morfin Posted October 22, 2007 Report Share Posted October 22, 2007 Hi all, 65litre tank with 18 tetras, 3 ottos and 3 pygmys. Currently has an aquaclear 30 hang on back filter, but would like to put an internal filter on. Any recommendations on a good one, have looked round but they all seem to just be sponge with no room for ceramic noodles etc? Any advice gratefully accepted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted October 22, 2007 Report Share Posted October 22, 2007 Is there any reason why your going away from the hang on the back filter? They are the best for smaller tanks as they don't take up area on the tank and actually add a little volume.. I don't think you'll find an internal with space for bio media most of them just rely on it living in the sponges and stuff, maybe just get one and jam some in, or cut down the sponge if your going to go down that road.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morfin Posted October 22, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2007 I've been having a bit of trouble with it, this is the second hang on back we've put on it and they just don't seem to be that great. the flow out of them seems quite low. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tHEcONCH Posted October 22, 2007 Report Share Posted October 22, 2007 Some of the Eheim internal ones will accept other media in place of sponge, but ceramic noodles aren't any good in that application - you need sintered glass - something with massive external area for bacteria to grow on - noodles are put in filters to create turbulence and mechanically filter crud out - a task done just as well by coarse sponge. Internals are also a pain to clean because you have to disturb the tank every time - I'd recommend you go with a better hang-on or even a canister - or take the cheap simple option and do more water changes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpidersWeb Posted October 22, 2007 Report Share Posted October 22, 2007 I've had good experiences with the cheapies at hutt pets, Haliea or something, work well and come with good suction cups. Definately good value for your moola. AquaOne's have worked well for me too. I've got two Shark internals which I almost want to smack against the concrete. Suction was pathetic, and the power has become pathetic. I have a third whom motor has actually died. So I'm not a Shark ADV fan anymore. Just remember, internals DO clog, so make sure you can see if the flow is stopping. You can do this by either using it to push surface water, or putting an air bubbler on it, that way when you see reduced flow you clean it, otherwise (like myself) you forget and one day your nitrite builds up and oh noes! I'm not a fan of hang-on the back filters either. Numerous problems I've had I just refuse to use them anymore. I either go $30-50 internal, or $150-185 external. Externals are definately the most reliable, and require the least maintenance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danilada Posted October 22, 2007 Report Share Posted October 22, 2007 I use Fluval, and have never looked back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael.qian Posted October 23, 2007 Report Share Posted October 23, 2007 I recommend Eheim 2010, currently using one now and it's doing a great job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morfin Posted October 23, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2007 we happened to go through animates today, more out of curiosity than anything and they had an eheim external canister classic 2213 at half price and with voucher cost $130. figured I could pay that for an internal or another hang on back, so its on and going great! Now that sucker has media! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tHEcONCH Posted October 23, 2007 Report Share Posted October 23, 2007 Nice! Don't forget to leave your old filter on for a week or so to give the new filter time to grow bacteria. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpidersWeb Posted October 23, 2007 Report Share Posted October 23, 2007 Nice! Don't forget to leave your old filter on for a week or so to give the new filter time to grow bacteria. x 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael.qian Posted October 23, 2007 Report Share Posted October 23, 2007 I am currenly leaving my Eheim 2010 for six weeks, just to be completely safe, added a Fluval 405 5 weeks ago. So the internal has one more week left. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morfin Posted October 23, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2007 Nice! Don't forget to leave your old filter on for a week or so to give the new filter time to grow bacteria. Yep will do, I might leave it a little longer anyway, I feel better now that the canister is running so I'll leave it for a couple of weeks, and then try to fit the noodles into the classic as a bit of extra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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