Filters

ParadiseGuerrero · Dec 7, 2011

Hello, Sorry to have to ask but what filters would you recommend?

I have a 120L planted tank at the moment it has a Fluval U4 in it which is a good enough filter and all but it's bugging me- i can see it ;p and a hug black box sitting in the tank is really annoying. Besides that my betta has decided that it is a really good resting place; he flattens him self against it and lets it suck his fins in a bit which isn't too bad because the intake power is quite small but I don't think it's doing his fins any good.

So there are some requirements for the filter-
1) Betta friendly- I gather that a huge amount of flow won't do him too good? Though he doesn't seem to mind the flow; he swims right in front of the output sometimes.
2) Suitable for a 120L planted tank.
3) It has to be quiet; the tank is about a foot away from my bed- I can even here when the heater flicks it's self on and off ;p
4) Not too had to set up- I've done a bit of reading into filters and frankly it's confusing; the only thing that I can seem to pick up is that the ones that sit outside the tank are harder to set up
5) Won't cost the Earth

I'm afraid I know nothing about filters so not sure how picky I'm being (sorry if I am) and apart from that I don't know where to start.
Thankyou in advance for anything you can offer

nurglespuss · Dec 7, 2011

Well if you fancy external for me the JBL is the best (affordable) but high tech kit out there (an e700 would be fine for your tank)

Best thing is its silent (completely silent), and you can either use the spray bar, or use the lever to reduce the flow if its too much for your Betta

Just remember whatever filter you choose, transfer as much of your mature media from your internal as you can

MegaZerino · Dec 7, 2011

Ive got a fluval 105 in my 65l tank, its got 1 dwarf gourami, 5 bettas and some plants, it was cheap (£65) and a good price seeing as it hasnt caused me any problems so far. My laptop makes more noise than it, and when thats turned off, i still cant hear it. Its my first external filter and i found it very easy to set up, plus you can control the output stregnth so if its too strong for your betta you can lower it.

robertsskippyj · Dec 7, 2011

I was suggested a Tetratec EX1200 by a load of people here, its the best thing since sliced bread.
An EX700 would be all you'd ever need on a 120l and you can use the taps to reduce the flow if its to much for your betta.

nurglespuss · Dec 7, 2011

MegaZerino said:
Ive got a fluval 105 in my 65l tank, its got 1 dwarf gourami, 5 bettas and some plants, it was cheap (£65) and a good price seeing as it hasnt caused me any problems so far. My laptop makes more noise than it, and when thats turned off, i still cant hear it. Its my first external filter and i found it very easy to set up, plus you can control the output stregnth so if its too strong for your betta you can lower it.

+1 if you can afford fluval are excellent too (go for a 205)

ParadiseGuerrero · Dec 8, 2011

thanks everyone

I'll have a look into those 3

Tizer · Dec 8, 2011

fluval 05 range suck, tetratec all the way!

soybean · Dec 8, 2011

I like my eheim 2215 - you could put the 2213 on your tank. Mines in my room too, can't hear more than a gentle hum (the only deadly silent ones you'll find are broken).

Btw I had a jbl e900, one up from the e700 - hated it, very noisy, but might've been a one off.

You will always get pros and cons for EVERY external filter - but tbh there isn't much in it between most of them.

Blubble37 · Dec 8, 2011

tetratec all the way mate!!! i had my small tank in my room for a week and my tetratec IN300 i had in there was deathly silent... only making a very small noise when my vacuum valve airgate opened and gulped a little air down into the outlet before shutting again... if i turned that off i wouldn't be able to tell if it was running or not...

cynic · Dec 8, 2011

Tetra tec totally, the timer for the lights makes more noise than my 1200.

Blubble37 · Dec 8, 2011

i hate the timers! i use them but i have them in soundproof boxes as otherwise they keep me awake - even from downstairs! and they are high quality ones and all!

i will be getting electronic timers next time i think...

cynic · Dec 8, 2011

Mine is in the living room so its fine.

I was thinking of using an old central heating timer, 2 channels and 4 options a day for most of em, that could be low light, mid day etc. And above all, silent.

nurglespuss · Dec 8, 2011

"fluval 05 range suck, tetratec all the way! "

Nothing wrong with Fluval, never had a faulty external since the Gen ones!

But deffo JML for me, its the quietest thing ever, with the largest capacity of all the filters (except possibly the FX range)