Canister Filter That Does It All?

[Rlon35]

I am research getting a larger tank, wherein I intend to keep plants and discus as the main components. Now, I don't know if this is realtistic, but I need a canister filter or other opition, that: 1. I can add peat two, 2. has a UV sterlizer built in, and 3. has a 'precise' heater built into it. Is there such an option? I have seen an 'in line' system that does all of this, but I can't see alll the components for this, nor do I think this would work on a standard glass tank!?!? There are canisters that have UV sterilizers, but I haven't found one with a heater too. Does anyone know of such an option??? Thanks...

 

[aaronnorth]

well seen as you are getting a large tank, why not get 2 filters. Use one from the eheim professional range with a built in heater, then get another filter with a built in uv steriliser.

 

[calsonic]

personally i would get a pro 3 thermo and add a v2 uv onto it if you get a filter with a built in uv you may strugle to get spairs or find it difficult to change uv bulbs my mate had a filter with the built in uv and that regularly leaked i have a pro 3 thermo on my discus tank at the miniute and i can highly recomend it you are better off having the uv set up after the filter has finished cleaning the water so that it will run more eficinently

 

[Rlon35]

well seen as you are getting a large tank, why not get 2 filters. Use one from the eheim professional range with a built in heater, then get another filter with a built in uv steriliser.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I was hoping to be able to do everything with one filter, but this is a good fall back suggestion. In terms of water movement, your suggestion is better. I am planning a fish room of sorts. FLorida houses do not have basements, but when they have two levels (long stairs), a closet is usually situated under the stairs. One side of the long closet usually has a wall bordering the living room, while the other may border on another room. My goals is to cut holes in both walls, with two planted tanks framed in the wall of each room (i.e. each side of the closet). In the back of the closet, I can keep smaller tanks, possibly breeding tanks. This will be where I go to hide from my wife, and If I also get a minifridge, I'd be able to enjoy a beverage as I watch my fish. The filter issue...I don't know how many outlets I'll be able to make use of...lol...I can always upgrade the electrical situation

 

[three-fingers]

What is it you are wanting the UV for?

From what I've seen, all the filters with internal UV bulbs don't seem to have them powerful enough to do more than eradicate green water anyway.

If you want it to be very effective a much better option is to buy an over sized UV unit and run it in-line.

And if power is a problem then you may be interested in this, which seems far more practical to me than running UV 24/7 for any reason.

 

[Rlon35]

What is it you are wanting the UV for?^^^^^^^^^^^

For that warm, fuzzy feeling when I make the plungs to trying to keep discus.

 

[SuperColey1]

If you are going for a large aquarium (thinking 100USG+) and you are wanting to be fully planted then Aaron's is not a good fall back suggestion. It is the only way really.

You will struggle to get 1 filter to give the circulation needed especially if it has lots of stuff slowing the flow so 2 filters would be the way to go. You can then also use them to be able to sort the flow at both ends of the tank.

AC

 

[Rlon35]

If you are going for a large aquarium (thinking 100USG+) and you are wanting to be fully planted then Aaron's is not a good fall back suggestion. It is the only way really.

You will struggle to get 1 filter to give the circulation needed especially if it has lots of stuff slowing the flow so 2 filters would be the way to go. You can then also use them to be able to sort the flow at both ends of the tank.

AC

^^^^^^^^^^^

Yes, I miswirded that response. Two filters seem to be necessary for the water flow, else I'd have to go with jets or something. I like the idea of a unit with a UVS, and another with a heater encorporated. If I make it an in-wall unit, can I mount each filter intake/output over the side walls, opposite one another?

 

[SuperColey1]

The only rules really with filters is to keep tha cannister below tank level. After that you can put the hoses wherever you want.

Remember though the further 'uphill' they have to pump the more the flow is reduced. The longer the hose the more the flow is reduced.

I have mine underneath the tank and from the tip of my filter intake up the intke along the hose to the powerhead is less than 1m. The outlet of course being at the top of the tank is probably a total of 75cm!!

AC

 

[calsonic]

a pro 3 thermo should easily run a 6x2x2 tank with a uv

 

[SuperColey1]

a pro 3 thermo should easily run a 6x2x2 tank with a uv

But will it have a good enough flow for a fully planted?

AC

 

[calsonic]

i would say so its a hudge filter with a turn over of 1700 litres per hour it holds 13 litres of media and 25 litres of water
heres the link to were i got mine im planning on getting a second one to run a uv

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Eheim-External-Filte...A1%7C240%3A1318

its expensive but at the end of the day you get what you pay for

 

[aaronnorth]

i would say so its a hudge filter with a turn over of 1700 litres per hour it holds 13 litres of media and 25 litres of water
heres the link to were i got mine im planning on getting a second one to run a uv

[URL="http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Eheim-External-Filte...A1%7C240%3A1318"]http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Eheim-External-Filte...A1%7C240%3A1318[/URL]

its expensive but at the end of the day you get what you pay for

That would be ok for a 170l tank (in terms of turnover). In a planted tank we aim for a minimum of 10x turnover to make sure that CO2 and nutrients are delivered to all parts of the tank, minimize dead spots and to move organic matter around.

If Rlon was to use this filter, he would have to install an additional powerhead.

 

[Rlon35]

If Rlon was to use this filter, he would have to install an additional powerhead.^^^^^^^

Yeah, thanks. That was going to be my next question, but you answered it. If I was to put a large planted tank inwall, I think I would go with the two canister filters, one of which has UV and the other of which has a heater. I'd put the intakes/outflows on the sides of the tank, so that you wouldn't even see them from the room and you could work with the tank from inside the closet. So, I wouldn't go with tall plants in the background. I'd center a piece of driftwood, tuck a group of rocks all around it, plant anubias in all the crevices, and attach mosses to the wood. Then I'd look to carpet the rest.