External filter help required

[hazel ingram]

Hi, I am new to this forum, so firstly hello guys, I come seeking help. I have a juwel vision 180 and I am wanting to replace the internal filter with an external one. I've never used one before and wanting to know which one I can get. I want it to fit the tank without having to cut any of the lid if that's possible and I need to know the best flow rate, brand, media. I want the best I can get balanced against the price of course. What should I be looking at?

 

[Lajos_Detari]

Actually your Juwel Internal filter which is built inside the tank is a good filter.
If I were you, I wouldn't change the filter.

What is your reasons for changing to external filters? Probably you can share with us your reasons and we can advise you the pros and cons.

Anyway, if you really want to change to an external filter, I think canister filter might be the only filter that required the least modification to your tank's lid.

In a canister filter, only the intake and output pipes will go into the tank.
Does your tank's lid has any openings or holes for the pipes to go through?

Also, you need some space to keep the canister filter. Please check your tank cabinet's compartment to ensure that the space is big enough to keep the canister filter. If not, you will have to put the canister filter outside the cabinet.
You can check the websites below for the dimensions of the canister filters.

Some canister filters for your considerations:
1)Eheim Classic 250
It can support up to 250 liters tank.

https://www.eheim.com/en_GB/products/technology/external-filters/classic-250


2)Fluval 206
It can support up to up to 200 liters tank.

https://www.fluvalaquatics.com/us/product/206-canister-filter/

For next option:
Can a "hang on filter" fit into the space occupied by your current internal filter?
Hence, another suggestion is to convert your current internal filter's space into a place to hang a "hang on filter".

But first you have to check whether if you were to remove the internal filter media, pipes, accessories, etc, can a hang on filter fit into the space occupied by your current internal filter?
And can the hang on filter hang on the front wall of the built-in Internal filter?

There are many good hang on filters such as Aquaclear 50 or 70.
Here are the links for Aquaclear filter:
http://faq.hagencrm.com/details.asp?kbfaqid=22594&en

http://ca-en.hagen.com/Aquatic/Filtration/Clip-On/A610

http://ca-en.hagen.com/Aquatic/Filtration/Clip-On/A615

 

[Annieapple]

Actually your Juwel Internal filter which is built inside the tank is a good filter.
If I were you, I wouldn't change the filter.

What is your reasons for changing to external filters? Probably you can share with us your reasons and we can advise you the pros and cons.

Anyway, if you really want to change to an external filter, I think canister filter might be the only filter that required the least modification to your tank's lid.

In a canister filter, only the intake and output pipes will go into the tank.
Does your tank's lid has any openings or holes for the pipes to go through?

Also, you need some space to keep the canister filter. Please check your tank cabinet's compartment to ensure that the space is big enough to keep the canister filter. If not, you will have to put the canister filter outside the cabinet.
You can check the websites below for the dimensions of the canister filters.

Some canister filters for your considerations:
1)Eheim Classic 250
It can support up to 250 liters tank.

https://www.eheim.com/en_GB/products/technology/external-filters/classic-250


2)Fluval 206
It can support up to up to 200 liters tank.

https://www.fluvalaquatics.com/us/product/206-canister-filter/

For next option:
Can a "hang on filter" fit into the space occupied by your current internal filter?
Hence, another suggestion is to convert your current internal filter's space into a place to hang a "hang on filter".

But first you have to check whether if you were to remove the internal filter media, pipes, accessories, etc, can a hang on filter fit into the space occupied by your current internal filter?
And can the hang on filter hang on the front wall of the built-in Internal filter?

There are many good hang on filters such as Aquaclear 50 or 70.
Here are the links for Aquaclear filter:
http://faq.hagencrm.com/details.asp?kbfaqid=22594&en

http://ca-en.hagen.com/Aquatic/Filtration/Clip-On/A610

http://ca-en.hagen.com/Aquatic/Filtration/Clip-On/A615

I'm also thinking of changing from jewel 180 internal filter to external. Simply because my tank houses peacock cichlids and I've been advised to get better filtration. Should I ?

 

[Lajos_Detari]

I believe your tank is a 3 feet tank.
4 feet tank will be more suitable as some Peacock Cichlids grow to quite large.
If not, look for the smaller species of Peacock Cichlids.

You can check the Peacock Cichlid species and their require tank size here:
http://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/search/peacock+cichlid

I suggest that you continue to use your internal filter as it's a good filter and it can be used as backup. Internal filter is good as it won't fail like other external filter that may get choked.

Just add another canister filter to improve the filtrations.
You can try Eheim Classic 250 or Oase 250.
Eheim 250 is cheaper but it's more difficult to clean/maintain than Oase 250.

Oase 250 is more expensive but due to it's unique design, it's very easy to clean and maintain the filter. It will save you much time.
It has a special compartment for the first stage of filtrations.
Most debris in the tank is trapped at the first stage of filtration and it require more frequent cleaning than other stages of filtrations.
If you have the budget, I suggest that you consider OASE 250.

See below.
https://store.oase-usa.com/products/oase-biomaster-250

Let me know if you have more questions. It's hard to explain the filtrations process here.
Please watch the video from the website and read the description /instruction on how the filter works.

 

[Annieapple]

I believe your tank is a 3 feet tank.
4 feet tank will be more suitable as some Peacock Cichlids grow to quite large.
If not, look for the smaller species of Peacock Cichlids.

You can check the Peacock Cichlid species and their require tank size here:
http://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/search/peacock+cichlid

I suggest that you continue to use your internal filter as it's a good filter and it can be used as backup. Internal filter is good as it won't fail like other external filter that may get choked.

Just add another canister filter to improve the filtrations.
You can try Eheim Classic 250 or Oase 250.
Eheim 250 is cheaper but it's more difficult to clean/maintain than Oase 250.

Oase 250 is more expensive but due to it's unique design, it's very easy to clean and maintain the filter. It will save you much time.
It has a special compartment for the first stage of filtrations.
Most debris in the tank is trapped at the first stage of filtration and it require more frequent cleaning than other stages of filtrations.
If you have the budget, I suggest that you consider OASE 250.

See below.
https://store.oase-usa.com/products/oase-biomaster-250

Let me know if you have more questions. It's hard to explain the filtrations process here.
Please watch the video from the website.

great info thanks

 

[Lajos_Detari]

By the way, if you want a cheaper canister than Oase Biomaster 250, you can go for Oase Filtosmart 200.
But the design of Oase 200 is completely different and not as easy to clean/ maintain as Oase Biomaster 250.

Nevertheless, if you compare Oase 200 with Eheim 250, Oase 200 is still easier to clean.
And Oase flow rate is definitely faster and better than Eheim.

Here is the link:
https://store.oase-usa.com/collections/indoor-aquatics/products/oase-filtosmart-thermo-200