I have a 425 lt (5*1.5*2)tank with three internal filters that give me a water cycle of about 5000 LPH. I want to replace all of these with one external. But I was not able to find a filter of that volume. Please tell me if there is any difference in the internal filter capacity and external ones. I mean if I can add a smaller external (1400 LPH is available) and will it have the same effect as three internals? Are external filters any way better than internals so that we can achieve the same filteration with smaller units?
Filter For Cichlid Tank
- Thread starter deogan
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thedc5
Fish Fanatic
I wouldn't say its that easy,flow rate is important but also not a great gage of a filters use.
filter volume should be thought about as the more volume the more media the more filtering etc.
Eheim 2217 are cheap but very good maybe a couple of those, again 2 is better than 1 as if anything fails you have a backup as such.
What's the stocking of the tank?
here's a review I found on google not great but you get the idea
http
/www.aquatic-eden.com/2006/09/eheim-2217.html
filter volume should be thought about as the more volume the more media the more filtering etc.
Eheim 2217 are cheap but very good maybe a couple of those, again 2 is better than 1 as if anything fails you have a backup as such.
What's the stocking of the tank?
here's a review I found on google not great but you get the idea
http
/www.aquatic-eden.com/2006/09/eheim-2217.htmlI have one oscar, parrot, salvini, upside down cat, red devil, severam, rainbow shark. Please advise what should be the ideal flow rate for an external for such a tank. I would also add one internal if required to move the water around.
thedc5
Fish Fanatic
I wouldn't get hung up on flo rates there pointless really as they are as far as im aware are measured by the motors in the filters not once the filter is running under full load with media etc so don't actually mean a lot.
2 2217's would run that tank or a big Fluval FX5 as they are messy fish (Oscar) but looking at your stocking I would think you will actually have problems there, I've never kept Oscars but from what I read about them they will dominate that tank on there own let alone with the others in there, might be worth asking a general Oscar question on here as they do get big 12"+ and are known to be aggressive tank mates.
As far as an internal to move the water around if you go with either of the above you will not need one the FX5 has 2 outputs and the eheims could be either end and they all push a lot of water.
2 2217's would run that tank or a big Fluval FX5 as they are messy fish (Oscar) but looking at your stocking I would think you will actually have problems there, I've never kept Oscars but from what I read about them they will dominate that tank on there own let alone with the others in there, might be worth asking a general Oscar question on here as they do get big 12"+ and are known to be aggressive tank mates.
As far as an internal to move the water around if you go with either of the above you will not need one the FX5 has 2 outputs and the eheims could be either end and they all push a lot of water.
The Oscar should be fine with that stocking in that tank, the Red devil or salvini are likely to be the more problematic species.
However, thats not what your asking. If you want a single external filter, then the FX5 or eheim 2080 would be more than sufficient for your stocking and volume, also fine for flow rate, the FX5 only has one outlet, but two nozzles on the outlet to point in whichever direction you want. The eheim has two intakes, one outlet.
However, as already mentioned, you may want to run two externals, in case of a single unit failure (not common but can happen), I currently run on approximately the same size tank, with heavy stocking (including Oscar, Severum etc) an eheim 2217 and a Tetratec EX1200, I find I prefer double externals as opposed to one, each external on either end, I find it leaves less blank spots in the tank, but its just my preference.
However, thats not what your asking. If you want a single external filter, then the FX5 or eheim 2080 would be more than sufficient for your stocking and volume, also fine for flow rate, the FX5 only has one outlet, but two nozzles on the outlet to point in whichever direction you want. The eheim has two intakes, one outlet.
However, as already mentioned, you may want to run two externals, in case of a single unit failure (not common but can happen), I currently run on approximately the same size tank, with heavy stocking (including Oscar, Severum etc) an eheim 2217 and a Tetratec EX1200, I find I prefer double externals as opposed to one, each external on either end, I find it leaves less blank spots in the tank, but its just my preference.
thedc5
Fish Fanatic
Sorry always thought the fx5 had 2 outputs!
On a side note im sure I read somewhere about an FX5 vs an Eheim something im not going to say what as I cant remember, think it was on PFK but anyway the point was the flow of the fx5 was superior to the eheim but because the eheim had a bigger media capacity it cycled the test tank quicker in effect making it a better byo filter etc, I guess its a trade off but as above I run 2 as well just in case.
EDIT: ok cant link its on monster fish keepers search for fx5 and it was against a 2080
On a side note im sure I read somewhere about an FX5 vs an Eheim something im not going to say what as I cant remember, think it was on PFK but anyway the point was the flow of the fx5 was superior to the eheim but because the eheim had a bigger media capacity it cycled the test tank quicker in effect making it a better byo filter etc, I guess its a trade off but as above I run 2 as well just in case.
EDIT: ok cant link its on monster fish keepers search for fx5 and it was against a 2080
so I go by your advise. Though my present internal filters cycle the tank at about 10X. I think as advised by you, one external Eheim 2080 would be sufficient. I will remove all the internals. Please advise if this is ok.
You DO NOT want to remove the internals until the external has cycled, so run the internals AS WELL as the external for at least the first four weeks together, all your beneficial bacteria is in the filter media in your internals. Alternatively take out the filter media (sponges/balls etc) from the internals and put it all in the external filter or you will end up cycling the tank again with fish in it, which would be very harmful to them. Hope that all makes sense.
I installed the Eheim 2080 yesterday. It is a big filter. It came with two filter pads one coarse and one fine. Apart from that it has three empty trays. Please advise what can I fill those with? My idea was ceramic rings and plastic bio balls.
zesty
Fish Fanatic
I have just got the same filter as you but I ordered the Eheim substrat pro to go with it as this includes all the media you need for the filter. I think there are cheaper alternatives though.
zesty
Fish Fanatic
Think the ceramic rings and bio balls are fine but dont think you should use carbon. As far as I know most people on here only suggest using carbon for removing meds from the tank, carbon only remains active for a short amount of time and would then need replacing. I think you should fill the 3 trays using the bio balls and ceramic rings.
bitteraspects
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You really don't need different kinds of bio media. Just rings or just balls would work all the same.
As mentioned above, ditch the carbon. You don't need it.
As mentioned above, ditch the carbon. You don't need it.
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