External Vs Internal

[london_kev]

Can anyone tell me what's the best... Or pros and cons of and external filter vs internal.

Tank size is 30/40l wont be going any bigger. Shilrimps will be in the tank.

 

[BigbruiserAl]

Internal for a small tank will be fine, the pro's of an extenral is it holds far more media and rakes up less tank space but really up to 120L i would have a internal

 

[london_kev]

So for more for fish that produces alot of waste....? I've notice that external hang on the tank must be lidless...

 

[fluttermoth]

In general, the bigger the fish, the bigger the bioload, so you need bigger filters and so externals are best because you can get more media in there.

For small tanks, with small bioloads, like shrimp tanks, you don't need massive amounts of filtration, so small internals filled with some sponge and a bit of floss, or even an air driven sponge filter would be fine.

The hang-on-back filters usually do have a lid on afaik; the one on the Edge does anyway.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

My tank and HOB filters both have lids.

I have the Marineland 56 gallon column style tank. It has a glass lid, and the back has plastic sheathing (for lack of a better term) that can be cut to make room for whatever filtration you want on the tank. The Penguin 200 filters that I am running also have lids on them. There are small holes in the top for aeration purposes I suppose, but there are lids to both, and I use two HOB filters.

 

[Hoppo]

My Aquaclear HOB has a lid covering up my filter media and intake pipe.