New External Filter

[adsturgeon]

Hi,

I have doubts on my internal filter for my Juwel Rio 125 tank. I'm wanting to buy an external filter just because it will do a better job.

I was just wondering about which one to get for a 125 litre tank, obviously I want to not spend any more then £80.00 and one which would be readily available in a LFS.

If anyone could please help me this would be great, and obviously I would prefer one which used the same media or ways to get the bacteria across from the internal to the external.

Sorry I am a bit n00bish.

Please Help!

And thanks!

 

[kizno1]

I would go for the fluval 405. Great filters imo and you could just put ome of the mature media in one of the baskets.

 

[adsturgeon]

I would go for the fluval 405. Great filters imo and you could just put ome of the mature media in one of the baskets.

Thank you so much! Any other suggestions just wanna see the different advice!

 

[mattlee]

rena xp3. excellent filter

 

[SimoUK]

rena xp3. excellent filter

The XP3 would be overkill for a 120 litre tank? the XP2 would be more than enough. I have the XP2 and it is an excellent filter! Never seen one n an LFS though.

 

[mattlee]

rena xp3. excellent filter

The XP3 would be overkill for a 120 litre tank? the XP2 would be more than enough. I have the XP2 and it is an excellent filter! Never seen one n an LFS though.

no such thing as too much filtration and if an upgraded tank was purchased then the filter would suit. i run an xp3 and a fx5 on a 240L and its great

 

[OldMan47]

On a small tank like that I have found an XP1 is all I really need. We are only talking about a 35 gallon tank right? I use an XP2 on a 55 gallon and it does a very nice job of caring for my fish. There is no such thing as too much filtration but there is such a thing as far too much flow. That is what an XP3 will give you. I run an XP3 on a 120 gallon tank, not 120 litres.

 

[mattlee]

On a small tank like that I have found an XP1 is all I really need. We are only talking about a 35 gallon tank right? I use an XP2 on a 55 gallon and it does a very nice job of caring for my fish. There is no such thing as too much filtration but there is such a thing as far too much flow. That is what an XP3 will give you. I run an XP3 on a 120 gallon tank, not 120 litres.

but the flow can be reduced and if needed at a later date on a bigger tank, which most of us do eventually, then there is no expense of a new filter to go along with the tank.... my xp3 wasnt good enough for my 55G alone in my eyes. great filter but very slow flow for the rating.

 

[raptorrex]

rena xp3. excellent filter

or an Ehein 2017. neither will have too much flow for your tank. though some will suggest so!

 

[OldMan47]

Check your installation on that XP2 filter Mattlee. Mine blows the fish around in a 55. One thing that may be tripping you up is trying to leave some extra hose above what is recommended. Even the rather stiff hose that comes with those filters will easily get a flow restricting kink in it if you don't trim it as short as they recommend.

 

[adsturgeon]

Thanks for your help guys! I was just wondering how could I get the bacteria from the internal filter to the external filter? Would it be a case of just moving the media over or is there an alternative method without having to cycle the tank again?

Thanks

 

[OldMan47]

Moving the media is one way to do it but I simply clean a filter in a new tank that has a new filter, I just did that today. It makes the new tank a bit messy but gives the new filter a nice head start on cycling.

 

[adsturgeon]

But won't the bacteria be established and course massive ammonia spikes, along with eventually nitrite spikes? Just curious.

Thanks!

 

[mattlee]

if you dont want to use the internal and external together then just place the media from the internal into 1 of the baskets inside the external and the new filter will have enough bacteria for your current stocking. if you put the already mature media from the old filter into the new filter then put it in the lowest basket possible so the flow of water through the the external will push the bacteria throught the new uncycled media in the baskets above. if you go for a rena xp3 then the bottom basket is filled with sponges provided with the filter so i would place the cycled media in the 2nd basket and cover with new media, then in the 3rd basket fill again with new media and then top it off with floss.
your filter will be fine with your current stocking but i would just keep an eye on the water stats for a few days and possibly feed lightly just to be safe and extra cautious
if the new filter is for a 2nd tank then doing what oldman said will give the new tank and filter a great boost towards its cycle

 

[kaivalagi]

I'm running a All Pond Solutions 1000lph filter on my 125L roma, and at £50 I'm very happy with it

Just thought I'd throw that in there