Small Filter Advice Please

[myrtle]

Hi, I have just set up a 28l tank for my 3 African Dwarf frogs. At the moment I'm running a Rena Filstar 100 in there but it's the one I normally keep as an emergency spare as it doesn't stick to the glass for long! I'm looking for advice on a small internal with an adjustable flow rate as the frogs need as little current as I can manage. I originally thought of a sponge filter but there would be too much surface movement and the vibrations from the air pump wouldn't suit them. Any ideas? I'm not used to researching internals, all my others are external so I'm on kind of new ground here!

 

[Joshwainwright]

Potentially the Fluval U1 internal filter as I think there is a setting where the water flow is minimized by it being spread out more as it is emitted. I know the U3 has this feature and seeing as it's the same range of filter I suppose it will have something similar.

 

[myrtle]

Yeah, I looked at the U1 but wasn't sure whether the flow could be turned down sufficiently. There is so little flow that you can barely see the movement of the water and I think the U1 is rated for a tank twice the size which would be great in any other situation but leads me to think I may still have to much flow with it...

 

[Joshwainwright]

Hmm, is a sponge filter completely out of the picture? I don't think the pump would cause so much vibration that it would be visible in the water...

 

[SlimboyFat]

Just taken a look at the instructions and it seems that the U1 does not have the underwater spray bar so you would have to go for the U2.

I have the U4 which you can not see a lot of water movement when it is switched to the spray bar but just because you can't see it doesn't mean its not there.

The U1 does have a flow control but I do not know how low it can go.

 

[myrtle]

Sorry, I didn't put that too well, it was the streams of bubbles bursting on the surface that I was thinking about causing the vibration. I suppose I can always try one, it'll come in handy for fry tanks if it's no good for the frogs and they're not expensive..

Without the spraybar I could always point the outlet towards the glass to diffuse it.
I'll have a scout around at the weekend, see what's about.

 

[Joshwainwright]

Some sponge filters don't actually cause bubbles to burst on the surface. There are a number of them on eBay that have what is more or less a "chimney" where the air escapes.

Have a look for yourself
http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/SINGLE-SPONGE-FILTER-LARGE-SURFACE-AREA-/330534240597?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item4cf5604155

 

[JoshuaA]

The Fluval U1 does have a flow adjustment which can reduce flow a lot, especially once the sponge starts to catch debris the flow is dramatically reduced. ( I have a spare unused one ), great filter just need to make sure you clean it a lot since it is only one solid sponge alone.

You can always try a HOB filter and make sure you fill the water level up to the lip of the HOB filter minimizing disturbances in the water.

 

[myrtle]

Thanks for all the input, I may get both the U1 and the sponge filter (thanks for the link Josh!) and see which works best. It never hurts to have more than one spare filter!

 

[Carlovel1]

Not internal but what about this:
http/www.allpondsolutions.co.uk/aquarium-filters/aquarium-external-filters/aquarium-external-filter-150-l-h.html
Looks like it has gentle flow

 

[ian]

also http/www.fish-fish-fish.com/azoo-mignon-filter-150.html

^^great little HOB.

 

[myrtle]

Thanks Carl and Ian, they both look good. I can't see whether the flow is adjustable on the first one though and I'm not sure how I'd fit a hob filter as the tank is an Aquastart 320 and has one of those close fitting lids that is hinged at the back. Ideal to stop froggies from acidentally jumping out, but leaves no space for a hob filter but perfect in every other respect

. I've not made a decision yet as I haven't been paid so I'll keep searching.
Thanks guys.
Jo