External Vs Internal Filters

Fish are friends

Fish Crazy
Joined
Aug 23, 2010
Messages
316
Reaction score
57
Location
GB
Hi I just want to know if anyone could shed some light on the pros and cons of internal vs external filters. I currently have a fluval u2 for my 90L tank. thanks
 
Externals are easier to clean, and I find them more aesthetically appeasing because they're not visible. As far as I know, most start for tanks from 100 litres in volume, smaller ones are more difficult to find.
 
Basically, the reason that I prefer external filters is because;
A.aesthetically pleasing
B.to change the media and stuff, you dont get your hands wet, always a plus!
C.Internal filters are big and bulky and usually tank up aquarium space. eg. in your 90litre tank, with the u2 in it, its probably 87litres
 
Basically, the reason that I prefer external filters is because;
A.aesthetically pleasing
B.to change the media and stuff, you dont get your hands wet, always a plus!
C.Internal filters are big and bulky and usually tank up aquarium space. eg. in your 90litre tank, with the u2 in it, its probably 87litres

Just to ad on from that
D. They hold alot more media than most internals do unless you go for a huge one
E. They give you more water volume. Not much but every little help.
 
sounds like at this point the internal filter is the best option for my tank, later down the line if i get a bigger tank i will consider the external..
 
F.Fish can die by getting trapped behind internal filters
 
Aye, but maybe less likely because internal filters usually have a much lower flow?
 
I had a neon tetra getting sucked up by my Fluval U3 last year :sad: :rolleyes:
 
Well I've just this evening removed my fluval 4plus internal and set up my new fluval 305 external. The tank looks wierd without the internal now :lol: . As a first time user of an external filter I would say it makes me slightly nervous that if the external filter or any of the pipes leak it could empty the tank all over my living room floor :hyper: .
 
Well I've just this evening removed my fluval 4plus internal and set up my new fluval 305 external. The tank looks wierd without the internal now :lol: . As a first time user of an external filter I would say it makes me slightly nervous that if the external filter or any of the pipes leak it could empty the tank all over my living room floor :hyper: .


& there you have the main disadvantage of an external. If you go away for a day out & it springs a leak ????? eeek
 
Agree with AT, nothing coming out of the tank can be an advantage sometimes. Another feature that internals -share- with external cannisters is quietness. Internals and external cannisters can be the quietest of filters, whereas HOBs and Sumps inherently have a certain amount of water noise even if their motors are quiet.

Not all filter functions are equal in terms of importance (although in the end its important that the designer puts them all together nicely.) Media volume (basically the "size of the box") is a big deal in filtration. It can make a difference to at least 3 things: (1) More media surface area (and media surface area is important to all 3 types of media (mechanical, chemical and biological,) (2) more area to create a "bed" (media can only perform its job if flow is slowed enough and if the carrier (water, in our case) is forced against its surfaces - bed size has a non-linear effect, with greater bed size greatly increasing contact opportunities within the media, and finally, (3) greater flexibility in media choice, management and maintenance (more filter trays means there's a place ready for optional additions of special media without disturbing your main media choices, generalized open trays means its easy to adapt all types of media and simple open trays also means very easy maintenance.

The main counter-force is cost. Beginners often exaggerate the ability of larger filters to replace the need for maintenance. Excellent gravel-clean-water-change habits can allow you to have beautiful, healthy aquariums without expensive, large-volume filters, but you have less of a safety margin and more frequent media maintenance in the filter itself of course.

~~waterdrop~~ :)
 
Dont mean to hijack your thread but
is anyone familiar with the filter that comes with the AQUAONE 850 fishtank,
thoughts on if good or bad,
thanks
 
festo: I replaces mine with externals at first opportunity. They work, but have no real power. I found they couldn't cope with anything more than an understocked community in terms of getting rid of crap. From the point of view of removing ammonia/nitrite, they were fine for a fully stocked tank.
 

Most reactions

Back
Top