Internal Filters

[markandhisfish]

when buying internal filters do they come with media/sponges etc or do you have to buy them seperate ?

also seen some with built in uv are they any good this will not be my main filtration it will be running alongside my external

 

[RedeyesUK]

They should come with media - certainly I've not seen any that come without.

That's not to say it'll be the right media for your purposes, though!

 

[markandhisfish]

my external provides loads of bio-mass just want maybe a little extra bio but mainly to polish the water

 

[foley69]

i know all fluval come with is boimax and carbon and a few sponges just to add a little choice for you to add your own media to the filter which is cool

 

[markandhisfish]

has anybody used an internal with inbuilt uv? are they any good?

 

[bitteraspects]

If you're going to get a uv filter, go with an external uv such as a turbo twist. They're much more effective. Internal filters with built in uv are not very good.

 

[markandhisfish]

ok cheers will just get a normal internal then. i wasnt after uv in particular i just saw it while i was looking at internals and was curious. could you reccomend a good internal to run alongside my external in a 100g tank to help polish the water?

 

[Davo86]

ok cheers will just get a normal internal then. i wasnt after uv in particular i just saw it while i was looking at internals and was curious. could you reccomend a good internal to run alongside my external in a 100g tank to help polish the water?

I'd go for something like a Fluval U4, or possibly a 2212 aquaball.
UVs are worthless unless you are going for fragile or specialist species IMO.

 

[markandhisfish]

ok cheers will take a look at both

 

[waterdrop]

I always think one of the main questions to ask yourself when buying internals and HOBs is whether the purpose of the *form* of the media that must be put into it is serving you as the consumer (ie. open and flexible so you can choose what to put in that space) or whether it is designed to serve the manufacturer by pushing you to buy a "replacement cartridge" only made by them. Once you know to look for this "openness" and flexibility in a filter design, it changes how you judge them.

If your extra internal is really just to polish the water most of the time then you would certainly want to think about replacing unneeded chemical filtration (carbon) and/or biofiltration (some of the sponges, ceramics, bioballs) with just big wads of polyfloss. The nice thing is that this extra filter might also be the easiest way to change in those things (chemical media in particular, for some special situation like tannins from new bogwood or something) for the odd time when you need them, rather than disturbing your big cannister filter.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[bitteraspects]

I'd suggest going with a HOB personally. Internal filters just take up space and don't look good imo.
If you got an aqua clear 110. With just the sponge and filter floss or quilt batting, that would work much better and look a lot better too.

 

[markandhisfish]

internals are easily hidden with decor. not a lover of hob. will probably go with something like a tetratec 1000 with sponges/floss

 

[bitteraspects]

If you insist on something internal try an AC70 powerhead with a quick filter attachment. I use these in my bigger tanks to provide more flow and buffing..

 

[petertr]

ok cheers will just get a normal internal then. i wasnt after uv in particular i just saw it while i was looking at internals and was curious. could you reccomend a good internal to run alongside my external in a 100g tank to help polish the water?

I have a Juwel Jumbo filter that I was planning on selling. Comes with all media

Here was my advert on the sales board: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=263023&hl=


I will post this.