Filter Broken

[jama12uk]

My Juwel filter has broken down and i need a new one sharpish, how long will my fish survive without the filtration??



I currently have a juwel vision 180 which has the compact juwel filter as standard, however it only runs ata a rate of 400l/h which is the same rate as my 45l tank which is much cleaner and requires much less maintinance.

I have been looking at the new fluval 405 filters but have not yet decided. Does anyone have any sugestions with regard to which filter, or if you have a 405 your oppinion would be valuable.

I am looking for a large filter of similar size to the 405 as i may wish to upgrade my tank to a larger one in the future.

I am also fed up with the juwel filter design and my fish have continualy being caught in it.

Thanks

James

 

[ncjharris]

The nitrifying bacteria inside the filter will survive as long as they are immersed in water, but you will experience some die off as the water flow (and 'food') over them is reduced.

The main concern is the oxygen content in the water. The rippling effect of the fitler increases the surface area of the water and allows gaseous exchange - the net benefit to the tank is oxygenation of the water.
You don't say what is in the tank, as to whether you have anything that needs a high o2 content, but in the mean time I would add an airstone, or something to agitate the water surface in the mean time.

Because of the mini die off of the bacteria you may experience a mini spike when you replace the filter. Remember to transfer the media from the old filter to the new one, to maximise the colony to start with.

As for your choice of filter - I don't have any experience with externals, but my use of Fluvals in general is positive. I think this is also the one used by my LFS in their show tanks. A thumbs up if ever there was one!

EDIT: Although having just said that, I have just read CFC's post

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=120823&hl=

"Fluval filters really are the worst crap ever made, ive only owned two and both have broken down on me and ended up smashed to pieces in the garden, god help them if i ever meet anyone who works for fluval because they are likely to be fed bits of their own filters through a straw."