Filter On The Rio 240

[DD2510]

Hi,

Would it be advisable to change the filter or will the standard one be ok?

Ive seen the Fluval 305 External Filter, Would this be ok?

Thanks

 

[craig855s]

i made a very similar topic yesterday and was advised to go for the fluval 405 or tetratec EX1200 at least...despite the fact that the 305 is rated for up to 300L.
Never a bad thing to have a filter thats rated well over what ur tank is though,keep it super clean and if u can afford it do it..ill be getting at least a 305

 

[JenCliBee]

The aim is to go for a 5x (plus) turn over of water, i think the 305 is rated at 1000lph but with media you will realistically probably only get 600lph ......on a 240ltr tank thats doesnt even equate to a 3x turnover... i run a 305 on a 180ltr and it works well it could do with a slightly bigger one tbh but i supplement turnover with a 600ltr an hour powerehead just to make sure the circulation throughout the tank is better.


You would be advised to go minimum fluval 405 or TT ex1200 or the equilivilent eheim but i wouldnt know which model so someone else would need to help out there ... any of these would be sufficient for a 240ltr tank

 

[Nick16]

on my rio 240 i have a tetratec ex1200 in one cupboard and an ex700 in the other with my co2 kit.

the more filtration the better.

 

[DD2510]

on my rio 240 i have a tetratec ex1200 in one cupboard and an ex700 in the other with my co2 kit.

the more filtration the better.

Are the external filters easy to install and do they come with everything needed to run it?

last question i promise... Should i do the fishless cycle with the external aswel?

Thanks

 

[arobinson1984]

Yes most external filters will come with everything you need to set up and go.

To answer your question, it depends on if you are planning on removing the internal filter once the external is running or are you planning on running both the internal and external together?

Andy

 

[DD2510]

Yes most external filters will come with everything you need to set up and go.

To answer your question, it depends on if you are planning on removing the internal filter once the external is running or are you planning on running both the internal and external together?

Andy

i was planning on keeping the internal filter aswel... Ive been searching around and seen some setups with the Fluval internal filter running aswel.. I might go for that option.

 

[raptorrex]

Yes most external filters will come with everything you need to set up and go.

To answer your question, it depends on if you are planning on removing the internal filter once the external is running or are you planning on running both the internal and external together?

Andy

i was planning on keeping the internal filter aswel... Ive been searching around and seen some setups with the Fluval internal filter running aswel.. I might go for that option.

it may seem like a good idea, it is cheaper, but will not really achieve your aims.

if you are aiming for 5x, you need filter/s that turn "true" 1200lph. so looking at the filter box, check the flow rate, and divide by 2. (flow rates for internals mean little, as the media area i so small, higher flow, just deprives the media of proper dwell time).

2x 1200 tetra external filters, may, just do it! 1x XP5, will be ok too (possibly the best option for you).

 

[arobinson1984]

Depending on how much you are wanting to spend on a filter, I'd go for a fluval FX5 external, its a monster and would work wonders on your tank giving it roughly 8/10x turnover on its own.

You can get it from the website below for £140

Warehouse Aquatics

Andy

 

[DD2510]

Depending on how much you are wanting to spend on a filter, I'd go for a fluval FX5 external, its a monster and would work wonders on your tank giving it roughly 8/10x turnover on its own.

You can get it from the website below for £140

Warehouse Aquatics

Andy

Cheers... will deffo look at that filter...

 

[rabbut]

The FX5 would be overkill IMO. A single Tetratex EX1200 would be perfectly fine on that sized tank unless you are heavily planted or keeping messy fish IMO. A Fluval 405 would possibly cope, depending on the media you put in it. Put any mechanical filter media in after the foam pre-screen and it will clog up fast and not really cope. Keep it solely bio-meida after the foam Pre's and it would do an OK job until the primer breaks, and or it develops a leak and/or gets very noisy as Fluval's seem to do eventually. The FX5 has been reliable thus far, breaking the usual "Fluval are rubbish" stance that I tend to fall into though.... An Eheim ProII 2028 would also be good

The Eheim and Tetratec filters are both easy to rig and run and maintain. I find pretty much every Fluval a royal PITA to work on after a few primes though, as the priming handel breaks after a few uses and they almost always air-lock/impeller jam on starting... Such a shame as their internal filter are all great

All the best
Rabbut

 

[arobinson1984]

I dont think it would be over kill, it would be providing around 10x turnover but thats before taking into account media which would lower the actual rate to more like 7/8x

I think it would be better to overfilter slightly than settling for something that 'will just' do the job. It would also give more options for if the OP wanted to upgrade the tank in the future etc

I have a eheim pro 3 2075 on my rio 125 and is

Andy

 

[MrG09]

will the fx5 go in the rio 240 cabinet though?

 

[arobinson1984]

I'm not sure of the rio 240's dimensions, I think it would if the shelf was removed.

On the link given to that website, it gives the measurements of the FX5 so it would need to be checked.

Andy

 

[Nick16]

i hate this nonsense.

listen,

as rabbut says, very fairly, the 1200 will do as it is an awesome filter and far far better than the horrible juwel thingy.
however most people do run 2 externals on their tanks for the following reasons

1. in case one breaks, you have a redundant system (more or less)
2. so you can clean one and leave the other, so you always have 'good bacteria' (i use that quote lightly)

the 10x turnover rule mainly applies to heavily stocked tanks with messy fish or planted tanks (like mine)
it is optional that you run two filters as the 1200 is perfectly capable.

i feel that the 10x turnover is getting almost as silly as the 2WPG crew (in order to grow plants)

rabbut is talking absolute sense here guys and you ignore what he says