Dual Hex tank

[crookedfish]

I have been offered a dual hex tank, similar to this one on ebay

Are yhey any good?

How would you filter the tank as it has two sides? Would you siphon the water from one side re-fill the other with an external filter set up?

Would you require 2 heaters for it?

The GF really likes this type of tank. I do understand that you could only have small fish like platys or guppys in it.

Thanks

Si

 

[Stryker]

I've not had one of these, but it would make perfect sense to have either a pump (pretty cheap) or a external filter taking water from one side then dumping it in the other side.

A plain old aquatic water pump can be bought for as little as £15-20.
Eheim pumps (spelling) are a little expensive and probably not neccessary for such a simple operation. Then you only need one heater and filter etc as the water is being circulated.

 

[Lateral Line]

If never had one, but yes, it would be reasonable to take water from one side and put it back in the other.

If you have a single heater that has sufficient capacity for the volume, and the filter is circulating the water between the two chambers, I don't think you'll need two heaters.

I am not a fan of Hex tanks because the surface area relative to the volume is low, with this design, it is slightly worse as the tunnels are included in the volume. As long as you keep your stocking level on the low side and don't choose fish that require a lot of active swimming space, I suppose it is okay. If the GF really likes it, go for it. A lot to be said for keeping the other half happy with your hobby.

 

[The-Wolf]

My neighbour has one of these

He has a fluval filter in one side that has its outlet aimed at the top tube. As the water is pushed through this tube it creates a current and the entire tanks water gets circulated, as the in take for the filter is near the bottom tube I belive that this is sufficent to allow all the water to be filtered without leaving dead spots.

Personally the only draw back I can see with these tanks is lack of surface area in comparrison to the volume of water.

They do look good set up though.

 

[crookedfish]

Thanks for the replys peep's. The GF realy does like them and a guy is selling his for a very reasonable price considering they are very expensive new!!

Ok with regard to the surface area. I will calculate the total fish length using the calculater that someone told me about on this forum, not including the volume of water in the tubes between the two tanks.

I think they look very good when stocked with the right plants and fish.

I will look into pumps and filters a little more, but I think that an external filter is a must so as not to use up the small amount of space in these tanks.

Is there such a thing as an external pump and filter all in one? I am not sure about external equipment as I have only had dealings with internal filters.

Cheers again

Si

 

[Stryker]

Yes, a google for "external filter" will yeild more than enough products.

For external filters fluval and ehiem are pretty good.