New Filter

[radioman]

Right now I have a cheap aquaclear filter I am thinking of buying an external rena or fluval filte. My question is will this cut down on my water cloudiness and possibly get rid of some of the green algae in my aquarium?

 

[ben1234]

Adding a new filter usually includes adding new biological stores ie. ceramic rings. If that is the case, there will be less bacteria to filter out your cloudy water. If you have a well seeded substrata there shouldnt be too much of a problem. You could add carbon or purigen or both to your filter to cut back as well, personally I don't use chemicals, but I hear they help.
I've had a fluval canister filter for three years now, I love the thing. I would suggest it.

 

[DevUK]

Some have problems with Fluvals, but the newer 105/205/305 are much better. Personally I run a 204 which I bought second hand. Does a great job

I'd also recommend the Tetratec range. I run an EX700 and its fantastic. Your green water problems won't really be solved with a new filter I don't think. Its algae so you need to find the root cause of it and fix that. Regular water changes might help, but you might have high amounts of nutrients in the water or something. Does the tank get any direct sunlight?

Check JamesC's great algae website here:

http/www.theplantedtank.co.uk/algae.htm

He suggests:

Large water changes do not seem to always help. There is an imbalance in nutrients so fixing it will sometimes make it go away by itself after a while. A three day blackout followed by a large water change will hit it hard and sometimes may clear it. A UV steriliser/clarifier or diatom filter will clear it up very quickly and is often the only way to clear it.
A new method is to use freshly cut 1-2 year old willow branches about 0.5-1cm in width. Place these in your tank vertically so they go from the substrate to a few centimeters above the water's surface. After a few days they will start to grow roots and the green water should start to clear. When cleared remove the branches from the water.
Don't confuse this with a bacterial bloom which gives the water a white haze.

 

[funkyhoney]

I'll definitely recommend fluval canisters as well, I have a 305 on my semi-planted tank and it's fantastic especially the 05 models with the anti-clog intake.