180 Litre Needs Filter

[michaelh]

Hi guys. As tital says ive got a new 4 foot 180 litre ish tank that needs a filter and heating but im real tight for cash.
The tank will be home to my common plec and probably convict cichlids.
Any ideas on how to filter and heat this CHEAPLY would he really appreciated. Thanks

 

[minnnt]

How cheap is cheap mate? A Fluval 4+ internal would be ok if you really kept up with water changes as Plecs can pump the poo out!! Budget externals would be the APS 1000, about £50 or £60 brand new. Unsure of the price of second hand ones.

 

[michaelh]

Even 50 is a bit much at the moment. However second hand is always an option.
I know the pleco can crap some.. Lol messy sod he is. Gotta love him though

 

[michaelh]

Interpet maoe a filter rated about the same but slightly cheaper.
Any opinions on that?

 

[minnnt]

No experience of them mate, sorry.

£40?

http/www.allpondsolutions.co.uk/aquarium-1/aquarium-filters/external-filters/aquarium-external-filter-1000-l-h.html

 

[michaelh]

No experience of them mate, sorry.

£40?

http/www.allpondsolutions.co.uk/aquarium-1/aquarium-filters/external-filters/aquarium-external-filter-1000-l-h.html

Thanks a ton for the link! Its rated up to 400 litres. Bit of overkill? May well be the 1 for me, just a bit concerned for the flow rate lol

 

[ian]

don't worry, the flow in these significantly decreases once you add the filter media. This filter would be fine for your tank.

 

[coldcazzie]

Agreed, I'm considering the same one for my 180L it'll be fine.

 

[minnnt]

No experience of them mate, sorry.

£40?

http/www.allpondsolutions.co.uk/aquarium-1/aquarium-filters/external-filters/aquarium-external-filter-1000-l-h.html

Thanks a ton for the link! Its rated up to 400 litres. Bit of overkill? May well be the 1 for me, just a bit concerned for the flow rate lol

No problem mate, it would make a very nice filter for your tank. I am running a tetratec 1200 and a fluval 305 on my 180.

 

[FeV]

Well i was just coming on here to ask if the aps external filters are any good and bam this was the 1st link.
I was going to spend £30 or so getting new parts
For my fluval 303.
But somebody is selling the aps filter on the link on ebay for £35 inc postage.
Are they any good or will it need replacing after a few months?

Also whats the best method of introducing a new filter? Use the old media? Or run both filters for a while?
Thanks in advance

 

[minnnt]

Well i was just coming on here to ask if the aps external filters are any good and bam this was the 1st link.
I was going to spend £30 or so getting new parts
For my fluval 303.
But somebody is selling the aps filter on the link on ebay for £35 inc postage.
Are they any good or will it need replacing after a few months?

Also whats the best method of introducing a new filter? Use the old media? Or run both filters for a while?
Thanks in advance

I use both methods mate. You could either run both together or seed the new filter with old media. Or do both!

As for the APS, i have heard they're decent filters, but the pipework is a bit flimsy and can crack after a while, but you could always replace this with some from the LFS or just some hosepipe!

 

[FeV]

Ahh thanks minnt. Ive been waiting for a reply before i ordered. Going to order now. With any luck i can just keep my piework now and just change the filter over. Which i suppose means i wont be able to run them together. All i no is £35 inc nxt day delivery is a bargain.

 

[minnnt]

Yes that is a great deal Adam!

The pipework swap should be fine to do mate, just make sure you swap the media over too!

 

[michaelh]

Glad to see someone else also getting some use fron this thread
thanks again guys and gals for the link and reassurance.
Better than the 2 450lph filters (internals) in their at the moment im sure lol.

What about heating. 2 @ 150 watts? Or 1 @ 200watts?

 

[minnnt]

2x100 would be fine, but 2x150 would be better as they wouldn't be on as much which would reduce the wear and tear on them.