something i've always been wondering cause like ain't it the same basic mechanic but just different medias?

The basic theory is the same - run water through the media and return it into the tank.

The closest form of tank filter to a pond filter would be a canister filter. They work the same way, except in opposite directions haha. For canister filters, the intake pipe uses gravity to draw water down into the canister where it runs through the media and at the end the internal pump pushes the water back up into the tank. So, canister filters only work if they are below the tank.

On the other hand, pond filters are designed to work above the tank level. Instead of an intake pipe, pond filters use a pump to push water from the tank up to the filter box, through the media and then the water falls back into the tank with the assistance of gravity.

You could turn a pond filter into an aquarium filter, but you would need to pick the right sized pump, based on the type of fish you have and the size of the tank.

So, canister filters only work if they are below the tank.

Not true. They'll work fine above the tank, they're a closed loop so the only reason to have them below the tank is aesthetics and convenience priming them.

so..is that a yes to i can turn a pond filter for aquarium? cause i want a bigger filter for my 1000liter but fx5 is quite expensive..so i was thinking of using a pond filter instead

and theres only 2 large jags in there only..

and also if i have a 9000l/h pond filter thats for a 3000liter pond would there be a downside? i mean that's like 3 times the size of the tank

Not true. They'll work fine above the tank, they're a closed loop so the only reason to have them below the tank is aesthetics and convenience priming them.

Really? Every canister I've ever owned always came with a manual saying that the canister must remain below the tank level..

and also if i have a 9000l/h pond filter thats for a 3000liter pond would there be a downside? i mean that's like 3 times the size of the tank

I don't think there's a problem as long as the fish are not affected by the water flow. I have a 750L tank and I'm running an FX-5 (rated for 1500L) alongside my sump, with a wave maker. All the fish are fine.

if you are talking about the 'pond filter' in trademe or some3thing, the one with built in UV

guess again

most of these pond filtration isnt designed with any bio media as i found out recently - my friend has a pond, and had amonia problems, upon invesgiation, discovered that the pond filters, which si commonly sold in TM

http://www.trademe.co.nz/pets-animals/fish/pumps-filters/auction-444432737.htm

this does not have any bio media compartment inside, only 2 to 3 grades of foam, really for mech filtration

if your tank is low stocked, then maybe its ok and have enough surface but really, you are better offwith fx5

fx5 is SPECTACULAR, and by far the best value for money filter in the market in my opinion, i have 3!!

i dont bother with cheapy chinese crud anymore! they break, have 'crispy' plastic and are not well fitted to each other through poor plastic injection technology, and the water just doesnt get as filtered.

fx5, is absolutely amazing

as for the 9000lph in a 3000 litre pond, it snot about the capacity of filtration.

Most filters will say "Good for 1200 litres' etc.

but really they are not, general rule is this.

If you have massive turn over, you can get away with less bio media because it goes past it more.

if you have slow turn over but HEAPS of bio media, that is also fine, the trick is the balance between the two, also higher turn over will usually result in clearer water.....

FX5 is superb and will be enough for your 1k tank and jags.

the pond filter maybe as well but cos jags eat a lot of meat and protein, i doubt it and wouldnt risk it.

look at the pond filter, maybe post a pic so we can tell if it has room for bio media.

i think you need to turn over your water volume 6 times an hour for good filtreation as a general rule.

In my 2000 litre system - i have a 6000 lph return pump, 3x fx5 and total of about 40 kgs of bio media. maybe more.

Those pond filters also rely on a huge water surface area for oxygenation, and substantial biological filtration occurring on all the rocks and other surfaces.

im looking at geting one of these for my 840L

http://www.pondone.petmart.co.nz/cart_product23194-1-3131.html?Title=POND%20ONE%20CLARITEC%203000%20PRESSURISED%20FILTER

im looking at geting one of these for my 840L

http://www.pondone.petmart.co.nz/cart_product23194-1-3131.html?Title=POND%20ONE%20CLARITEC%203000%20PRESSURISED%20FILTER

i wouldnt get it

id ont believe that has room for bio media apart from the 'cartrige'

whcih i dont belive will be substantial.

for a fish tank, go for an fx5!

unbeatable in value and performance.

you pay twice for eheims, good but twice! and you dont get twice the filtration.

sump is good but not good for mechanical.

fx5, clarity is fantastic

My twopenneth! I thought the reason for having the filter below tank level was in case of pump failure?