Juwel Filters

[FishFingers]

Can anybody tell me if the Juwel in-built filter system and heaters are any good please ?

I have had the set-up for a couple of years now and the filter is not running as powerful as it has been so I suspect it could need replacing ?

I was thinking about replacing it with an external filter, can anybody tell me what the advantage/disadvantages are and any recommendations ??

Should I run both filters together for a couple of weeks ?

 

[gadazobe]

I have a juwel tank with an internal filter and I also run an external one on the tank. Whether you add an external one or not depends on a couple of factors. How many fish in the tank? and is it a heavily planted tank. If you have few fish and lots of plants, then the filter is ideal. If you have a lot of fish, then you should really run an external filter as well. Have you cleaned your filter? You can take it apart and make sure that the rotors inside are free spinning and not clogged up with gunk. I had no problem with the heater but changed it for a different one and have kept the original as a spare.
Why not add an external filter instead of replacing the original. I use one similar to a fluval which I find very good.

 

[AquaUK]

Just try to see if you can clean the impellor this could be what is slowing down the flow from the filter.

AS the above posts says if you do go for another filter make sure you run both together to ensure the new filter gets plently of good bacteria.

 

[Dragonslair]

Like gadazobe, I've a juwel aquarium but mine's in the bedroom. Very relaxing, better than watching TV. The filter is definitely quiet, but after a few months it has lost power. I have an external filter(cannister)supplementing juwels own filter.
The lighting is on a timer. So instead of counting sheep, I'm counting fish...how sad is that???

 

[CFC]

As Gadazobe was hinting on the juwel filters are actually designed with the European hobby in mind, lots of plants and just a few small fish. The powerheads have a slow turn over rate and the flter housing quickly becomes full of sludge if the tank has a heavy bio load so if you preffer to keep your tank more in the way of the English or American hobby where the fish are the main feature and plants just provide some decor then it is best to either run a second filter (internal or external), or remove the juwel one completely and run one large external filter.

 

[ryan]

I have three Juwel Tanks, two I run with the normal Juwel filter only and have been doing so for many years. The other the largest of my tanks also has an external filter, although I find their systems effective I much prefer to add on an external.

 

[DrOizo]

I have one little Juwel tank and it is heavily overstocked but it doesnt collect sludge. What did happen though was that the impeller became clogged and it was hardly working. After cleaning it started to work great again!!! The powerheads are too weak IMO but the filtration is good from the massive filter box

 

[FishFingers]

Thanks for all the advice

Think I'll give the impeller a good clean and see if there is an improvement. The tank is not overstocked (yet!) and there are few plants so I think I'll stick with the Juwel for the time being.

Cheers guys.....