filter dillema

[kenneth_kpe]

hello everybody i have a 15 gal tank right nw and want to make it planted meaning more lights,the problem is i have a overhead filter thats eating up half of the space on top.

here is the question, i want to change my filter to make space. whats the advantages disadvantages of an internal filter like the eheim 2008?

is an overhead filter better than a internal one?

thaanks

 

[Lateral Line]

In a tank that small, the principle disadvatage of an internal filter is the amount of space it takes up. They work fine. I wouldn't have an overhead filter for the very reason you mention, they take up to much space at the top which restricts my lighting options. An external canister is the best option IMHO.

 

[jams.alaskan]

I've never researched an external filter for a tank that small but that would be my first choice... if not, an internal filter would be my next choice.

ALASKA

 

[kenneth_kpe]

oh i see... canister filters ?!? hmm i just checked it on the net ! damn they are a bit expensive il try to save up to buy one. Btw are there other good brands aside from eheim that are external canister filters ? or other options aside from canister filters ? Eheim filters are proving to be really expensive when i looked them up the net !

 

[corrosive]

Fluval 2 Should be fine, i have a fluval 4, and a fluval 1+ theyre both great, the current is quite strong though, so if your fishys or w/e cant cope, u can fit a hose pipe to the outlet.

 

[rvm]

Fluval make externals aswell. They're not as good as eheim ones, but for a tank that size, a Fluval 104 would be more than fine!!!

 

[kenneth_kpe]

ok i just went around town and found the cheapest canister filter to be still out of my budget ! anyway what are my other options ? internal filters ? do they work as well as canister filters with their multi step filtration ? dont internal filters only use sponges ??!?! im confused.... i read around the forums and found one topic but it still didn't give me enough info to decide. I would like to know if internal filters are worth the savings compared to those multi step filters