Aaarghhhh Please Help

[Petestraw]

Hello everyone.
Over the past couple of months I have become really interested in keeping fish and have been doing all my research, reading everything I can get my hands on. All I have is 50 UK gallon fish tank and I am ready to buy the various other items I need.
I am planning to start a tropical freshwater aquarium with relatively hardy fish to begin with, keeping the surroundings as natural as it possibly could be (obvious really but I have seen some crazy unnatural setups). I am aware of all the beginner areas from the 'fishless cycle to checking water chemistry etc. I have been reading tons of information on Filters and I m really stuck as to which one to get, some swear by under gravel filters whilst others say they are rubbish, some say get a bio wheel, it really hard to decide which is the best one. I understand that the biological filter is essential.
I am really stuck, I don't wanna rush in and buy everything right away and find I have no idea of the best things on the market.

Could you guys please give some advice as to which is the best filter and which one I should buy. Maybe tell me your setup

Thanks

 

[minxfishy]

For a 50g tank, I would be getting an external filter, far better than internal, UGF (no idea about biowheels). Externals hold more media in them, usually have a greater tank turnover, take up no space in the tank, easier to maintain etc. They do however, need to be run 'under' the tank, so if your using the tank on a work surface for instance, you cant stand the filter next to it, as it needs to be below the tank.

Eheim are considered one of the best makes of filters, but tetratec, fluval, rena are all good makes too.

Are you buying all the pieces seperately, ie, tank, filter, heater or are you thinking about a package deal?

 

[chesterscot]

if you want to keep live plants i wouldnt have an undergravel imo
scot

 

[Petestraw]

Thank you guys

I haven't really made my mind up about either a package deal or buying items individually. I think probably individually. Thank I will take a look at those external filters, I have a cupboard stand for my tank which will ideal for an external filter.

Good point about the under gravel filter, I am planning to use live aquatic plants.

What setups do you guys have?

Cheers

 

[minxfishy]

Up until two weeks ago, had 7 tanks.

Two largest, 62g had an external fluval 305 running on it, good enough filter, only problems was getting it to prime, other than that, worked well.
50g had an aqua one CF1000 external on it, good filter, very quiet.

The other tanks, all have various internals on them and one has a wet/dry trickle filter on it.

 

[Brette]

I have a "low tech" planted tank and I love it. Low tech referes to low lighting and no C02 injection which is what many people to do get crazy growth. Real plants are good for your fish and add a really natural look to an aquarium.

Plants that can handle low light levels (the kind of light found in most stock tanks from the store) are:

Anubias
Java Fern
Vallisnaria
Cryptocoryne

All pretty plants! Deviate from that list and you may have trouble if you have a low light tank. Low light is 1 watt per gallon. 2 to 3 watts per gallon is considered medium.

 

[Petestraw]

Thanks Minxfishy I really appreciate your advice, I will have a look into external filters.

Brette I had anubias aquatic plants in mind, but will check out the others you have listed. I think real aquatic plants look amazing. I read at night they give off CO2, due to photosynthesis etc, how do you combat this problem?

Cheers guys

 

[Brette]

I think real aquatic plants look amazing. I read at night they give off CO2, due to photosynthesis etc, how do you combat this problem?

During daylight hours they take in carbon dioxide and give off oxygen, thus contributing to a healthy habitat. And yes, at night this process reverses. In heavily planted tanks carbon dioxide levels can rise significantly, while the oxygen levels drop off. If fish are observed hanging close to the top of the water and gasp for air, it may be necessary to run an airstone at night.

I have many plants in my aquarium and have never had any issues with lack of oxygen though. Real plants also help keep the aquarium water stable by gobbling up harmful chemicals produced by fish waste. They also help keep algae at bay by out-competing it in the aquarium

You can read more about the benefits of real plants here:
http/www.aquatic-eden.com/2007/01/benefi...n-aquarium.html

Good luck with the new tank!

 

[Petestraw]

Thanks Brette, That article you posted was really interesting. Live plants definitely make a huge difference not only aesthetically but they are essential to maintain and provide a healthy aquarium. No doubt about it I'm getting me some plants....
Cheers

 

[BigC]

Good old trusty Eheim external canister filters have served me well since the seventies, Well made and robust construction make the world beaters IMHO. Of course there are cheaper brands and argueably just as good, but from personal experience and longevity point of view I'd recommend Eheim to anyone contemplating purchasing an aquarium filter.
Your UK 50 gallon tank holds 227.3 litres
I'd choose one around 500l/hr (filter circulation) from the following
http/www.aquatics-online.co.uk/bigpics/eheiminfo.htm
They vary in price somewhat so choose one that has what you need and will suit your budget.
Regards
BigC

 

[Petestraw]

Cheers BigC. I've been looking at the Eheim 2222 External Canister Filter and I have few questions that I hope you wouldn't mind answering if you've got times

How often do you need to clean it?
How often do I need to change the filter media?
Am I right in thinking that each layer of filter media is used for different purposes i.e one layer for biological, one layer for mechanical one layer for chemical?
Which media do you recommend to cover all the bases?

Cheers

 

[rabbut]

Exturnals should only need cleaning about twice a year if they are coping with the tank they are on well

With the some filter media, you will never need to replace any (Ceramic rings for example). With other media, every 10 or so years is adverage (sponges). Other media may need replacing on every clean (floss because it is too fine to clean effectively, carbon and other chemical media for example)

I run only biological and mechanical filteration on my 82.3g planted Discus tank, as IMO chemical media is a money burner when used regularly. For one off uses, like removing meds or tanins from bog wood, it is great. It doesn't realy have any other uses IMHO.

The Eheim 2222 is a classic model if my memory serves me right? I'd place mechanical ceramic rings in the bottom, then a medium sponge, then a fine sponge, then biological ceramic rings or bio-balls. Finally, I'd stick in a floss pad The floss will need changing at each clean. The other media will probibly last as long as the tank with 6monthly cleans. It's flexing the foam while cleaning the wrecks it Remember, well cared for media will be premanantly discoloured by dirt Also, the classic range does not have media baskets, so you will need to use the media to seporate layers. The sponges will act both mechanically and biologically, but they will also act as a media seporator for the mechanical ceramic rings and either the bio-balls or bio-ceramics.

The mechanical ceramic rings have a smooth surface, and the biological ones have a pitted one I buy floss in sheets intended for ponds and cut it to shape. This costs like 5p a pad and will last a long time. Very cost effective also

Filter media should never go anywhere near the tap.

Please fishless cycle using Liquid ammonia for the welfare of your fish. I know adding a few fish every week seems tempting now, but you will be regretting it when you have been doing daily 50% waterchanges for a month solid after suffering very heavy losses....

All the best
Rabbut

 

[BigC]

All filter media should be supplied. I would rinse the sponges out monthly or bi monthly as they will become clogged to a certain degree. Do this in aquarium water that you have run off at waterchange time and not under tap water. The rest of the media I would leave until it reall has a lot of detrius buildup as rabbut says once every six months or so. Then I would lightly rinse using the same method as above and replace. We are not talking clinical clensing here.
Regards
BigC

 

[Petestraw]

Thanks Rabbut and BigC, I really appreciate your advice. I thought I'd have to change the media and clean the filter a lot more often but I'm really pleased with what you guys are advising.
I am really interested in getting a Eheim 2222, the more I read the more I like the sound of them.
Thanks again for the advice

 

[waterdrop]

I'm running an eheim 2222 and its been fantastic.

~~waterdrop~~