External Filter For 12 (U.s) Gallon Tank

[ki_uncerta]

Hello Im new on here, just wondering if you guys could give me some advice?!

I currently own a small 10.7 gallon (12 U.S. gallon) Interpet Fish pod.

My tank is planted, with a few fish and currently I am running 2x Fluval U1 filters.

I want a better flow rate in the tank and also free up some space from the 2 internal filters.

A H.o.B filter is out of the question as my cover will not allow this unless I make some DIY cuts out of it.

Thanks
ki

 

[OldMan47]

Have you considered changing over the U2 filter? It is larger and will take up less space by being a single filter instead of separate filters. If you want lots of flow, as plant people seem to do, try adding a power head instead of another bigger filter. A power head will move lots of water in a tank that already has plenty of filtration.

 

[ki_uncerta]

Hey Oldman47 thanks for replying, Yeah thats a good idea I never thought to do it that way with a powerhead , the only reason I ran 2x u1 filters was incase one went down and I would have a fall back. I'll def look into the powerhead though.

Whats drawing me to a external would be no equipment in the tank (except heater) and I could get glass intakes to create the "clean look" but im just worried it would be overkill for a small tank.

Ive been looking at a old ehiem 2211 and a ehiem eco pro 2032 do you think any of these would fair well in a 12 gallon if had the flowrate turned right down?

Thanks for your advice
ki

 

[JoshuaA]

If you want an external you can get something along the lines of a Fluval 105 which wouldn't really be an over kill, there are other options, allpondsolutions do a mini external but I can't comment on it's flow rate.

Edit: Just read it was US gallons, with the Fluval 105 you'd be best using the Aquaflow valve and slightly closing it to reduce flow other than that it should be fine still.

 

[ki_uncerta]

If you want an external you can get something along the lines of a Fluval 105 which wouldn't really be an over kill, there are other options, allpondsolutions do a mini external but I can't comment on it's flow rate.

Edit: Just read it was US gallons, with the Fluval 105 you'd be best using the Aquaflow valve and slightly closing it to reduce flow other than that it should be fine still.

Hey joshuaA thanks for reply, Yeah ive been looking at the fluval 105's they look good, I really like the idea of a valve on it, as the eheim classics dont have one (as far as i know) tho i read some negative reviews about the fluvals being noisy and prone to leaking?.....i'll do some more research on them tho

im glad that it would not be overkill though.
thanks again ki

 

[JoshuaA]

My Fluval 205 probably wouldn't be an overkill, the flow rate is a lot lot lot lower than they rate it at on mine, I think I get like 150litres an hour on my 205 when I tested it.

For the amount of Fluval 05 series out there that leak is probably a small percentage, it seems to be from the seal but I think all external filters are weakest at the seal but I've had no problems. Some people like to take the seal off every time they do filter maintenance and put it in warm water? Why I have no idea, the whole idea of stretching it to get it off and then making it expand in warm water to put back on which it wouldn't a tight seal until it contracts... well it baffles me why you would do it.

I'm sure the 105 would be fine, price wise I wouldn't buy a 105 myself.

 

[ki_uncerta]

My Fluval 205 probably wouldn't be an overkill, the flow rate is a lot lot lot lower than they rate it at on mine, I think I get like 150litres an hour on my 205 when I tested it.

For the amount of Fluval 05 series out there that leak is probably a small percentage, it seems to be from the seal but I think all external filters are weakest at the seal but I've had no problems. Some people like to take the seal off every time they do filter maintenance and put it in warm water? Why I have no idea, the whole idea of stretching it to get it off and then making it expand in warm water to put back on which it wouldn't a tight seal until it contracts... well it baffles me why you would do it.

I'm sure the 105 would be fine, price wise I wouldn't buy a 105 myself.

Ah right I see, thanks for the info. I think im gonna go to my local Lfs on weekend and have a look at both the Fluval and Eheim. Its crazy to think your only getting 150l/h with the 205. Theres a few bargains of nearly new eheims and Fluvals on ebay so I might try my luck with one of them.
Thanks for your help