So.. many.. filters!

[Cromid]

So I’ve been using an APS 1400ef for a couple years on my 180Litre long planted tank. It’s heavily planted, no co2, and pretty well stocked, done a job and flow has always seemed ok, despite a couple dead spots lower down in the tank , but gets far too clogged too quickly, and as a result SO LOUD.
As a beginner when I first started this tank, I thought this filter seemed more than powerful enough, and cheap! Win win!
I’ve now come to realise this filter may not have the flow rate it claims, and the reason for it constantly getting clogged n needing cleaned. After all, it’s claiming a 1400 l/ph and it costs only £80.

Cleaning it is a mega pain too.

So I’m looking for a new canniter. First I looked at the fluvals, but now I’m thinking between the Oase Biomaster thermo 350, and the Aquael ultramax 2000.
I like the pre filters, and I like that the oase has a heater included.

But I’m struggling with flow size and which would be best!
I’ve seen posts stating they have “a 90Litre tank with the oase 600” which seems like a crazy amount of flow for a small tank.. so I’m alittle confused, would a 350 be ok? Would a 600 be best? The 600 might be abit out of my price range is all, so can I get away with the 350 without negatively impacting the tank

Any advice would be much appreciated!

 

[Cromid]

Also, if I do need the 600, potentially 2 x Fluval 307s would work out cheaper and offer more flow

 

[GaryE]

Most of the brand names are different where I am, but I can offer you my formula, for what it's worth. Calculate how much flow you need and want. That'll depend on the set up, and the fish.
Look at what the manufacturer says the flow is for their device.
Assume the filter will not be that good. If a filter is rated for a 40 gallon tank, it's good for a 20. Good for 100 gallons? Made for a 50. If two smaller canisters give better flow, then go for it. If at some point in the future one breaks down, you have one working. If the tank is large enough for the flow not to become wild turbulence, you've got it right.
If you have a tank with carefully arranged aquascaping and almost no fish, then you may calculate differently. I base my love of flow on the lakes, streams, rivers and brooks I've explored, and they all put our low rates of flow to shame.

 

[Cromid]

Most of the brand names are different where I am, but I can offer you my formula, for what it's worth. Calculate how much flow you need and want. That'll depend on the set up, and the fish.
Look at what the manufacturer says the flow is for their device.
Assume the filter will not be that good. If a filter is rated for a 40 gallon tank, it's good for a 20. Good for 100 gallons? Made for a 50. If two smaller canisters give better flow, then go for it. If at some point in the future one breaks down, you have one working. If the tank is large enough for the flow not to become wild turbulence, you've got it right.
If you have a tank with carefully arranged aquascaping and almost no fish, then you may calculate differently. I base my love of flow on the lakes, streams, rivers and brooks I've explored, and they all put our low rates of flow to shame.

Great point Gary! most of the fish in my tank are Amazon river fish, and the plants and scape is not a biotape but I’ve tried to include more plants and aesthetics from this region, and there’s definitely no way il get to the level of flow the fish would naturally find, so I’m sure as much flow as I can give them will be a good place to start!

And thanks for your point on the general calculation on gallon/flow too. That helps!

 

[Essjay]

The majority of filter manufacturers quote the flow rate of an empty filter. As soon as media is put in the filter the flow rate drops, sometimes significantly. APS used to have the reputation of being in the 'significantly' bracket.

 

[Uberhoust]

I am pretty happy with my Fluval 407 on my 75 gallon (275l ). I run it nearly at full flow but it is quiet and with a pre filter doesn't need much maintenance, I last cleaned the sponges in the filters about 3 months ago and at that time they were pretty clean. For me I find the pre filter as important as the main filter, I use a fine mesh bag with a spacer around the intake which allows the snails and fish to eat the food that would normally go into the filter. If I have too much debris on the pre filter I know I am feeding the fish too much.

I don't know about the fluvial 307 directly but that might have enough flow to filter your 180 gallon, the 407 definitely would. A spray bar goes a long way in reducing the current if that is a concern, but then so do some plants. I direct the outflow from my filter over jungle vals, by time the water is over the vals it has slowed a lot.