Set Up Question

[webbedfeet]

Ive been fishkeeping for over 35 years and have always used internal filters. but i now would like to try one of the external filters that sit on the back lip of the aquarium.These seem to be popular in the States as ive seen quite a few You Tube tutorial clips using this type of filter.But one thing puzzles me, whats the best way to set up my lighting if the aquarium is partly open, are there hoods that cater for these filters as i dont really want a light source hanging over an open tank and is evaporation a problem with this type of set up.Like i said ive always used internal filters but am never satisfied because i can never really hide the filter in the aquarium and figured the clip on types are out of sight and more pleasing on the eye, any thoughts on the subject would be welcome.BTW i am in England

 

[fluttermoth]

I don't know if there are actual hoods, but it would be a simple matter to cut a bit out to fit a hang on back type filter.

I have to say though, I'm not a big fan of HOB filters. They need to be quite small and so don't have a lot of room for media. I'd go for a proper canister type external, if I were you.

 

[Bazaman]

I live in Canada and most of the tanks that are avaible in the petstores around me sell tanks with the filters that hang on the back, our hoods are made so there is a spot for the filter to go. i have 7 tanks running with this set-up and 1 with a canister. for eveaporation i find it all depends on where in my apartment the tanks are set-up. 4 tanks in one room and 4 in another. the tanks about 10 feet away from each other and i have one that is in the middle of the room that loses a lot of water and the other that is close to a elctric baseboard lose pretty much nothing. I don't know if that answers any of your questions or not but i do find the filters that hang on the back to be very nice and i only have one out of 8 tanks that i really notice evaporation with.