One recent question that sprung up: I'm wanting a tank that has a hood, preferably well-covered. I've got three cats that'll want to go fishin', plus I'm planning to get a Betta, which I know likes to commit suicide from time to time (lol). But I'm suddenly wondering, how do external filters fit on tanks? They basically hang over the edge, right? Would it fit with a hood over the whole tank, or would I have to find a hood that has at least one spot that's open, enough room for the filter? Would be I better suited to getting an internal filter?

I don't know anyone that has fish, so I'm completely clueless on how this works, lol

How big is the tank your planning on having and is the betta the only fish that's going in?

If it's a small tank that's only going to house a betta then I'd go with an internal filter as it will produce less of a current which is preferable for a betta

I'm not sure what tank I'm getting, though I'm aiming for a 30gal (minimum of 10gal, but it's not really what I want)

Should add that while I want to start with a Betta, I'm considering adding other fish in the future, though I'm still reading up on which would be best (my brain seems firm on zebra danios, but I still have to decide)

This post has been edited by Aussie_Dog: Nov 16 2007, 06:15 PM

All filters have their pros and cons and all can theoretically be used on any sized tank. CFC is currently running a 200 gallon tank on an air powered sponge filter while I have previously had a 10 gallon tank connected up to a two foot trickle tower with a 15 gallon sump.

It all depends on your budget / tank size / stocking and what you'd prefer, externals are visually better because you just have pipework in the tank, wheras internal you have a box inside the tank, Also externals are easier to clean because you can just disconnect the hoses, internals you have to take out the tank, which can be messy(or maybe it's just me who gets soaked despite having a bucket right next to the tank). There are alot more pros & cons such as externals being able to hold more media which means more beneficial bacteria, it really is down to personal choice. As andy said some people run filters that are designed for much larger tanks so their is no definate 'this filter is the right type'(well within reason)

If you would really like to start with a betta how about getting it it's own tank, around the 5G mark? That way you can get another larger tank without worrying about compatabillity with the betta. Some people have succes with bettas in community tanks other's disasters, there's no telling really so I wouldn't take the chance. Either forget the betta or get it it's own tank, esp. because (if I remember rightly) danios & bettas don't mix. If you really do want a betta in a community tank I'd suggest getting something like corys for the bottom & maybe some otos, as they seem to have a higher success rate with bettas. Also bettas like little to no current in the water wheras other fish you might want to add at a later date may benefit from a fast flowing current. Really you wnat to decide what size tank & what fish your going to stock with first as this can determine what type / size filter you get. For example I have a 35G tank with 2 fancy goldfish in it but the filter I'm running is designed for 70G tanks, this is because goldies are very messy, wheras if I had a fish that didn't create much of a bioload, like my cory tank then theoretically I could run a filter that ws designed for a slightly smaller tank(in my case it would be a filter designed for a 20G on a 25G). Most people prefer to overfilter their tanks, this gives them more flexibility on stocking, water changes etc.

Sorry if that's all too much too soon, maybe decide what tank size your getting and what fish you wnat and we can take it from there

HTH

it depends realy on the tank, most aqua one tanks that come with an external filter they slot through the back of it. i have the regency 80 (180l) and its got holes at the back that are not visable when filled and not big enough for a cat to get through, i know because mine cant but also depending on the budget, you can spend £1000 and get every thing fitting necly and easly, or you could spend £200 and have to plan a little bit more. (its not always like this, i've seen some exelent tanks for under £200 that have an external filter and exelent places to "wire" them through), so more exencive is NOT always better, just makes a bigger hole in your pocket.