pufferfishnz Posted August 12, 2007 Report Share Posted August 12, 2007 which is better? internal or external filters? which is better for fishes health etc? which is easier up-keep wise? can you use external on smaller tanks, and visa versa? What do you use (internal/external), what brand and why? Sorry for all the questions, but ive gota know so i dont make a mistake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ianab Posted August 12, 2007 Report Share Posted August 12, 2007 Better - external canister. They are generally bigger and have more filter media in the box. Means better filtration and less cleaning. Better for big tanks. Generally easier to work on, you dont have to putz around in the tank. Internals, smaller and cheaper, generally better for a small tank where it's hard to justify the cost of an external. If you are spending $200 for a complete 2 foot setup it's hard to justify a $300 external filter for it. Both work fine as long as they are sized right for the tank and the fish you have in it. Yes you can run internals in bigger tank, but you may need several, they arguably look ugly, and take lots of maintainance. Better to use a big external. I have internals in all my tanks, but the 200l would probably be better with a small external canister. When the budget allows Cheers Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IOU1 Posted August 12, 2007 Report Share Posted August 12, 2007 I use internals only just for the reason of no risk of leaking water out of the tank and easier to clean. I like the eheim pickup filters, although I know of others who would completely disagree. Slightly noisy from experience but very easy to clean and filters tank well, since my large internal aqua one filter became unbearable to hear on my five foot 250L tank, I have put one of these filters in (suitable for only about 90L) and have had amazingly clean water despite this... Will keep it in their unless the water begins to get dirty, but my tank is lightly stocked and reasonably planted. Hope some of this waffle helps you :oops: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smidey Posted August 12, 2007 Report Share Posted August 12, 2007 i have found external canisters to be the best. i have also found them easier to clean as all you do is turn the piping taps off & remove the canister. pop the top & everyrhing is right there in front of you. they also do alot more filtration IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim r Posted August 12, 2007 Report Share Posted August 12, 2007 I use internal filters and sponge filters for my small tanks, external filters on my larger tanks,another option depending on budget and number of tanks is a compressor connected to under gravel/ box/sponge filters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
me love fishy Posted August 13, 2007 Report Share Posted August 13, 2007 I would say it totally depends on the size of your tank. A big external filter isn't really necessary on a small say 80litre tank. I have an internal for a 60litre tank and an external for a four foot tank. I don't want any internals for the four foot cos I don't want to be able to see them in the tank either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted August 13, 2007 Report Share Posted August 13, 2007 It also depends on what fish (and size) you keep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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