Filtration Questions

[JollieMollie]

I currently have an ugf in my mature (1 yr+) aquarium. I'm reasonably happy with the filtration, however especially in the light of a recent horrible fungal outbreak I'm considering getting something that has all three aspects: mechanical, chemical, /and/ biological. I'm just not sure, though.

There's the type that kind of clips on to the edge of the tank and hangs down inside the tank; unsightly, but I wouldn't have to cut away part of my aquarium hood. My problem with that is the pictures show a water level several inches below the top of the tank and I don't know if that is necessary, for the filter to work? If so, I'm not interested; I personally think if you can see the water level it is unattractive and looks more artificial than if all you can see is the water itself.

Then there's what I believe would be called an external filter, that sucks up the water and then cascades it down back into the tank after it's gone through various sponges and carbon and such. I'm concerned about these being noisy? The tank is in the same room we watch TV and if it's super noisy I'm afraid it will get unplugged, forgotten, and my fish would suffer. The powerhead I have right now is fine though and it's about 17 years old So as long as they arent' worse than that.


I'd rather not dig up my ugf unless it's necessary because my tank is planted, has several heavy rocks, and is full of fish that I'd rather not stress. Is it possible/advisable to keep the ugf, maybe switch to an airstone with carbon instead of the powerhead, and add an external filter?


Please let me know what the best choice would be in your expert (or not expert, whichever) opinion.




I have a 29 US gallon tank, pebble gravel, several rocks, various plants (amazon sword, mini swords, tall spiky white and green ones whose name escapes me as I just bought them, and anacharis), alkaline water that I'm slowly neutralizing, and hard water that will hopefully get softer as I slowly replace it with distilled bottled water. My fish currently are a single praecox rainbowfish (others died), six neons, two (soon to be one?) khuli loaches, two cories, and six male guppies (not planning on breeding).


As a side note, once I get everything figured out and stable, is my tank too small/have too much stock already to consider a pair of pearl gouramis? Would they nip at my male guppies and their flowing tails? Would dwarfs be a better choice? Any thoughts are appreciated. (-: Thanks for your time!

 

[OldMan47]

You are correct about the filters that hang inside the tank. They do require that you lower the water level lower than the trim at the top of the tank. I run that kind on a couple of my tanks and they are somewhat below the trim in order that the return be above the water line. If you try to raise the filter higher in the tank, the water will end up running across the bottom side of your hood.
One possible solution is a canister filter where you take water from the tank to a canister that sites under the tank. It is filtered and returned through a hose to the tank. That kind is generally very quiet and I find that I need to check for flow to know mine are even running.
Another kind of filter is a hang on back, HOB, filter that is very much like the internally hanging filter except it is mounted on the outside. That kind of filter requires that you keep a close eye on tank water level because it will become noisy as the water level in the tank goes down below the return level.
Another kind is a filter like the Fluval plus series. For your size tank probably a 2+. Those have a motor mounted on the top that pumps the water and has a sponge filter contained in a plastic housing. You don't see the sponge like you would on a simple sponge filter but the filtration is accomplished the same way. The internal + series filters are quiet because they can be fully submerged and work fine while the water insulates you from any sound they might make.
Finally, you can use a sponge filter. It is also silent when run by a power head and can be a very effective filter, especially in a tank that has any fry in it.

 

[arobinson1984]

I have an eheim 2075 external filter on my 29 gallon and I can't hear it running unless I'm stood right next to the tank with the cabinet doors open! It is virtually silent and i'd highly recommend, not cheap tho!!!

Andy

 

[OldMan47]

I have a similar experience with the Rena XP1 on a 29 gallon Andy. I was trying to give all of the options since that is what was requested.