Starting Again After 40 Years! Filter Advice?

[major]

Hi,
back to a hobby I had great pleasure doing 40 years ago!

Things have changed a great deal as far as filters etc.
I am planning a community tank.

I have a new 4ft tank that is 32" tall (270 litres) and would love some advice as to the size/type of filter pump.
Would it be best to have two equal size smaller filters one at either end or one large one at one end. Will have to have an internal.

Hope someone can help

 

[Mowbz]

I would always recommend running two if you can, as if one fails, you have a backup.

Any reason why it HAS to be an internal? You would get far greater capacity of filter media AND tank space if you could filter externally.

Still, a 270 is a great way to get back into it!

 

[major]

Thanks for that

the tank will be built into a wall with no option for external. So would you recommend something like two Fluval U4s that say up to 150 ltrs each? the appeal is the top access to the filter which given the limited access I will have above tank and as the tank is quite tall this may help? so hard to decide given the vast choice now available! It seamed so simple all those years ago

 

[Mowbz]

I see. In that case, yes, two U4s would be quite adequate. I run a U2 in the 80ltr in my signature below, and its great. Doesn't hold as much media as some its size, but definitely reliable.

It also has different flow settings, with low (the bottom "spout") middle (underwater vertical spraybar, the planted tank guys love it) and top (the top spout).

The top spout on all models (bar the U1 i think), has an integral bubble stream which is good for getting an extra bit of surface movement for oxygenation without airstones. Can be turned up or down depending on preference. (I dont use it at all anymore, seems to annoy the Rasbora's!)

Looking forward to seeing it with fish in!

 

[major]

brilliant! thanks that is really helpful and that flow direction you mentioned would be great for getting movement down lower in the tank. Are the Fluval heaters good also? will probably need a 300W I guess? yes will post photos once set up. Getting a bit nervous about getting it right!

Cycling back in the 70s was only done on two wheels!

 

[Mowbz]

Chlorine was "gassed off" too, it seems to be frowned on these days! (All the time ive bee keeping fish ive used dechlorinator, but understand this was the previous method. We now know this gets rid of chlorine, but not the chloramine, that they put in our water these days!)

The new range of fluval heaters with the digital screen are supposedly very good, but ive not used them. I have an interpet 100w in the 80ltr, and a JBL ProTEMP 300w in the 340, never had a problem with either of them.

I can see the appeal of the fluval ones, as the screen changes colour if there is a problem, and i guess lihgts on or off, you couldnt miss a 1" square and red flashing thing in your tank!

 

[*pete*]

'It seemed so simple all those years ago'

I know what you mean.

An air driven box filter, filter wool and a bit of crushed carbon......jumpers for goal posts.

welcome to the forum, new here myself.

 

[major]

Agreed! I hate to think what I put the fish through back then!

Didn't seam to have too many problems though or maybe I have forgotten the bad times! .............. as I walked back from the pet shop holding my small plastic bag full of fish - IN WINTER!
oh its all flooding back to me now!! how did any of them survive!!!!

 

[Mowbz]

Its a wonder, since much less was known, much of it considered "mistreatment" now. But as you say, people seemed to have no more, if not less problems than these days.

This could also however be attributed to mass breeding for the hobby i guess, leading to weaker fish. Who knows!

 

[major]

Good point! I feel I'm on a journey of discovery and all the info on the chemical side of things is scary at the mo!

Off to dream about filters, heaters, testing kits, water, cycling and oh yes .... fish!

 

[*pete*]

I'm sure this is true especially with guppies, they used to be so easy to keep and prolific you could'nt give them away !

Sadly they just seem to fade away after 3 or 4 months on me nowadays.

I'm hoping to source some wild strain on here.

 

[major]

Is this a big issue now? the quality of fish stock? if so this would make me re-think a community tank!

This could explain how my guppies survived everything I threw at them!

'Could it be that life was oh simple then ......'

 

[Mowbz]

Its possible, but we only get this type info and insight from "old timers" like yourself, there arent many people that were keeping fish that long ago that still are now (especially on here), and so the valuable methods and information people like yourself hold is often lost before its passed on, which is a shame, becuase as you say, things were so much different backk then, but you still kept fish, no issue. Even with methods that these days would be considered nuts.

Stick around, you're a valueable resource!

 

[major]

trouble with oldies is the memory fades and I probably forget all the disasters I had!

thanks for making feel so welcome!

 

[Mowbz]

It'll all come back as soon as you get going again!