New Tank - 110L (Ish) - Filter?

[sadguppy]

Just four weeks after having my first fish, I have given in to the nagging feeling that I need a bigger tank and bought one albeit second hand...The filter which came with it seems a bit old and naf compared to what I am used to, have plugged it in and it's a bit like a hamster having a piddle! What would you guys recommend for a 25-30gallon tank? Are some makes better than others? I would prefer an internal as I do not have anywhere to store an external filter and I shouldn't think I would need on for a 3ft tank.

I currently have a fluval edge tank, a fluval mini in my hospital tank, and an interpet PF3 in my 65l(the one I am upgrading) . I will use my interpet PF3 alongside any new filter until everything is up and cycled, it didn't occur to me that i would need a better filter.

 

[Torred1771]

Just four weeks after having my first fish, I have given in to the nagging feeling that I need a bigger tank and bought one albeit second hand...The filter which came with it seems a bit old and naf compared to what I am used to, have plugged it in and it's a bit like a hamster having a piddle! What would you guys recommend for a 25-30gallon tank? Are some makes better than others? I would prefer an internal as I do not have anywhere to store an external filter and I shouldn't think I would need on for a 3ft tank.

I currently have a fluval edge tank, a fluval mini in my hospital tank, and an interpet PF3 in my 65l(the one I am upgrading) . I will use my interpet PF3 alongside any new filter until everything is up and cycled, it didn't occur to me that i would need a better filter.

I would reccomend an Eheim Pick-UP 2012 filter. Suitable for 200 litre tank (always good to go with bigger filter) and you can pick one up for circa £30 from your local fish shop, or even cheaper on ebay. Brilliant filter, and very quiet.

 

[sadguppy]

Thank you - that seems like a very reasonable model.

I notice the 2010 is suitable up to 160l and as I am planning to run my fluval mini in it too (in case it is needed in the hospital tank) would this be a better choice? I know it's better to over-filter than under but I would think that after substrate, decor etc there won't be as much as 100l in the tank.

Another quick on - most filters have specific media to go with it - are there 'generic' brands which will do the job just as well? I recently received a fluval edge and the media alone cost around £20, which is obviously still a bargain as the tank was free, but surely it's all the same stuff and it's a case of cutting it to the right size?

 

[Jayladd]

Maybe a Fluval U3?

 

[Torred1771]

Thank you - that seems like a very reasonable model.

I notice the 2010 is suitable up to 160l and as I am planning to run my fluval mini in it too (in case it is needed in the hospital tank) would this be a better choice? I know it's better to over-filter than under but I would think that after substrate, decor etc there won't be as much as 100l in the tank.

Another quick on - most filters have specific media to go with it - are there 'generic' brands which will do the job just as well? I recently received a fluval edge and the media alone cost around £20, which is obviously still a bargain as the tank was free, but surely it's all the same stuff and it's a case of cutting it to the right size?

The 2010 would probable be suitable if you want to run another smaller filter as well for back up. Again, it is always better to over-filter than under.

I couldn't tell you about the media, im still in the learning process but I can tell you to try an avoild a FLUVAL filter, they are unreliable and you cannot get replacement parts depending on the model. I would stick with the Eheim Pickup, mine seems to be doing a good job, I now have the 2012 in a 90 litre tank and its brilliant.

 

[fishprotector]

Whatever make you choose, go for an external. Much less hassle in the long run, less obtrusive in the tank and nothing for fish to get stuck behind.

 

[Torred1771]

The Eheim Pickup 2012 and 2010 are both Internal filters.

 

[fishprotector]

Thank you - that seems like a very reasonable model.

I notice the 2010 is suitable up to 160l and as I am planning to run my fluval mini in it too (in case it is needed in the hospital tank) would this be a better choice? I know it's better to over-filter than under but I would think that after substrate, decor etc there won't be as much as 100l in the tank.

Another quick on - most filters have specific media to go with it - are there 'generic' brands which will do the job just as well? I recently received a fluval edge and the media alone cost around £20, which is obviously still a bargain as the tank was free, but surely it's all the same stuff and it's a case of cutting it to the right size?

The 2010 would probable be suitable if you want to run another smaller filter as well for back up. Again, it is always better to over-filter than under.

I couldn't tell you about the media, im still in the learning process but I can tell you to try an avoild a FLUVAL filter, they are unreliable and you cannot get replacement parts depending on the model. I would stick with the Eheim Pickup, mine seems to be doing a good job, I now have the 2012 in a 90 litre tank and its brilliant.

I would disagree with the dig at Fluvals, I have had three internals and two externals and have never once had a problem with them. They do their job and for me have been reliable. All of my LFS's have a full array of parts. Granted, they are not the best, but then they are not the most expensive either.

 

[Torred1771]

Thank you - that seems like a very reasonable model.

I notice the 2010 is suitable up to 160l and as I am planning to run my fluval mini in it too (in case it is needed in the hospital tank) would this be a better choice? I know it's better to over-filter than under but I would think that after substrate, decor etc there won't be as much as 100l in the tank.

Another quick on - most filters have specific media to go with it - are there 'generic' brands which will do the job just as well? I recently received a fluval edge and the media alone cost around £20, which is obviously still a bargain as the tank was free, but surely it's all the same stuff and it's a case of cutting it to the right size?

The 2010 would probable be suitable if you want to run another smaller filter as well for back up. Again, it is always better to over-filter than under.

I couldn't tell you about the media, im still in the learning process but I can tell you to try an avoild a FLUVAL filter, they are unreliable and you cannot get replacement parts depending on the model. I would stick with the Eheim Pickup, mine seems to be doing a good job, I now have the 2012 in a 90 litre tank and its brilliant.

I would disagree with the dig at Fluvals, I have had three internals and two externals and have never once had a problem with them. They do their job and for me have been reliable. All of my LFS's have a full array of parts. Granted, they are not the best, but then they are not the most expensive either.

I wasnt having a dig, im going off the advice i was given by all three of my local fish shops. Every one of them reccomended the same filter, and that was the Eheim Pickup 2012, it was £31.99 which is reasonable so I bought it.

 

[sadguppy]

I have nowhere to put an external so it isn't really an option unfortunately. Thanks for the advice guys

 

[Torred1771]

I have nowhere to put an external so it isn't really an option unfortunately. Thanks for the advice guys

Also why I went for internal. Have always used internal in the past and never had a problem, get yourself the eheim pickup2012