Which Filter Is Best?

[MJ98]

Hi,

I've seen loads of varying answers to this question and wanted to find out what people think specifically for my situation. I have a 70 litre/ 18 gallon (roughly) tank and the last thing i need is a filter. Ideally I'd like something that doesn't have much maintenance or cost involved in the long run, so would prefer the filter media to be as much sponge based as possible. Stocking-wise I'm mainly looking at things such as tetras, guppies, a betta, and other ideas are things like angel fish, rainbow sharks or a few other bits. I haven't really looked at a specific plan for stocking yet but was wondering if someone could advise me on a suitable filter for my needs. I have been looking at canister filters that can pump around 280 l/h but really don't know that much, so would prefer help.

Thanks,

Martyn

 

[BigbruiserAl]

Tetratec external very good for the money

 

[fluttermoth]

Could you also post the length and depth as well please? as that does make a slight difference.

Probably you'd be best off with an internal power filter; something like the fluval U3 with a stated flow rate of 800lph (it'll be a bit less than that in practice) would do you very nicely

I'll warn you now, your tank is going to be too small for angels or the red tailed shark, both of which get suprisingly large, and you'll have to decide between guppies and bettas as they can't be kept together.

There are loads of lovely tetras that you could have a nice shoal of in a tank that size and that you could keep with a betta

 

[Blubble37]

generally to find the filter, times the litres by 10 to find the ideal flow rate. if you have messy or large fish choose the next model up.

Perhaps an interpet pf3/4

 

[BigbruiserAl]

If your paying out the money for filter and the tank is smallish under 100L i would want to use all the space i could, as the internal take a fair bit of thr tank hence external as a option

 

[MJ98]

Ok thanks for the suggestions so far.

The tank is 30x12x12 fluttermoth, and yeah i had a feeling i wouldn't be able to get everything i wanted, need to start looking into compatibility of the fish once i have this filter sorted for my cycling.

Will the internal filters suggested agitate the water enough to avoid needing an air pump? As BigBruiserAI said, space might be something to think about, but would i then need to get an air pump if the filter is external?

Thanks

 

[BigbruiserAl]

you dont need an air pump at all mate. Internal or external dont even factor it in

 

[awilson360]

I have a 90 litre and I'm running a Superfish Aqua-Pro 400. Comes with a 3 year manufacturer guarantee! It has a 1000lph flow rate and an exceptional amount of bio-filtration.

Thoroughly recommend it!

 

[waterdrop]

Agree with FM. Angels need 30G minimum and 17" height. The tank is too small for Angels or RTS. Also agree that a Fluval internal would be a good choice for that tank - one advantage of internals is that they are quiet. If you don't mind water noises then an AquaClear HOB of an appropriate size would be another option and a small external cannister might also be used, as BBA mentions. External cannisters are also quieter, like internals but most of them will probably have a rather high flow rate for that size tank. (I suppose the Tetratec 600 or next to smallest rena or fluval might be studied.)

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Smells a bit fishy]

With that tank size I would personally go with an internal, I would only really get an external for tanks over 100 litres, but that's just a personal thing. You could get a U3 as fluttermoth suggested, or a fluval plus 3(older and slightly cheaper).

If you want an external you could get a fluval 105. It's just up to your personal preference really

 

[MJ98]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I think the Fluval U3 looks like a good option, however i do have one question about it... I have read a few reviews around it and they say along the lines: "the recommended replacement rate for parts means buying new carbon cartridges every few weeks, foam pads every few months, and replacing a few of the granules every 6 months".

Is it going to be necessary to do this, or is the 'suggested' rate not actually that necessary? Also, would this be expensive to do?

Thanks

 

[fluttermoth]

I have the Fluval U3; it's been on a few different tanks now; had it about 18 months and it's still going strong (and quietly!)

It's quite easy to take the carbon insert out; I run either an extra sponge, or a layer of filter floss, depending on the tank and what I need.

It's currently running a three foot with nine Botia striata and 18 slivertips and I have no complaints (that tank does get 50% weekly water changes, I will point out, but all my tanks do; it's not that the filter is underperforming or anything like that; I actually ran it as a sole filter on my bedroom 48'x15'x18' for about six months when it was very lightly stocked

 

[nicolaisam]

I have Eheim biopower 160's in 2 of my smaller tanks,They are very quiet(one of the tanks is in my bedroom),They have a course foam,EHEIM SUBSTRAT pro in the centre and a polishing foam.
There are 3 versions including the 240 which has a 750litre output,and has even more room in it for more Substrat pro.

I am using them in my shrimp tanks,so water quality has to be very good and stable.

Easy to use,quiet,has proper filter substrate.spares are available on ebay,and through your LFS.