External Filter Under 300Mm High
- Thread starter Bill1976
- Start date
Having trouble finding a external thats under 300mm in height for a 200l+ tank to be honest.
Wonder if you have considered a HOB( Hang on Back filter) ?
Like a Fluval C4 filter for example
- http
/www.miscota.co.uk/fish/hagen/fluval-c4-filtro?r=015561140034&gclid=CPrq1LD80M4CFWIW0wodmc4FZw
I have a Fluval C3 on one of my tanks, its a fairly decent filter and since I have no storage space for an external below this tank, this was ideal for me.
The only thing that annoys me is its not a self priming filter, takes a bit of faffing to get it to fill with water without air locking the pipe. But once mastered that, its not too bad at all. Certainly does the job for my tank anyway.
Wonder if you have considered a HOB( Hang on Back filter) ?
Like a Fluval C4 filter for example
- http
/www.miscota.co.uk/fish/hagen/fluval-c4-filtro?r=015561140034&gclid=CPrq1LD80M4CFWIW0wodmc4FZwI have a Fluval C3 on one of my tanks, its a fairly decent filter and since I have no storage space for an external below this tank, this was ideal for me.
The only thing that annoys me is its not a self priming filter, takes a bit of faffing to get it to fill with water without air locking the pipe. But once mastered that, its not too bad at all. Certainly does the job for my tank anyway.
Not neccessarily. Some tank have lids or hoods that has a detachabe or removable part along the reaer edge that can accomodate pipes and filters, though addmittedly this is nto very common.
Maybe you could DIY something with your lid to accomodate a HOB if that is what you'd like to try.
This is my Fluval C3 HOB, you would require at least a C4 which is a larger version of this HOB for your tank size, but is fine as a example of a HOB -
[sharedmedia=core:attachments:76541] [sharedmedia=core:attachments:76544]
[sharedmedia=core:attachments:76546] [sharedmedia=core:attachments:76545]
The last picture should show you how a HOB fits along the top edge of the tank, hence Hang On Back, but in this case its on the left side of my tank.
Hope that helps yu give you an idea of this if you cannot find any other solution that fits your requirements. There are a lot of manufacturers of aquarium filters and comes in all sizes and types.
Certainly worth looking online to see what you can find.
Maybe you could DIY something with your lid to accomodate a HOB if that is what you'd like to try.
This is my Fluval C3 HOB, you would require at least a C4 which is a larger version of this HOB for your tank size, but is fine as a example of a HOB -
[sharedmedia=core:attachments:76541] [sharedmedia=core:attachments:76544]
[sharedmedia=core:attachments:76546] [sharedmedia=core:attachments:76545]
The last picture should show you how a HOB fits along the top edge of the tank, hence Hang On Back, but in this case its on the left side of my tank.
Hope that helps yu give you an idea of this if you cannot find any other solution that fits your requirements. There are a lot of manufacturers of aquarium filters and comes in all sizes and types.
Certainly worth looking online to see what you can find.
Hi, thanks for the pics and explanation, although I don't think it would be suitable for my tank, my lid is solid with a smallish feeding lid in the middle, and it's made of plastic, which I wouldn't like to try cutting into, as I'd be afraid of it cracking, looks like I'll have to stick to an internal.
Am I right in thinking a fluval u4 is the way to go?
Am I right in thinking a fluval u4 is the way to go?
External filters are always better imho but that's only if you have the space of course.
Having said that, fluval internal filters, in particular the U series does exactly what it says on the tin. A very good and well built internal imho. I used to have the U3 and absolutely no complain about the performance of this filter. The only thing about these filters are its fairly bulky and takes up some room in the tank, but can be hidden with some well placed wood or plants
The U4 would be fine for your 200l tank, it's apparently suitable for up to 240litres.
A rule of of thumb when it comes to filters, a lot of keepers like to get the next size up of filter for their tanks. Say I have a 100litre tank, I'd actually want a filter for a 200litre tank for the 100l. There are several reasons, one, the manufacturers nearly always state their filtration up to whatever turnover per hour is with a EMPTY filter, no media at all so once you fill the filter with media the turnover will fall by some margin.
The only manufacturer I can think of who are actually pretty accurate with their information is Ehiem. A good brand, a little more expensive but worth looking up.
The other reason is, more often than not, keepers want to upgrade their tanks so by having a already oversized filter they won't have to worry about buying a new filter.
Thats just a suggestion, there is no reason at all why the u4 is perfectly fine for your purposes. Hope that helps.
Having said that, fluval internal filters, in particular the U series does exactly what it says on the tin. A very good and well built internal imho. I used to have the U3 and absolutely no complain about the performance of this filter. The only thing about these filters are its fairly bulky and takes up some room in the tank, but can be hidden with some well placed wood or plants
The U4 would be fine for your 200l tank, it's apparently suitable for up to 240litres.
A rule of of thumb when it comes to filters, a lot of keepers like to get the next size up of filter for their tanks. Say I have a 100litre tank, I'd actually want a filter for a 200litre tank for the 100l. There are several reasons, one, the manufacturers nearly always state their filtration up to whatever turnover per hour is with a EMPTY filter, no media at all so once you fill the filter with media the turnover will fall by some margin.
The only manufacturer I can think of who are actually pretty accurate with their information is Ehiem. A good brand, a little more expensive but worth looking up.
The other reason is, more often than not, keepers want to upgrade their tanks so by having a already oversized filter they won't have to worry about buying a new filter.
Thats just a suggestion, there is no reason at all why the u4 is perfectly fine for your purposes. Hope that helps.
Finally got internet access again, ( been to Anglesey ) I will be running an Aquael filter 3 plus alongside the new filter, I currently have 2 of these in the tank but would like something a bit bigger, as they seem to clogg up to frequently,
Is the fluval u4 about as big as you can get for an internal?
Thanks
Is the fluval u4 about as big as you can get for an internal?
Thanks
The U4 is rated for aquariums 130 to 240 litres with a turnover of 1000 l/h
An alternative would be the Eheim Biopwer 240, rated for 160 to 240 litre tanks and a turnover of up to 750 l/h (with flow regulator set on max) if you would be happy with the lower flow rate.
However I do know that with externals Eheim are one of the very few brands that give the flow rate of a filter full of media; most brands give a flow rate without media and as soon as you add media the flow rate drops. If Fluval do this with their internals, the flow rate of the U4 with media inside could be the same or even less than the biopower.
I have a Biopower 240 in my 180 litre tank and like this filter very much.
An alternative would be the Eheim Biopwer 240, rated for 160 to 240 litre tanks and a turnover of up to 750 l/h (with flow regulator set on max) if you would be happy with the lower flow rate.
However I do know that with externals Eheim are one of the very few brands that give the flow rate of a filter full of media; most brands give a flow rate without media and as soon as you add media the flow rate drops. If Fluval do this with their internals, the flow rate of the U4 with media inside could be the same or even less than the biopower.
I have a Biopower 240 in my 180 litre tank and like this filter very much.
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