What Filter Is Best For My Tank.

[gazza_606]

Hi i have a aquaone 620T and i currently have a internal filter but it doesn't really clean the water as i have green algae over the side in a week.

http/www.aquaone.co.uk/aquastylelarge.php

I am planning on getting an external filter but i need to know if this is the right way to go and if so what one should i get, what size etc.

I have found the following so far.

http/www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/fish/filters_pumps/canister_filters/eheim/13352
http/www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/fish/filters_pumps/canister_filters/jbl/102999

Any help would be appriciated

Cheers

 

[ZoddyZod]

the filter has nothing to do with the fact that you are getting green algae on the glass. No filter 'cleans algae' from your water.

How long has the tank been set up?
What stock do you have in there?
Any plants?
How long do you keep the lights on each day?

 

[gazza_606]

Hi, i am still looking at getting an external filter instead of an internal one.

I have plenty of plants and have neons, mollies, odessa barbs and 2 tbar cichlids, i also have a few bits of lava rock.

As for the lights it verys from 8 hours up to 12, i have been told to get a timer so it is on for the same amount of time each day and at the same time.

It has been set up for about 6 months.

Would you recommend sand instead of gravel aswel.

Thanks

 

[KISSfn]

The Eheim classic is a proven performer. You'll want at least a 5x per hour turnover rate which would be 450 liters per hour for you. I liked my Eheim so much I got 2 of them. 8 hours is too much light in my opinion, less light, less chance for algae. I just changed from gravel to black sand and I love the look and I think gravel get dirtier than sand.

 

[gazza_606]

So if i go for the 2215 that would be perfect for my tank

Cheers

 

[ZoddyZod]

8 hours is too much light in my opinion, less light, less chance for algae.

8hrs is pretty much universally suggested as a good photo period if you have plants. Anything over that will encourage algae.

 

[KISSfn]

Agreed. Right after I posted I had a feeling I was wrong as I didn't take into account his live plants. My plastic plants have no light requirements whatsoever!

 

[gazza_606]

I got told any more then 8 hours will start to cause algae and if you like me and have it on at different times during the day then that also encourages it.

So route i am planning is the external filter and get a timer for the lights.

Also changing to sand but i cant do this at the minute as my Tbar cichlids are breeding.

I want to get golden sand so will standard play sand be ok once ive cleaned it, also im guessing after time the sand will start to get dirty, are there any type of fish that would eat the dirt from the bottom, i have a golden algae eater and a common gicicep (cant spell it) pleco.

Thanks

 

[KISSfn]

Playsand is ok as long as you clean it first. No type of fish will eat dirt. When the sand gets dirty you will have to clean it with a gravel vacuum. A common pleco will grow too big for your tank.

 

[gazza_606]

ok thanks for your help, should i get the Eheim classic 2215 or for the extra bit of money go for the 2217.

http/www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/fish/filters_pumps/canister_filters/eheim/13352

I know the pleco is meant to grow quite big and my local shop will take it off of me but i have had hom about 8 months and he hasn't grown.

 

[KISSfn]

Personally, I think more is better, so I would get the 2217. That's why I have 2 Eheims. I believe any fish kept in a tank that is too small for them will not grow because their growth is stunted due to it's environment.

 

[gazza_606]

ok cheers will go for the bigger one,and ok thanks for the info about the pleco i might take it back to the shop so someone can put it in a larger tank.

 

[minnnt]

5x turnover for this size tank is not 450lph... It's more like 600.

When you say you're using an internal filter, do you mean the built in one? They built in filters on the Aqua One range are excellent from my experience.

Your Gibbiceps will reach about 20" so you would be better off rehoming him and replacing with a Bristlenose or something similar. A nice group of Cory's will go well with your new sand. I would go with a darker substrate too, i am loving my new sand. I have play sand in one of my tanks at the moment, and although i am 'happy' with it, i will soon be outing it for some proper aquarium sand. If you can afford it then it is worth every penny. It is cleaner to start with, and also the particles are slightly bigger so doesn't cloud the water as much. In a tank of your size a 10kg bag would be ample i reckon. Roughly looking at about no more than £15 so it's a better option i reckon (Although a few more quid!)

Reduce your lighting to 7-8 hours also. Timers are a very good piece of kit for fish owners.

Good luck with the breeding too!

Oh, and welcome to the forum also!

 

[KISSfn]

The OP did not state the size of his tank so I presumed a 620 was the same as a 620T (now I know it's not). So a 5x turnover for the 620T would actually be 650lph and the Eheim 2217 circulation rating is 790lph so I think it's still a good choice.

 

[minnnt]

The OP did not state the size of his tank so I presumed a 620 was the same as a 620T (now I know it's not). So a 5x turnover for the 620T would actually be 650lph and the Eheim 2217 circulation rating is 790lph so I think it's still a good choice.

I never said it wasn't a good choice.

I have never used a Eheim so can't comment on that particular make, but my experiences with TetraTec and Fluval externals are very good.