filtration.

*powered hang over the top of your tank filters (I have an Emperor 280 now)
*Undergravel filters run by air pumps
*Canister filters (Like Fluval)
*or even Submersable pumps

Thanks to anyone who helps me out in this matter.

 

[Watcher74]

Well I'll tell you what I know about...

Undergravel filters require more maintenance, as you mentioned, and are most often recommended to be modified with reverse flow. That way you can get the benefits of this type of filter (large biological filtration) without the food and other debris being pulled under the substrate.

Hang On the Back filters are greatly recommended by many people but some do have a tendency to be noisy if the tank water is not level with the input of water. Bio-Wheel filters have a tendency to clog if not properly maintained and stop filtering.

Cannister filters are great for having more room for versatility of a filter for many different types of applications. The main problem with these is if it springs a leak, the vast majority of the water in your tank can be lost very rapidly.

Submersible filters can be nice for having a filter completely inside the tank that are easy to remove for cleaning. However, it is often not the most asthetic thing to have a filter cluttering up the tank. It will decrease the amount of total water some as well.

On my old 29 gallon I had both a cannister filter and submersible. Redundancy of filtration in case of one of them dying. But they are all good filters if used properly and really is a personal case of preference.

 

[Remmy]

what about air powered sponge filters?
do they actually work
i'm thinking of making a couple, looks really easy, and they say their ideal for fry tanks

 

[125gJoe]

... ... ....

What is the advantages and Disadvantages to different types of Filtration.
.....

Thanks to anyone who helps me out in this matter.

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Canister filters are the common way to go with a "live planted" aquarium. Canisters provide a "closed" filtration system.
UGF's have plates on the bottom. They will become a problem when plants root into the plates, not to mention the potential of crud build-up under the plates.

 

[blitzen25bm]

what about air powered sponge filters?
do they actually work
i'm thinking of making a couple, looks really easy, and they say their ideal for fry tanks

works good, i made one out of a powerhead and a huge sponge that filtered my entire 60 gallon, they are ugly though.

 

[slipknottin]

submersible pumps are not filters on their own per say. They can be used to draw water through a media that filters it.