Filter Advice

[Primm]

Hi all just after some advice on filter options.

I currently have a Roma 125 which is about 2 months old and everything is running nicely.

But I was thinking of upgrading the standard filter (fluval u3) to an external try and free up some space in the tank and for the easier filter cleaning and such.

So my questions are

1. Is it worth upgrading for such a relatively small tank, and is it worth upsetting a currently happy tank?

2. What external filter should I get size wise. Trying to keep it all fluval for ease of spares and because I'm impressed with the tank quality.

3. How would I go about cycling a new filter? Would I just run the two at the same time for a few weeks for the bacteria to inhabit the new media? Or take the filter media and just shove it in the new filter.

 

[DrRob]

Yes, it's worth doing. Externals are generally very good filters.

Size wise, it is said that 3x volume in turnover per hour (watch that externals generally quote their flow rate empty in ideal conditions, a few quote filled with clean media) for a standard tank, 10x for planted, possibly up to 20x. So for a 125 you're looking at 375 lph upwards in whatever range you like the look of.

Cycling will be simple, take the media out of your U3 and put it in the first chamber (the one the flow hits first) of your external, that way the bacteria flow into the biomedia of the external.

 

[Primm]

So a fluval 205 is rated for a 200 litre tank with 680lph would be ok? Or is that figure with no or clean media in?

 

[Ps3Steveo]

That's the flow rate of just the pump with no media.

 

[Primm]

So then it would be too small?

 

[Ps3Steveo]

yeah the flow rate drops by about 1/2 when filled with media and matured.