Filters?

[philfista]

Hi all ,

What is the ultimate filter set up and media?

I.e undergravel, external, internal etc.

 

[JakeKM]

There is no ultimate fitler set up, Different filters serve different purposes.

 

[CAC]

There is no ultimate fitler set up, Different filters serve different purposes.

I beg to differ. A sump thats the same volume (or bigger) as the display tank is the ultimate filter IMO, and adding a large trickle tower is even better. It will do a better job than ANY undergravel filter IMO.

 

[Tolak]

There is no ultimate fitler set up, Different filters serve different purposes.

A large sump is probably the best fitration system for larger messy fish. It would never fly in a fry tank.

 

[CAC]

I wouldnt see the problem? Simply lower the flow rate on it, the huge sufface area of the media would be fine IMO.

 

[Tolak]

You would have to drop the flow rate to keep them from getting stuck to the sponge you would have to put over your overflow. Often fry need the confines of a smaller tank to find food, too large of a tank means they have a hard time finding food, and don't have the strength for hunting in a larger tank. You could have several small tanks on one sump, but then you get into the situation of one tank sick, all tanks sick. No doubt the surface area of the media would work out great.

Once they get a little larger a tank with a sump would work fine for growout. You could stock it to the water volume of the whole system. I have five 40 gallon tanks waiting to be set up that are already drilled with overflows, used gear, that I'm considering doing this with, as they will be used for growout.

The ultimate filtration depends on what you are trying to accomplish.

 

[CAC]

Ok, I see your point. I think for most fish other than fry or disformed fish that cannot swim well, then a sump is still the best way to, even if the flow is reduced for fish such as bettas.

 

[philfista]

Ok what im getting at is i have a 180 ltr tropical tank with an internal filter which is o.k ish. I feel i could have a better set up , but what , money is not the object . I want the best possible life and the cleanest tank for my fish,

There are so many filters, media about which is the best?

 

[Tolak]

What type & quantity of fish are you keeping, is noise a concern, is it planted, and what do you have for a substrate?

 

[philfista]

Hi,

I have 2 tiger balms, a male and female si fighter, 3 clowns, 2 guppies, 2 mollies, 2 crayfish , 1 cory , 1 common plec, 1 raphael catfish ,1 spotted catfish , 1 silver shark, 1 red tailed shark , 3 danios, 2 fish i cant remember lol, and an armo shrimp. Think thats it . They are all small so far , the plec being the biggest being about 3 inches.

I am going to upgrade when i buy a new house to a 300 ltr tank so im after a set up that will cope with ease. I feel my internal filter is not man enough for the job.

I have a few plants god knows what they are.

 

[Tolak]

You could go with a sump, that would require drilling this tank, and the next for an overflow. Any other overflow will leak eventually, and sometimes drastically.

If you want a filter that is a little easier to switch from tank to tank, an Eheim 2028 would work on the smaller tank with the flow reduced, then increase the flow for the larger tank. I would also suggest a powerhead with a pre-filter for the bottom if you don't have sand. This will keep the bottom clean, and keep the debris suspended so the canister can pick it up. You could also pack the existing filter with floss to act as a polishing filter.

For the canister I would go with the standard media sequence that comes with the filter, minus the carbon. The carbon is useless after a week or so, and there is no reason to clean the canister this often. If you do want to run carbon you can use the existing filter, or even set it up with the powerhead pre-filter.