Filtration Question For Large Aquarium Owners

[prelovedfurnishings]

Hmm im tempted by two of the All Pond Solution 2000EFs. PFK amongst other places highly rate it. Even though im sure the 2000 l/p/h is less in real life, two of them coupled with my other 1050 l/p/h filter should do the trick? Thats over 5000 L per hour 6.25 times my volume. So even if they are less than what the manufacturers state, should easily turn my volume around 3 times at least.

Opinions?

 

[Aquascaper]

As said before they are good filters and can house a lot of media, the only downside is the drop in flow when full of media. Possibly having the two plus your original you could not fill them as densely and not sacrifice too much filtration capacity?

In the UK though an FX5 isn't much more money than two APS2000, would it not be worth waiting a while and getting an FX5?

 

[snazy]

I can vouch that my APS 2000L/H in a 330L tank without the spray bar made a mush/mash out of my new floating plants which are not so small(amazon frogbit and salvinia minima) and the flow(I haven't measured the actual flow rate) is very strong, a lot better than you'd imagine by reading the comments by other forum members. I've got a common pleco as well and sand substrate and there's barely anything to siphon at all, all goes into the filter. For the cheap money it is, it does a great job for me. Get the version with UV lamp, it's only a few quid more. But still, if you have more money to spent, try the other options for higher quality.

I recorded this for another member a while ago, but this is what it does to the surface. Next time I do a water change I'll record one with the water level below the output:

http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=DY0BIcxn7rY

 

[Aquascaper]

A 9w UV is not going to have any benefit to an 800 litre tank. For that volume a minimum of 15w would be needed (if you think UV is needed at all) so you would need to look at a standalone UV steriliser such as a Vecton unit. Bear in mind that the bulb will need changed every 6mths to maintain optimum efficiency if run all the time.

 

[snazy]

It's still a benefit though, plus two filters with 9W bulb each is extra nearly free stuff coming with the filters

 

[Aquascaper]

The benefit of UV on freshwater tanks is a highly debatable topic but still....

2 x 9w UV's is not the same as having 1 x 18w UV as they are on separate loops and only have the exposure to the volume of water per hour that the filter can supply. In the case of built-in UV systems on externals, the APS ones included, the flow past the bulb is to fast and doesn't allow the water enough exposure to the UV light to be efficient. A better description of these types of UV is a 'clarifier' not a steriliser as that is as much as they do by removing green algae spores, something that good water & tank maintenance will do.

The bulb and chamber also takes up space in the external which would be better put to use for media in my opinion but if the OP wants to spend the extra £10 per filter it's up to them.

 

[snazy]

The space the bulbs take is minimal compared to the amount of volume the filter holds-about 20L
I actually never thought of it and I contributed some recent(last few months) algae problems to leaving the lights off for a longer time and skipping on water changes, but since you mentioned the bulbs don't last more than 6 months, the time frame of the algae appearing in my tank matches. At least my new ottos are loving it. They look like preggo .There's a lot on other forums that confirm the APS filter with UV does prevent algae problems. I can't tell for sure but I even cycled this tank with plants and light on and didn't get algae then or common new tank algae issues. So for a 10 quid extra I'd pay it. I've spent this amount on fancy food and stupid other tank stuff. I actually have to change the bulb I think myself after over 10months use and see if it changes anything.

 

[Aquascaper]

The point being made is on an 800 litre tank it won't do anything due to the sheer volume of water so it isn't a case of an extra £20 (as the OP would need 2 filters) it's a matter of setting up a separate loop with a Vecton type UV and pump.

If you want an algae control method on a smaller tank then they are great as that is what they are designed for. They are not designed to cope with a large tank volume such as 800 litres or to 'sterilise' water due to the wrong flow rate for that application.

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

Hmm im tempted by two of the All Pond Solution 2000EFs. PFK amongst other places highly rate it. Even though im sure the 2000 l/p/h is less in real life, two of them coupled with my other 1050 l/p/h filter should do the trick? Thats over 5000 L per hour 6.25 times my volume. So even if they are less than what the manufacturers state, should easily turn my volume around 3 times at least.

Opinions?

As said earlier, you should not be banking on the APS200EF to give you more than 1200lph each, so two combined with your existing 1050lph filter (no doubt suffering real world slow down too) is ~3400lph tops, barely over 4x real world turnover. Most fish would prefer that combo to be supplemented by at least a 2000lph powerhead.

 

[Aquascaper]

2 x APS2000 = £140 + delivery
1 x Fluval FX5 = £205 + delivery (without shopping around)

No brainer for me......save up the extra £65 and get the filter that you know will do the job

 

[prelovedfurnishings]

The APS2000 are actually £126 the pair at the moment inc delivery.
Hmm im still undecided. I wont be stocking this 7 footer with monster fish... I’d much prefer happier and healthy smaller fish with plenty of room. Argh decisions!

 

[Aquascaper]

That's a good price (as I said I didn't shop around just a quick Google), question is......is it a good enough price

Have fun deciding

 

[prelovedfurnishings]

Well got my eye on a Ehiem 2250 at the moment, it would fit in my cabinet nicely as smaller than the 2260, but still pumps out 2,400 l/p/h.
This coupled with my current ehiem would give me around 3,400 l/p/h.

Otherwise i'd have to contemplate a fluval fx5, but it would be a squeeze in the cabinet.

 

[Aquascaper]

Sounds good to me, I personally favour Eheims

 

[snazy]

I did a water change, so recorded the APS filter as I promised, so posting the video for the record. It's been working for 10 months:

http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHYo4j5m85E