Why Go Down The Canister Filter Route?

[fiskkeeperpro]

I currently have a juwel rio 125 with:

8 cardinal tetras
5 harlequins
5 rummynose tetras
3 bronze corys
1 albino rainbow shark
2 zebra loaches
1 platy

why should i go down the external filter route? i want to get one so that i can add a little more stock to make groups of fish so they are all happy but they are quite a costly investment for a 15 year old i am currently using the 600lph standrad juwel filter supplied so filtration is not great but adequate!
which filter would you reccommend? i will be using it alongside with the juwel. How much flow do i need to aim for? im used to lots of flow as i have a marine tank but how much is ok for a freshwater? 10x? What do you guys and girls feel about buying filters second hand of sites such as ebay? preferable i would like a filter that has baskets/layers inside...

please give me info on canisters

many thanks

Will

 

[Davo86]

Hi Will
You can pick up a brand new Tetratec EX600 filter for around £40, search on ebay for them thats where i got my EX1200
combined with your juwel internal you'll be running at double your current flow but would still be fne for your tank size.

 

[BigIan]

How do old bean, first of all don`t get second had filters, as normaly they have parts missing seals have perrised. and generally more trouble than there worth.
and as for flow rate i tend to aim for 5x or more turn over

 

[SJ2K]

If you want to improve your stocking, ditch certain groups to make room for more of others, so you could get rid of the rummy nose and get another 3 harlequin for example.

 

[OldMan47]

Sorry to have to say this Fishkeeperpro but more filter capacity will not allow you to keep more fish. If you add fish and your filter keeps up, it is big enough for the tank. If your nitrates go through the roof in 4 days instead of a week you are overstocked but it is not going to change by adding a bigger or an extra filter. The sheer volume of water that you are adding more pollutants to is the limiting factor on stocking as far as water quality is concerned. Another limiting factor is oxygen. That limit comes from the amount of oxygen consuming things in the tank compared to the water surface area for oxygen exchange. Again, the best way to get more fish is by having more surface area on the tank. Better circulation can help a bit with oxygen but will not help with pollutants.