How Many Eventually More To External Filter?

[boshk]

How many of you end up switching from internal to external filter? on the same tank or new bigger tank?
 
I'm a complete beginner still, I thought I did plenty of research but the more I read on forum or magazine, the more I think 'maybe I should have done it this way'
 
I spent a lot of time searching advice and info on 'starter kit' tank like Fluval Roma, Eheim, etc, ended up with Juwel Rio 125 which I think is great.
I just started fishless cycle, haven't even got a reading of bacteria yet and I'm already thinking, maybe I should have sold/traded the starter kit Bioflow 3 filter for an external filter right from the start, like an Eheim or Cascade 1000.
 
 

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I just got my first ever canister filter in the last 6months or so. Absolutely love it and have no clue how I ever lived without one. Which reminds me that I need to clean it. Next weekend.

 

[NickAu]

I went from internal to canister on my Betta and Kuhli Loach tank, I also love it, I just cleaned mine because it was starting to make noises, I would never again use an internal.
 
I have 3 of these
http/www.ebay.com/itm/Biopro-Aquarium-Fish-Tank-Aqua-Water-External-Sponge-Canister-Pump-Filter-/191507960826?var=&hash=item2c96c393fa:m:m8F9TQv9dth-OQcwQAHsDwg
 
2, 1200 lph on a 100 gallon tank.
1, 800 lph on my 2 foot Betta tank.
 
I just ordered a canister filter for my 20 litre shrimp cube.
http/www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-External-Canister-Filter-Table-Top-Nano-Fresh-Salt-Aquarium-SUNSUN-602B-/281109431274
 
Throw in a plastic ball valve on the return line and you can control the current in the tank easily.
http/image.made-in-china.com/43f34j00neFasPjRrtiN/True-Union-Ball-Valve-Plastic-Ball-Valve-PVC-Ball-Valve-Q61F-.jpg

 

[Fishmanic]

How often do you have to clean and/or replace media in a cannister.. I have hob filters and replace a third of my media and clean the rest about every 2 weeks

 

[NickAu]

I have sintered glass media ( BIOHOME Filter Media | Genesis Group International) and all I do is rinse it in old tank water,
I clean mine every 2 or so months.

 

[nortonmad213]

i had an internal for about a month for my 25l but realised it took up too much space so bought an ehiem canister and never looked back its brilliant

 

[Akasha72]

I'm the other way. I've had several tanks - I've worked my way up from a little hexagonal tank to a 50 litre, then a 110 litre (Juwel Rekord 800), then up to a  Juwel Rio180 and finally stopped with my Juwel Rio 240.
 
The early tanks had internal filters and the Rekord 800 was the best filter of the lot. The 180 and 240 were bought second hand and had already had the original filters removed and so I was forced into externals. I do like the externals that I've got (JBL Crystalprofi e901 x 2) but they worry me ... I worry about leaks all the time even though I've only had a minor leak once and that was because I'd not put it back together properly after a clean!
 
I have a plan hatching. I'm on a waiting list to move from my rented first floor flat into a ground floor and I've saved up enough to buy a brand new Rio 240 and I will be leaving the internal filter in. That way I can stop worrying about the externals failing and flooding my home 

 

[boshk]

I'm the other way. I've had several tanks - I've worked my way up from a little hexagonal tank to a 50 litre, then a 110 litre (Juwel Rekord 800), then up to a  Juwel Rio180 and finally stopped with my Juwel Rio 240.
 
The early tanks had internal filters and the Rekord 800 was the best filter of the lot. The 180 and 240 were bought second hand and had already had the original filters removed and so I was forced into externals. I do like the externals that I've got (JBL Crystalprofi e901 x 2) but they worry me ... I worry about leaks all the time even though I've only had a minor leak once and that was because I'd not put it back together properly after a clean!
 
I have a plan hatching. I'm on a waiting list to move from my rented first floor flat into a ground floor and I've saved up enough to buy a brand new Rio 240 and I will be leaving the internal filter in. That way I can stop worrying about the externals failing and flooding my home 

never thought of it that way......
its a very good valid point, especially if there is no one in the house or flat for most of the day.

 

[Akasha72]

and especially when your on the first floor and you don't get along with your neighbour
 
 
In all honesty the Juwel build quality is top notch and their filters are well designed and easy to maintain. Why people want to rip them out and buy an external to replace it is beyond me! The clever design of the filter box that also houses the heater is genious and with some clever planting there's no reason to see the box in the back corner.
If you go external you've then either got to look at an ugly heater (and the concern about fish burning themselves on it too) or you spend more cash and fit an external heater too. It doesn't make sense to me
 
 
Sorry, not meaning to be offensive just my general thoughts

 

[eaglesaquarium]

and especially when your on the first floor and you don't get along with your neighbour

 
 
In all honesty the Juwel build quality is top notch and their filters are well designed and easy to maintain. Why people want to rip them out and buy an external to replace it is beyond me! The clever design of the filter box that also houses the heater is genious and with some clever planting there's no reason to see the box in the back corner.
If you go external you've then either got to look at an ugly heater (and the concern about fish burning themselves on it too) or you spend more cash and fit an external heater too. It doesn't make sense to me
 
 
Sorry, not meaning to be offensive just my general thoughts

 
Nothing offensive there, just sharing your opinion, and your view is as valid as anyone else's.  We all have different tastes.  I like the extra space in my tank, so an external works for me, but the heater is a concern.  I've never NOT had a heater that I had to camouflage, so its not something that ever occurs to me.  
 
And Juwel's aren't available in the US, as far as I know, so their full design is quite foreign to me.  Interesting take you have on them.  I'm a little sorry I don't have that option now.   

 

[boshk]

I just did a water change in my tank causing my messed up my cycle pH...long story. 
 
Anyway, the internal filter housing.....is GREAT for pouring water back into tank. I took filter media out and pour the new water directly into the filter housing, didn't disturb any of the soil.

 

[Far_King]

I prefer external.
 
I have Internal running on my Q/t tank.  2x internal on my 25litre betta tank.
 
My others are all external cannister including my 13l shrimp tank

 

[nick1986]

Iv just got a Fluval 206 and I'm made up with it very quiet and good flow only my second filter and my second tank still cycling it didn't know what to put in it so I asked here but from what I can tell works perfectly.


http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/439979-fluval-206-filter-best-media-to-put-in/

 

[boshk]

I prefer external.
 
I have Internal running on my Q/t tank.  2x internal on my 25litre betta tank.
 
My others are all external cannister including my 13l shrimp tank

I heard for shrimp, external with added screening of intake and sponge are the best right?

 

[NickAu]

 
I heard for shrimp, external with added screening of intake and sponge are the best right?

Yes its a good idea to screen the intake because if you dont next time you clean your canister you will find a bunch of the little boogers living in the bottom of the canister quite happily .