Filter For Malawis?

[stephen.h89]

Hi, at the minute i am running a fluval u4 and an eheim ecco but my tank seems dirty, so i am looking to upgrade my filtration, i dont want to go minimum requirements as i want crystal clear water so im thinking of getting a 10,000lph pond filter with uv, http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160465428897&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_4966wt_836 there is the one im looking at, what do u think?

 

[kizno1]

How big is the tank? I always aim for atleast 10X turnover

 

[stephen.h89]

tank is a rio 400 so 400 lrs

also thinking of adding 2x 500lph powerheads/wavemakers, not sure the water flow would be good for the fish so so need advising on that.

 

[kizno1]

A 10,000 lph might be a bit of a overkill. Something about 4000-5000lph should be fine.

 

[stephen.h89]

i cant find a 5000lph filter tho, thats y i was going for the 10000

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

Perhaps two APS 2000EFs for £150?
http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Aquarium-fish-tank-external-filter-2000L-H-9WUV-Media-/400098641607?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item5d27bcc6c7

I'd be concerned at the sort of current that pond filter may create (unless it can be adjusted), perfect for my riverine fish, but not very Lake Malawi-esque.

Perhaps give them a call/PM to clarify the pond filter specs.

 

[stephen.h89]

the pond filter has cone looking adapters which i can only assume are for diff size hoses so i will be using standard external filter hose as apposed to the 1 1/2" pond hose thus reducing flow

 

[Realtree]

On my Rio 400 malawi mbuna set up I run
1 x Fx5
1 x Rena xp4
and also have a aqua one aquis 550 running to use if I need to quarantine any of my fish.
Sounds like overkill - but the more the filtration the better

 

[kaivalagi]

the pond filter has cone looking adapters which i can only assume are for diff size hoses so i will be using standard external filter hose as apposed to the 1 1/2" pond hose thus reducing flow

I doubt reducing hose size will have that much of an impact on flow, more or less the same volume will likely come through at a faster rate...I think...it's down to the pump isn't it? Although I see where you are coming from, as looking at some filters they have valves to reduce flow....not sure now

I have one of those APS filters, only a 1000lph one, but I think they are very good for the money, might be worth a look

 

[stephen.h89]

but none of the aps filters are big enough for my tank, i have found a 5000lph pond filter with 11w uv so i will go with that, if water still doesnt look clean enough i will buy another 1 as they are only £30 + p+p

 

[kaivalagi]

I get you, but it's best running 2 anyway, for redundancy and ease of replacement parts.

Like mentioned, 2 x 2000lph filters would be okay

Anyway, kind of besides the point now you've found a 5000lph filter and at £30....any details?

Also, there could be other factors affecting things such as over feeding, more filter maintenance required etc, not that I am suggesting that would be the cause but it's worth considering before shelling out more cash.

 

[stephen.h89]

i feed once a day and dont feed that much as they are not big fish, cleaned internal filter out 3 days ago and external filter is still cycling alongside internal so cant touch that yet, i alsa have a small sponge filter inside the tank that i forgot to mention

 

[stephen.h89]

just out of interest, apart from pond filters, what else would be a good size at a decent price, i wouldn pay over £100 for an fx5 when i can get a more powerfull pond filter for half that price.

 

[Nick16]

the pond filter has cone looking adapters which i can only assume are for diff size hoses so i will be using standard external filter hose as apposed to the 1 1/2" pond hose thus reducing flow

I doubt reducing hose size will have that much of an impact on flow, more or less the same volume will likely come through at a faster rate...I think...it's down to the pump isn't it? Although I see where you are coming from, as looking at some filters they have valves to reduce flow....not sure now

I have one of those APS filters, only a 1000lph one, but I think they are very good for the money, might be worth a look

not true im afraid, smaller piping will reduce the flow. yes to an extent you will get a higher velocity but also you will be subjecting the pump to a back pressure/build up which isnt good.


for a 400L tank, an FX5 and a TT ex1200 would be fine. (or similar filters with outputs)

would avoid a pond pump tbh. the flow is too strong as the water will not be in contact with the media long enough and you wont get the breakdown you are after. Yes it will help to remove large particles but it will be pretty useless at bio filtration. Oh and you wont need a UV mate as an indoor tank is generally very clean an not exposed to the quantities of nasties a pond is.

 

[stephen.h89]

ok so 2 APS 2000 will be sufficient, i will get them and possibly a third just incase