Which Filter Is Best?

[Ben M]

hi, i am soon getting a small tank of about 35l (still not totally decided on which tank i'm getting though), and i have been looking at some filters. in my local lfs, they have the Aqua One 302f-lv (£10), the Eheim Aquaball 60 (£15), and the Rena filstar iv3 (£25). but i'm not sure which one would be best. they are all on offer. has anyone had any experience with these filters and what are your views on them?

obviously, i'd prefer to get the Aqua One 302f-lv, as it is the cheapest, but there is no point if it isn't suitable. i've read that it comes with a spray bar and aeration nozzle, is that with it, or do you have to buy it separately? and has anybody got any pics of the spray bar and aeration nozzle so i know what they look like?

cheers

 

[FiSh123FiSh]

My recomendations of a filter type is a 'fluval' I havent had any problems with them ever since I started hence why I haven't tried any others. The term Cheap and Cheerful comes to mind with the aqua one.

 

[nmonks]

Eheim is the best brand and makes the most reliable filters. Rena and Aqua One are lower-end brands and have somewhat mixed reputations. Fluval is in between and Tetra is another mid market brand.

When choosing filters, don't go by price. That's daft. What matters are: [a] turnover; the amount of space for filter media; [c] flexibility (i.e., are you locked into using a single brand of media, or certain types like carbon, or can you stuff in whatever you want). Many aquarists have preferences for certain filter types. I like canisters, either internal or external, and find hang-on-the-back filters have too many shortcomings. But there are some odd people in the world who think hang-on-the-back filters are the best things ever. Each to their own. Do your research, and come to your own conclusions. Often, the types of fish will make a difference. If you're keeping cichlids, then an high-turnover external canister with lots of space for mechanical as well as biological media will be the prime choice. But if you're just keeping neons, then something that produces less turnover and has only limited mechanical filtration will be more than adequate.

Cheers, Neale

FWIW, I have the Eheim Aquaball 60, and it's a great little filter, but the blue sponge in the upper compartment gets clogged very quickly. There is also limited space for ceramic noodle media in the lower compartment. It's a good choice for clean aquaria with small fish that don't make much mess. It's not a good choice for burrowing fish, or use in tanks with lots of silt or dead plant material.

 

[Ben M]

thanks, i didn't mean that i was going to get the cheapest, what i meant was that there isn't any point paying an extra £10-£15 for a different filter that isn't any better than a cheaper one. i will only house shrimp and possibly some cory fry and oto's in the tank, so there won't be loads of waste produced. i think i'll probably go for the Eheim aquaball 60 then, as it seems the best choice.

cheers

 

[nmonks]

For an aquarium like this, the best choice would be air-powered sponge filter. One of the large Algarde ones would be ideal. Why? The sponge cultivates tiny animals and algae that the Corydoras fry and Otocinclus will eat. The shrimps will also graze on it, and the newborn shrimps likely hide inside it. The reduced water flow will pose minimal risk to the fry, while the air bubbles would be good for Otocinclus, especially during warm weather.

Cheers, Neale

i will only house shrimp and possibly some cory fry and oto's in the tank, so there won't be loads of waste produced. i think i'll probably go for the Eheim aquaball 60 then, as it seems the best choice.

 

[Ben M]

thanks, i seem to recall them having some of them in my lfs, but i can't really remember. which would be the best for my tank, and what l/h does it have? and would it be suitable for a tank with co2?

cheers

 

[nmonks]

which would be the best for my tank, and what l/h does it have?

You can't really do litres/hour for air-powered thing. I'd recommend buying one a step up in size to what it says on the packaging, and using a valve to bleed off a little air if needs be until you get the right flow rate.

and would it be suitable for a tank with co2?

Air-powered anything will drive off CO2. But then, so will a canister filter with a spray bar...

Cheers, Neale

 

[Ben M]

thanks, i'll have a look next time i'm in the fish shop.