Filters For A 170L Tank

[nortonmad213]

hi, well as a present i was given a 170l tank for various reasons,
the set up i have at the minute will not be able to handle that amount of water plus turnover speed,
so i was wondering,
what would be the best filter to get (internal, external) plus pros and cons for each please.
 

 

[paradiddle]

Internals: Avoid if possible, personally they are an eyesore and take a lot of room in your tank, expect to lose some volume when using an internal
Benefits - the water stays in the tank, no pipes or hosing leaving the tank which means no leaking or issues outside the tank, can be cheap
Disadvantages - loss of water volume, harder to clean, when removing the filter to clean it 99% of the time you will get cloudy water as muck leaks into the tank
 
Externals: The way to go! 
Advantages - better filtration, more filter media, increased tank volume, higher turn overs
Disadvantages - price, harder to set up (still pretty easy) locating a perfect place for one etc etc
 
Id say external all the way! i LOVE my fluval fx6 and my tetra ex1200
 
For your tank id recommend the tetra ex1200,
Cheapest place in the UK is...
 
http/www.warehouse-aquatics.co.uk/aquatics/aquarium-filtration/external-filters/tetra-filters/tetratec-ex1200-external-filter.html
 
This filter takes 30 mins to set up, comes fully loaded with media, easy to clean and maintain and is damn silent!
 
Thats just my input but id recommend that filter for your tank, i love mine

 

[MojoDex]

I would also echo what paradiddle has said, go for an external. If money is an issue you won't go wrong with the tetratec1200 he has linked you to. However if you can afford it I would direct you to the Eheim 2217, Which IMO is an absolutely superb filter. Here is a link to one that comes with the taps.
 
http/www.warehouse-aquatics.co.uk/eheim-classic-2217-plus-external-filter.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=base&utm_campaign=wa&gclid=CL6ukNiSsroCFY5F2wodrH4A5g
 
As far as I can tell it doesn't come with media, So that is an extra expense unless you have some lying around. For a 170 litre tank you could drop to the 2215 or even the 2213 depending on stocking. Though I am all for over filtering and highly recommend the 2217.

 

[nortonmad213]

Thanks for your replys I took your advice into consideration and bought an ehiem classic 350 I know it wasn't the filters you suggested but my lfs only stocks lower range ehiem filters. I am also running my interpret pf1 inside the tank to help cycle the tank. However since I've had the lights running there have been orange lines developing in the sand. Any ideas where that couldd be?
Thanks in advance

 

[MojoDex]

Actually the Eheim 350 is the same as the 2215, Just different names sometimes it seems. Not entirely sure why.....

 

[nortonmad213]

ah that would be where im going wrong lol,
thanks,
may depend on location i dont quite know,
any ideas as to the sand discolouration?
or is it worth posting a new thread?
thanks.

 

[MojoDex]

ah that would be where im going wrong lol,
thanks,
may depend on location i dont quite know,
any ideas as to the sand discolouration?
or is it worth posting a new thread?
thanks.

If you could snap a pic that would help

 

[nortonmad213]

at work at the minute but will once i get home,
i have asked a few guys at work and the general opinion is that it is algae growing throught the intensity of  the lights,
one guy reckons it is just the levels in the tank changing the colour of the sand,
but like i said i'll post a pic once i'm home.
thanks again