Filter Options

[FishFanatic04]

I was planning on using 2 Marineland biowheel 350 filters on my 75g but I am realizing that this may look quite bulky in the back and since I'm planting med to heavy, I'm worried about the overall look. They will cost about $90 total. Anyone have any other ideas on filters? Since I'm pretty new to aquariums I'm not really sure what the options are and what works best.

 

[KittyKat]

I recommend that you have a look at external canister filters, I like ones by Eheim, for example, and they have a "cheap" range which is called "classic". My problem with bio-wheels is that if there is a power failure, the bacteria can die in a matter of minutes because all it would take is for the wheels to dry up.

 

[OldMan47]

I favor canister filters for larger tanks. Another good option is a sponge filter driven by a power head. This option gives real insurance against the power loss since the sponge will never dry out and can recover quickly when power is restored. I like the Rena range of canisters but you would need at least an XP-2 to filter your tank which might cost a bit more than the bio-wheels. For the high water flows plant people insist on, a couple of power headscould get you there without the need to clean lots of filters or pay for a huge filter.

 

[FishFanatic04]

Don't you hate when the answers aren't what you wanted to hear . If I switched to the more expensive canister filters...which I want to do...I would have to buy 2 water pumps instead of one. So It gets wayyy more expensive.

Maybe I'll run the 2 biowheels and 1 water pump for a year and upgrade to a large canister later. Its that or give up my co2 system...but I fought to hard for extra budget for that one.

Thanks for the help everyone. I'll def be getting canisters at some point. Luckily I'm a stay at home mom, so if there's a power outtage, most likely I'll be here and can float the biowheels.

 

[FishFanatic04]

Ok. I saw a glimmer of hope when throwing filter ideas out there {I am officially a spoiled brat} So maybe I can switch to a canister....

I was looking at the different ones suggested here and some others, what I'm worried about is losing the circulation that I was going to have with the Biowheel filters. I've already ordered a Hydor Koralia Evolution 750 pump. That and the two 350 biowheels should have been a good bit of motion.

 

[KittyKat]

Luckily I'm a stay at home mom, so if there's a power outtage, most likely I'll be here and can float the biowheels.

Just a note of caution, as far as I am aware, bacteria which live emersed don't survive too well submerged, so best bet might be to mist it using a clean spray bottle instead of floating

 

[FishFanatic04]

hmm...If I was planning to take out the carbon filters and just use floss in its place there would be plenty of room for some media. I thought I could put in a pouch of bio-rings...that would be sumerged so in case of emergency I could plop those in the tank. Do you think that would work?

I would love to get a canister now but I would have to buy another water pump as well and it would be too expensive. Hope I can distract from the filter intakes with lovely plant growth!

Thanks for all the answers.

 

[KittyKat]

hmm...If I was planning to take out the carbon filters and just use floss in its place there would be plenty of room for some media. I thought I could put in a pouch of bio-rings...that would be sumerged so in case of emergency I could plop those in the tank. Do you think that would work?

As long as circulation is good inside the filter, then yes. I actually advise against using carbon on a day to day basis anyway

 

[FishFanatic04]

Great! Yeah, I have read that everywhere. I really appreciate your input. There's so much that goes into putting together a whole tank set-up. Wish I had known what I do now when I set up my 46g. I got lucky and only need to get rid of the ugly fake plants and fake driftwood The actual equipment was good.

A huge thanks!!!

 

[nanoMama86]

In you are in the US, look into the Cascade line of canister filters. They are MUCH more affordable than the hoity-toity fluval or eheims, and have super impressive flow. They do have a bit of bypass, but not to bad. With these guys you would not need to supplement flow. They come in the 500, 700, 1000, and 1200, and 1500 size range. I own the first 3 and I LOVE them! So easy to maintain and Penn-Plax customer service can not be beat . Plus, you can put ANY media you want in them!


I can not praise these guys enough! I have also owned the marineland 350 that are planning are using and I junked it after about 2 months becuse that thing was a loud, clogging up monstrosity. If you don't use their media and you have a problem, they will say oh well, you voided your warranty by using unapproved replacement media.

I also own the bigger ,older model 350, and I must say I liked'em better before the re-design.

 

[FishFanatic04]

They do have a bit of bypass, but not to bad.

huh? bypass? hehe Got too technical on me there. Talk to me like you would a ditz. J/k I'll look into those thanks...I was getting frustrated yesterday actually because I want a canister and don't want to give up the co2 to get it...

 

[FishFanatic04]

I was wondering if anyone has the Rena XP4 and knows if that will be way overkill on a 75g. I'm going fully planted and most likely fully stocked in the future.

Will I have a vortex in my tank? Should I just settle in with the XP3 or the Penn-plax cascade 1500?

Too many choices! I really appreciate any input

 

[AbbeysDad]

You actually need very little filtration in a heavily planted tank as the plants do a lot of filtration. You just need some slight water movement. Many have great success with simple sponge filters. If I was you, I might also consider the AquaClear or the Fluval 'C' series HOB's design as these are much better than cartridge filters, allowing you to select the media. For canisters, the top 3 are Eheim, Rena and Fluval - but as I said, these are overkill for the heavily planted tank.
Btw, you surely do not need a filter and a pump/powerhead - the objective is to merely create circulation, not a raging river....right?