Suitable Filter?

[Rbz5416]

I've just picked up a used 60l tank (Interpet Fishbox) & would welcome comments on the supplied filter. It's labelled Elite 15 & seems pretty basic with just a couple of small plastic baskets of gravel for media plus a couple of sponges. No charcoal & no apparent way to control the motor speed.

I'd expect that this is probably only just adequate so am considering replacing it.

Anyone have experience of this filter or could recommend a suitable replacement please? Quieter the better as it will be going in a bedroom. I was looking at the Interpet PF2.

 

[m00ms]

put a tetratec ex 600 on it as they are super quiet and water will be super clear with it.

 

[Rbz5416]

put a tetratec ex 600 on it as they are super quiet and water will be super clear with it.

Thanks.

Turns out it's a Hagen Elite Stingray 15. Amazon reviews say it's very quiet & it's rated for 75l so I may just give it a go, unless anyone pops up with a good reason not to.

 

[Noahs ark6]

I've had one of those before, i thought it worked well (despite the fact there is a small space for media). You can buy activated carbon "baskets" for them

 

[Cazgar]

I have one of those that came with one of my tanks.
Imo, the casing takes up a lot of room, & inside there isn't much space for media..
I'd go for a Fluval, or tetratec filter, both have more room for media & are quiet

 

[OldMan47]

Welcome to the forum Rbz5416.
The stingray filters do not enjoy a very good reputation among members here on TFF. I have never owned one so I have no opinion from my own experiences. Many of the external, canister type filters are dead quiet. Any of them that you get will need to be cycled before they can replace an existing filter though. That process will typically take at least 6 weeks of running in parallel with the existing filter.

 

[XFiSh_CichildX]

had one of these filters wasnt to happy with it replaced it with a fluval u2 and would never look back the u2 is amazing ! super quiet as i have it in my bedroom and it keeps my water crystal clear and my sand doesnt have any dirt sitting on it !! highly recommend

 

[Rbz5416]

Thanks for all the input.

I agree that there seems to be very little surface area in the baskets for a healthy build-up of bacteria. But I can't really justify the expense of an external filter yet as it's just for my granddaughter to take her first steps. I've been trying to remember what I used to run in a 3' tank but failing miserably. That was a fully self-contained submersible that even held a heater.

 

[OldMan47]

Some of the manufacturers make heaters that include a pump to circulate flow. They offer a filter attachment so that you can end up with an all in one device to heat and filter a small tank. I have never used the entire combination since I already had filters for my tanks. If you want simple, get a simple box filter or a sponge filter with an air pump. The bubbles provide the flow and the filter takes care of filtration. All you would need at that point is a heater and then only if you are keeping tropicals. My goodeid tanks mostly run without heaters.

 

[dh058977]

I have both Fluval U2's and an Interpet PF2 for sale in the classified section of this site if your looking for either of them.

 

[Rbz5416]

I have both Fluval U2's and an Interpet PF2 for sale in the classified section of this site if your looking for either of them.

Thanks but I've just ordered a U2 from Amazon for £25. As with most things these days the cost of the consumables makes the base item pretty much worthless.

 

[Rbz5416]

Just for info in case it helps anyone else:

The U2 arrived today but because of the positioning of the lighting & what I'm guessing is maybe an option in the hood for an auto feeder, placement is a bit of a pain. If you want to use the venturi to aerate the water, it has to be locate it in the rear left hand corner rather than on the RHS where I wanted it.

And why is it that rubber suction pads invariable fail to stick except when accidentally catching the glass while positioning, when they stick like limpets!