What Size Of Filter?

[Phenz]

Hi, just picked up a new 4ft x 1ft x 1.5ft tank for £40 which i thought was pretty good so i snapped it up.

Just wondering what size of filter i'll need for this tank?

i've had fish for a while but my previous tank had an inbuilt filter so was never an issue.

i *was* thinking about getting a smaller tank so i've got a fluval 2 and two fluval 1 filters in the mail on their way to me. Cost me £7 for the lot which i couldn't resist.

i've done the calculations and it works out as a 40US gallon / 150 litre aquarium.

space isn't really an issue cause i've just realised that the tank is quite big, looked alot smaller on the floor of the fish shop than sitting on my 3 seater sofa - i have to go downstairs and look at it every so often to remind me how huge it is and have a giggle with glee. i' have absolutely no idea where i'm going to put it, or what the missus is going to say when she gets back from her parents.

if it were to go in our bedroom it would have to be absolutely silent, so i don't know what size/type of filter i would have to get.

thanks for help.

 

[raptorrex]

i have a hydor prime 30, rated at 900L per hour, on mine, same size tank, £56-80 always have clear water, clean it once every 3 to 6 months. not the quietest, but a very good filter.

 

[rdd1952]

You would need a filter rated at least 200 gallons per hour (process the water at least 5 times per hour) and a heater with at least 200 watts (5 per gallon). For a 4 tank, I think it is better to use 2 filters, one on each end, to better circulate the water. It also means that if one filter happens to clog or stop working, you still have the other to filter the water.

If you don't mind spending a little more money, look into the inline heaters. I have 2 of them and 2 fluval filters on my 75 gallon tank (2 years running) and they work great. Also means there is one less thing hanging in the tank. As with heaters, it is also best to use dual heaters on a tank that large. A single heater will struggle to keep the temperature even from end to end.

 

[Phenz]

so for my tank, would it be possible/advisable to use all three filters? the fluval 2 and two fluval 1s - with two heaters of atleast 100w?

 

[rdd1952]

I think that would put you at the very minimum. I believe the fluval 2 is rated 105 gph and the fluval 1 is 50 gph so that would give you 205 gph. To be safe (it's always better to over-filter) I think you would be better with a combo of 2 filters that give you closer to 300 gph. The more heavily you are filtered, the safer you are if you push the stocking limits.

 

[raptorrex]

no man just buy a decent cannister filter and be done with it!!!!!

 

[for_my_fish]

no man just buy a decent cannister filter and be done with it!!!!!

I'm with this! If moneys not a critical factor I go for two externals or one of the fluvals you have plus an external. eheim (classic or ecco - pro etc not worth it) and tetratec are good IMHO.

 

[Phenz]

well i'm trying to keep the cost low as possible, i'm picking up a "twin air pipe filter worth £50" tomorrow so i have no idea what it is, or how it could be used. i'm currently bidding on a few things which i might be able to use in combination for my new tank. it might even be possible for me to *make* an external filter, can't be that hard, just a pump, some pipe and a sponge in a bucket... right?

 

[Tolak]

You will need to build some sort of overflow, an important part of the some pipe idea. Here's a link to a common design; http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=185490

What you will be making is a sump filter. A long low bin works better than a bucket, and you wouldn't need a very large one for a tank that size.

 

[AndyOleszczuk]

no man just buy a decent cannister filter and be done with it!!!!!

He's right Phenz. I have got a Hydor prime 30 external and a Fluval 4 backup internal. Plenty of overfiltering !!!. Get the biggest external you can afford.