Filter for Discus Aquarium

[leslie123]

I'm researching the best filter for my 90 gallon aquarium, which will contain 4-5 discus, a shoal of cardinals or other tetras, and a few cory cats. Sand substrate, heavily planted, soft acidic water.

I am looking hard at the Eheim Classic 2215 canister, which (per Pet Warehouse) is recommended for up to 93 gallon aquariums. Pet Warehouse claims the pump output is 163 gph, flow rate 134 gph. Somewhere I read that the pump should circulate every gallon 2x/hour, which would indicate I needed a 180 flow rate - but this IS the size recommended for my 90-gallon tank. Is it the right size cannister?

Discus aren't fast-water fishes. They'd be happier, I think, with less flow -- but I need clean water.

Would this be the correct size Eheim filter? And if not -- what would you recommend? Or would you recommend something else entirely? Would the above design be sufficient, or would I need more?

Also, I couldn't tell from the description - can I add other filter materials to the Eheim 2215? Like charcoal, or peat (probably not needed with my naturally soft/acidic water) or ammo-carb, etc.

Thanks for your advise!
Leslie

 

[Cheese Specialist]

I wouldn't go for something that does just what you need. I'd probably also go for 2 filters, giving you more circulation. Especially with you having plants.

If you are in the UK, atman filters are very good IMO. I have one in my planted cube and use a spraybar for the discus. Mine was £60 and does 1000lph, I'd get 2 of those. My tank is 225l/50Uk galls and it's more than enough for that.

 

[leslie123]

Should I upgrade to the next size Eheim, then? (I"m in the USA). I personally prefer less current in my tanks. I've seen fish in tanks where they look like they're about to float away (so much current) and I don't want that.

Can I adjust the flow rate on the Eheim Classic? (If I get the next size up, then slow it down just a bit?)


Eheim 2215 // 2215
Suggested gallons: 93 gallons // 159 gallons
Pump rate: 163 gph // 263 gph
Flow rate: 134 gph // 209 gph

If the rule of thumb is to circulate 2x per hour (90 gallon aquarium * 2/hour = 180 gallons/hour) -- surely Eheim knows a lot more about circulation than I do. If they recommend the 2215 for up to 93 gallons, then the flow rate must be adequate ... right?

Maybe if I get the (smaller) Eheim Classic 2215 and add a biowheel? Or watch my ammonia/nitrates/nitrites and add a 2nd filter if it becomes necessary?

Am I worrying too much? I've heard good about the Eheim, and would like to get one; which size would you recommend for a 90 gallon aquarium?

Thanks!
Leslie

 

[sn8k]

Alot of this is going to depend on the head (the distance from the canister filter to the intake) - so you need to know just what distance that is to get an accurate measurment on how much flow the filter is going to have. So just because the literature says it's rated for a 90 gallon tank - you need to make sure that it fits within that design perameter.

I have a 90 gallon, but it's a show tank (48x14x30) so I opted for the Eheim 2028 because of the head (and the ability to control the flow). If flow becomes an issue (mine will also be a Dicus tank so flow is something that must be minimised as much as possible) - all I plan on doing is to attach an intake strainer to the end of the nozzle bar to difuse the flow (you can cut lengths of clear tubing that just fits inside of the intake strainer at the end of the nozzle bar to "fine tune" the system). You also have to keep in mind that some flow is neccessary for the health of the tank - but I know what you are talking about and agree... fish struggling to fight the flow is not a good thing. I'll also be running a Merlin fludized bed filter to suppliment the bio filtration, maybe a bit of overkill but having a backup is always a good thing IMO. As far as media in the Eheim - I'm just going to use the reccomended Ehfimech and Ehfisubstrat Pro 2 (not included with the unit). The filtering pads supplied should do an ample job of clarifying the water.

You'll get a lot of differing views on using carbon - but I feel you are OK as long as you regularly change it. Personally, I'll be using a UV sterlizer - but then again, you'll get a lot of differeing views on that too. I think the water quality/clarity and disease prevention offered by it outwiegths the drawbacks of the fish becoming less resillient to disease - I'm not going to breed them so this isn't a consideration for me.

BTW: I'd stay away from the biowheel unless you don't mind using a lot more CO2. It will offgass a lot of it with a biowheel or when using a wet/dry filtration system.

HTH

Mark K