filters

[Dangerdoll]

I would've also split that list differently being that the bio-wheel isn't really a filter, but a filter feature..... I know it goes for HOB's....... so, that being said, I would've split the list into UGF / HOB / Cannister.

 

[Harlock]

I have two penguin 125s with Bio-wheels. great little filter. Always restart after I power them down and on again. Having said that, when I get a larger aquarium (90-120 gallon) I am definitely going with canister filters. I want to plant heavily and with a tank that big I want to use pressurized CO2 and the canister filter. Also, UGFs don't produce nitrites. That's just an absurd statement. Poor maintenance causes high nitrites.

 

[Watcher74]

I bought an Eheim 2128 Pro II Canister Thermofilter for my 55 gallon that I am setting up.

Talk about pricey, ~$330 USD from Big Als. You could expect to pay around $600 in a LFS for one.

But man, what an awesome filter!

 

[Marc999]

This poll is not very reliable as my hang on the back includes a biowheel. I'll select both then .

 

[Web Gazelle]

Also, UGFs don't produce nitrites. That's just an absurd statement. Poor maintenance causes high nitrites.

I have to agree with this. UGF's do a fine job and don't produce nitrates or nitrites. Lack of regular cleaning causes nitrates.

 

[CaptnDan]

any size will work..............They are an external sealed "pail" with media in them (work great)...........have a look
http://www.bigalsonline.ca/catalog/category.xml?pcid1=2885;category_id=1711

I followed that link, and it made me feel pretty darned good about the Fluval 404 I bought today... I got it from a LFS and paid less than the price on the web page - and no shipping.

I have used HOB's all along, but I decided to switch to the Fluval 404 to handle my 55g.

 

[Raskolnikov]

CaptnDan,

The link that you quoted is for the Big Al's *CANADA* (.ca) site. They are charging $92.99 USD for the Fluval 404 w/ media.

I tried to show this in my earlier post to this thread when the creator balked at the prices.

 

[daveedka]

I couldn't really vote with the options given, I have never used cannisters simply because I found other options just as good (maybe better)for less money, back when I couldn't afford cannisters. I will be trying a couple out on my next tank though.
As for my preferences, I never run one filter only, and usually always have a UGF and an HOB with a biowheel (emporer or penguin) so as you can see it's hard to answer your poll. I do run a few HOB's without bio-wheels, but wasn't fond of them until recently when I started into the world of planted tanks.
Dave

 

[nativelady76]

sorry i didnt add the canister filters out there but i didnt even know that they were out there but from the sound of things or the look for that matter it seems most people really dont like the ugf's ...what reasons if you could tell me what is so bad about this kind of filter that i should not get one of these?

 

[Harlock]

sorry i didnt add the canister filters out there but i didnt even know that they were out there but from the sound of things or the look for that matter it seems most people really dont like the ugf's ...what reasons if you could tell me what is so bad about this kind of filter that i should not get one of these?

Thy are harder to maintain and most people do not clean them properly. Also, as cheap as power filters are these days, comparatively speaking to a UGF+powerhead, you may as well get a filter that is much easier to maintain and still does a bang-up job of cleaning the water. And, if you have the money, canister filters are even better, especially in a planted tank. Of course, depending on the job you need done different filters will fill the bill. For instance, I wouldn't use a power filter or canister on a fry/growout tank. May as well use a sponge filter for that. Same for a quarantine tank. Different tanks have different filtration needs. If you are happy with a UGF, by all means, use one. I have used UGFs in the past and found that they work very effectively. I had no problems with mine. Of course, now, having used power filters, I wouldn't likely switch back. Maybe an RF-UGF if I had a certain need... but right now, I don't even ened the reverse flow undergravel, so, meh.