External Filtration

[robworcs]

hi all, am about to start setting up my 60"x18"x24" (approx 80 gallon) tank and have 2 external filters which i want to use one for biological filtering and one for general cleaning the filters being

fluval 203 and a interpet prime 20

does anyone know if this good idea or not and if not what would other readers use, any info woulsd be good
thanks
rob

 

[rabbut]

Well, they aren't big enough together to filter that sized tank, so the exact modles you are looking at may need attention

You can set one up as a mechanical filter and one biological if you like, but in a tank of 80 gallons, you are going to have at least a couple of hundereds of pounds worth of fish in the tank. In this situation, I'd highly recomend looking at "redundant systems". What this means in english is two filters, each of which are able to cope with the tank alone Each filter is then set-up to do both the mechanical and biological filtering. If one fails in this type of set-up, the other is still able to cope, and you and let the tank "limp" along on one filter for a few weeks while you sort out the failed filter without up-setting the livestock or risking their health With a good filter (Eheim, Tetratec, Rena) you should not need that redundant system, but it's good to have, just incase. IME Fluvals are unreliable bits of kit, and if this is a brand you which to run I would strongly recomend "doubling up" to cover yourself should one fail I have no experience with Interpet's filters however...

On my 83g planted Discus tank, I have two Tetratec EX1200's. If I were going Eheim, I'd likely get two 2028's, or if I went Rena, a pair of XP2's

If you want Fluval filters, a pair of 405's is the "minimum" I'd get. An FX5 may also be good, but two would realy kick up a current in there, and runing one will not give you the redundant system that I would highly recomend

All the best
Rabbut

 

[waterdrop]

Yes, I think rabbut has made an excellent suggestion there. A couple of identical eheim 2028 models or a couple of Tetratec EX1200's would be the ones I'd choose. This would not only give you the redundancy he's outlined but would allow you to do alternate cleanings, only disturbing one of them at a time. And overall you're really going to need this volume of biological filtration. The mechanical filtration needs will be taken care of just fine by either of these pairs too.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[robworcs]

thanks guys big help

cheers
rob

 

[jnms]

Hi guys - hope you don't mind me hi-jacking this thread - seems a bit pointless to make another one with a very similar question:

I currently have a a 200ltr tank - which is being filtered by a Fluval 305 and an internal Interpet PF3. I think the combined flow rate is between 1400lph and 1600lph.

The tank is slightly overstocked at around 68" worth of fish.

I want to replace the Internal Interpet with another external. Initially my thought to was get another Fluval 305, but I hear Eheim are much better. I am after a filter that would be able to handle the tank own its own should I have any trouble with the Fluval. So I was think of a Eheim 2224 maybe...

Any suggestions or advice would be most welcome...

 

[rabbut]

The Eheim 2224 isn't quite upto it I don't think You would likely want a 2026 You aim for at least 5X turn-over through the filter if possible if it is to be able to run solo.

 

[jnms]

The Eheim 2224 isn't quite upto it I don't think You would likely want a 2026 You aim for at least 5X turn-over through the filter if possible if it is to be able to run solo.

Okay thanks. I noticed in another thread you mentioned lubing the rubber seal. Maybe this is a daft question, but is there any chance of the Vaseline getting into the tank and causing trouble?

I haven't used a Eheim filter yet. How do they compare to the Fluval - I noticed my 305 doesn't seem to have very good mechanical filtration - a fair amount of particles end up back in the tank again...

 

[Bigpig]

The Eheim 2224 isn't quite upto it I don't think You would likely want a 2026 You aim for at least 5X turn-over through the filter if possible if it is to be able to run solo.

Okay thanks. I noticed in another thread you mentioned lubing the rubber seal. Maybe this is a daft question, but is there any chance of the Vaseline getting into the tank and causing trouble?

I haven't used a Eheim filter yet. How do they compare to the Fluval - I noticed my 305 doesn't seem to have very good mechanical filtration - a fair amount of particles end up back in the tank again...

Eheim are very good such the classic and pro range.

Have you added filter floss to the fluval to get ride of fine particles?

 

[jnms]

I have put filter floss in four of the six trays. It lays over the top of the bio-media.

I get the impression that the particles don't go through the media. Instead they bypass the media and go straight back out the canister again. Here's a picture of what I think happens:

What Should Happen

What Actually Happens

Don't get me wrong, I am happy with the Fluval 305, but I do think the design may have some small issues. Basically in the second image, there is a small quantity of water that doesn't pass through the entire filter media - and I think this is why I end up with particles back inside the tank...

 

[Bigpig]

Nice diagrams

I like the ehiem classics due to there simple designs and price. Not much can go wrong in them

 

[rabbut]

I personally think Fluvals are rubbish, but hey... Eheim are supposed to be far better than pretty much everything else, but having only owned a pathethic Ecco myself before, I can't realy say... The Classics and Pro2's I've helped mates with before seem realy well built though. Avoid their Eccos and heater version like the plague. I'd be tempted to add Fluval to the list of "avoid like the plague" filters, but thei fan base is out in force ATM and I'm not looking for an argument

Vaseline is petrolonium jelly basically. It is fish safe and will float, so should not be at risk of going anywhere

All the best
Rabbut

 

[jnms]

I personally think Fluvals are rubbish, but hey... Eheim are supposed to be far better than pretty much everything else, but having only owned a pathethic Ecco myself before, I can't realy say... The Classics and Pro2's I've helped mates with before seem realy well built though. Avoid their Eccos and heater version like the plague. I'd be tempted to add Fluval to the list of "avoid like the plague" filters, but thei fan base is out in force ATM and I'm not looking for an argument

Vaseline is petrolonium jelly basically. It is fish safe and will float, so should not be at risk of going anywhere

All the best
Rabbut

Thanks rubbut. Looks like it will be a Eheim I get at some point then. Out of interest what filter do you use?

 

[rabbut]

Tetratec for my Discus, a Rena will be going on the breeding set-up (when I set it up)

All the best
Rabbut

 

[waterdrop]

Hi jmns,

I actually agree, in the end, with the model choice mentioned by rabbut, but here's my thought pathway to it:

eheim pro/pro2 model, flow rate(liters per hour), modelnum of thermal(heater) version
2222 500lph (thermal 2322)
2224 700 (thermal 2324)
2026 950 (thermal 2126)
2028 1050 (thermal 2128)

Technically, a single 2028 model would handle the tank by itself, barely giving you 5x turnover, but is overkill since you will normally be using a pair. The 2224 would definately be low, as one of the pair. The 2026 should be a good rate. The rates all manufacturers give is pretty optimistic, so its always better to go with higher numbers as you can always adjust outlets so fish and plants are not blown around too much which is the main concern of excessive flow rate in the tank. Note that most of our planted tank guys are either up around 10x or are using additional powerheads for still more water movement, but you'll be aware of that if you've been thinking in that direction.

I agree to stay away from the thermals because the sensor won't work if you sometime have reason to use some salt in the tank for ich/white-spot or something like that. The Hydor inlines are a better choice for external heating.

~~waterdrop~~