Filter for 48 x 18 x 12

[LiQuOrIcE]

Hiya, Following on from my last topic, i thought it maybe best to start a new one now.

Im soon going to have a 48 x 18 x 12 tank and would like to know the best filter options i have.

I see the Fluval 4 says it is for 'up to' 48" tanks, is it better to get a filter that is mabe for a bigger tank as if it is for tanks up to 48", isnt it pushing the boundries?

Do i need an undergravel filter?

TIA

 

[LiQuOrIcE]

Just a thought..... is there benifits of running 2 filters?

i.e. my current Fluval 3plus & a Fluval 4?

 

[gixer]

i would deffinatly run your fluval 3 aswell as this will be well established and would probarbly run the tank if you dont increase the bio load while your new filter is seeding.

have you not considdered an external filter.

there are loads of benifits of running two filters, you can never have enough filtration. and its always good to have a back up.

 

[Cheese Specialist]

The benefits of running more than opne filter, will be more filtration!

I run a fluval 4+ in my tank of that size but I am considering adding an external at some point. It does the job fine, I always have good levels and it's quiet but I'd like to add extra anyway.

 

[LiQuOrIcE]

I was gonna run whatever new filter i got in my current tank for a bit first.

I dont know anything about external filters, would love to know more!

Basically, i wanna know whats best as im sure the better ones make life easier aswell!

 

[pendragon]

A 48 x 18 x 12 tank is right at 45 US gallons (not sure how UK gallons are different). The general rule of thumb for minimum filtration is a total filtration flow rate equal to five times the tank volume, thus you'd shoot for at least 225 gallons-per-hour (gpf) worth of filtration. Filter specifications will list their gpf flowrate.

Filtration is a cumulative as well. One 225 gpf filter and five 45 gpf filters are technically equivalent, for the purpose of sufficient filtration.

It appears you can find the flowrate of Fluval filters in the product specifications of the Hagen website.

pendragon!

 

[LiQuOrIcE]

According to THIS then, it will be 37.459 imperial gallons, meaning i need 187 gpf which i make 850liters.

The Fluval 4 Plus does 1000 Liters per hour, which would be ok yea?(Imperial)

Am i totaly wrong?

 

[gixer]

no your right,

 

[thecichlidaddict]

A single Eheim pro would run your tank easily and efficiently. They are also extremely versatile and reliable, so you don't need the redundancy of two filters if you just go with one good one

There are of course, no rules of thumb that are reliable. Water flow depends on the type of filtration being used and of course what fish you will be keeping, and how many. Those 2x, 5x or 10x filtration rules are mostly loaded. For example you need a much higher flow with that internal fluval then with an eheim external to gain equal amounts of filtration. Lower flow filters can be, in fact, superior biological filters.

 

[gixer]

there are a lot more benefits for running 2 filters than just having one really good one IMO.

but thats just me

 

[LiQuOrIcE]

I think to start with, im gonna run my Fluval 3plus on one side & ill get a fluval 4 plus for the other side of the tank. Then in medical emergencies, i can just take the 3plus out and put it in another tank?

 

[Stryker]

In a medical emergency, I'm thinking your thinking ich, then chances are the filter will carry the contamination over to the hospital tank.

 

[Cheese Specialist]

In a medical emergency, I'm thinking your thinking ich, then chances are the filter will carry the contamination over to the hospital tank.

Ich should not be treated in a hospital tank, the whole tank should be treated.

 

[Nidge]

I use a fluval 4 and i think its a great filter and very powerfull, IMO you should have two filters in every tank in case one breaks down, with the two filters you suggested you will have more than enough filtration.

 

[jumpman]

I think the fluval internal is a good idea, especially to seed the tank. Also an external combined with this works well. I have an internal and external on two tanks i currently have running, and it works great.

Easier to put different media in the external if you wanted to....perhaps an eheim to supplement your internal fluval??

jump