Best External Filter?

[MowAddict]

Hey,

I've currently got a 165 litre tank running a Aqua Manta EFX400 which does 1400lph but was going to get a second filter to run alongside it as I'm getting a new 500litre tank.

What do you think would be best external filter to get as the second one?

Thanks Dan.

 

[I Keep Fish]

FX5

 

[FishyWishie]

I just ordered a FX5

 

[kaivalagi]

If you want a single filter then an FX5 for the 500 litre tank would be a good move

Better still though why not have 2 filters combined so you have redundancy in case one needs fixing or you just want to clean it up good and proper and put new floss in etc, you don't need monster sized filters as they'll be 2 running.

Have a look at the All Pond Solutions (APS) filters, they're a lot cheaper than others and work just fine, I have one (the £50 1000L/H one) running on my 125L tank, but they go up to 2000L/H and have UV sterilizers on the bigger ones too. I run 2 x tetratec ex1200's on my 5ft tank which I got before the APS hence my suggestion, the APS filters basically use much the same filter design as the Tetratec's. You could have 2 x APS 2000 L/H filters for £150!

 

[MowAddict]

FX5

I just ordered a FX5

I was looking at these just didn't know if it would be mega overkill?

If you want a single filter then an FX5 for the 500 litre tank would be a good move

Better still though why not have 2 filters combined so you have redundancy in case one needs fixing or you just want to clean it up good and proper and put new floss in etc, you don't need monster sized filters as they'll be 2 running.

Have a look at the All Pond Solutions (APS) filters, they're a lot cheaper than others and work just fine, I have one (the £50 1000L/H one) running on my 125L tank, but they go up to 2000L/H and have UV sterilizers on the bigger ones too. I run 2 x tetratec ex1200's on my 5ft tank which I got before the APS hence my suggestion, the APS filters basically use much the same filter design as the Tetratec's. You could have 2 x APS 2000 L/H filters for £150!

My plan was to run 2 filters to make life easier, and I wanted to run a hydor 300watt external heater on each complete redundancy so if one goes the other will hold up till I notice. so FX5 and my Aquamanta is looking like a good bet. best place to get an FX5? and will the flow rate be too much through the heater to still heat well? and what do the UV sterilisers do?

 

[FishyWishie]

Ill be running my FX5 along side a Fluval 305 on my 240L lol works out about 13.2x filtration no such thing as overkill

 

[elisew]

FX5

 

[raptorrex]

Ill be running my FX5 along side a Fluval 305 on my 240L lol works out about 13.2x filtration no such thing as overkill

truth is they, together, only flow 2000lph. pump power, as stated by fluval, is just that. pump power, not a flow rate. which is why it seems you cant have too much. true flow is 8xish, on your tank. still a healthy flow rate though. this flow may be too little for a 500l tank.

 

[MowAddict]

I'm guessing you work out the turnover by doing total LPH by litre-age of tank? in which case with the 2 filters intended it'll be 2000+1400 LPH divided by 500 + 6.8x. a little low perhaps as you say raptorrex. perhaps then upgrade 2 two FX5's Later on?

 

[raptorrex]

I'm guessing you work out the turnover by doing total LPH by litre-age of tank? in which case with the 2 filters intended it'll be 2000+1400 LPH divided by 500 + 6.8x. a little low perhaps as you say raptorrex. perhaps then upgrade 2 two FX5's Later on?

well, not as i understand it. you measure flow, by how much water is pumped. Fluval claim 1400lph (305). but, after you add media and furniture, and remove the "pinch of salt". all, but a few, filters flow 50% (at best) of their claimed flow. so 700lph (at best) for the 305 and, roughly 1700lph for the FX5. in essences, you divide the "real", flow by the capacity of your tank of the tank. so 2000lph divided by 500l is 4x flow. as i said, perhaps a little low. but 2x FX5's oh yes, that will do nicely sir! lol

there are some exceptions. Aqua one and Eheim, possibly others. they state a pump flow, and a filter flow. even so, their claims are usually 20-30% overoptimistic.

 

[FishyWishie]

Ah well even going by your numbers 700+1700=2400 / 240 = 10 give or take those 2 and my koralia should ensure a nice flow I think

 

[raptorrex]

Ah well even going by your numbers 700+1700=2400 / 240 = 10 give or take those 2 and my koralia should ensure a nice flow I think

yep, sorry my duff math. anything over 5x, i feel, is fine. remember though these are only, rough flow rates. and, of cource, filters slow thier flow over time.

for anybody that is interested. measuring flow is a breeze. all you need to do is capture the outflow, from your filter. measure the time it takes to fill an container, weigh the result, multiply they time taken to 60 minutes. and bingo, you got your flow rate. now, sure, the measurement is very short, so this is not an 100% accurate measure. it is, however, far more accurate than the makers claim. its also allowed me to follow the drop in flow, between my cleaning times. indeed, it has lengthened the interval considerably. for those really interested. you can find how moving the filter, both cannister and pipes, affects the flow you get.