What Filter For My 180l Tank?

[philb]

Im just setting up a new cichlid tank, and have a fluval 4+ filter sitting waiting to be added. But i dont think this will be sufficent for a cichlid tank of this size so am goin to keep this new in box!

Any suggestions on a new or second hand filter to look out for? preferable external, to keep the space inside the tank free!

Any suggestions would be great!

 

[Squid]

Im just setting up a new cichlid tank, and have a fluval 4+ filter sitting waiting to be added. But i dont think this will be sufficent for a cichlid tank of this size so am goin to keep this new in box!

Any suggestions on a new or second hand filter to look out for? preferable external, to keep the space inside the tank free!

Any suggestions would be great!

I have a community tank at present, which i would like to change to a Cichlid tank. My tank is 180L aswell, and has an eheim proffessional II 2026 external filter, which I have been told would be good for a cichlid tank, as it is suitable for tanks up to 90 gallons, and so will over-filter to an extent. (if there is such a thing!).

They are however not the cheapest filters, but eheim do have cheaper alternatives. others use Fluval external filters, but this comes down to personal choice. Although, i have heard very few complaints from eheim users.

Hope that helps.

Squid

 

[denis coghlan]

Hi philb

I have a mbuna setup in a rio 180. The filtration on the tank is as follows:

The external filter is a Tetra ex700, this "as the name suggests" has a flow of 700lph.
The juwel internal filter has a flow of 600lph.

Thus the combined flow will be 1300lph or a complete tank turn over 7.2 times every hour or 174 times a day. From what I have read, the ideal filtration for a fully stocked cichlid tank is 5 complete tanks cycles per hours. But I would definitely encourage you go for more than this especially if you are going to try for a high stocking density.

edit: Just read your other post regarding suggestions for external filters. I highly recommend Tetratec externals. I have two and they both work very well and I've never had any problems.

 

[Ferris]

I'd second the reccommendation for the Eheim 2026 II, a very good filter - not cheap though. Fluval 405 is also very good and a more reasonable price.

 

[Druchii]

Hi philb

I have a mbuna setup in a rio 180. The filtration on the tank is as follows:

The external filter is a Tetra ex700, this "as the name suggests" has a flow of 700lph.
The juwel internal filter has a flow of 600lph.

Thus the combined flow will be 1300lph or a complete tank turn over 7.2 times every hour or 174 times a day. From what I have read, the ideal filtration for a fully stocked cichlid tank is 5 complete tanks cycles per hours. But I would definitely encourage you go for more than this especially if you are going to try for a high stocking density.

edit: Just read your other post regarding suggestions for external filters. I highly recommend Tetratec externals. I have two and they both work very well and I've never had any problems.

Just a question - do people work on the pretense that what it says by the manufactures wording on the side or by real life testing??

i say this as i have got 2 x Fluval 404's which in theory should get me 2600 lph (10 times filtration on my 260litre tank) hence why i over stock but actual figures of each are about 500 lph meaning a total of 1000 lph hence only 4 times)

Sorry not a hijack, but a cry to find out if the 5 times filtration is based on theorectical or actual flow rates

 

[denis coghlan]

Hi Druchii,

I tested the EX 700 when I got it first to see if it did in fact circulate 700lph (this is with media in place). And true to the manufactures word it did turn over this volume. On the other hand, I couldn't check the internal filter on the juwel as its more difficult to do. But I did test the power head on its own and it did under perform so I can only assume that it would work slower when pulling water through the filter media.


but to answer

but a cry to find out if the 5 times filtration is based on theorectical or actual flow rates

I couldnt tell you is the simplest answer!!!

 

[Ferris]

For anyone with a Jewel internal filter i can reccommend the 1500 powerhead. Even the Vision 450 doesn't come with this, you just get the 1000. Makes a world of difference.

Costs about £40 but it really boosts the filter output.

 

[adambrum]

eheim is without the best but the most expensive just my personal opion but i dont like the fluvals, I have a rena xp3 on a 200l tank and i cant find any faults i also have the fluval+4 to keep spare media for fry tanks when i need them.

 

[jumpman]

I would also recommend an additional Eheim external filter...always the best and very reliable. You can pick them up pretty cheap second hand and online sometimes too. Any of the professional or the classic canister ones work very well....

 

[Nick Sw]

Just a question - do people work on the pretense that what it says by the manufactures wording on the side or by real life testing??

i say this as i have got 2 x Fluval 404's which in theory should get me 2600 lph (10 times filtration on my 260litre tank) hence why i over stock but actual figures of each are about 500 lph meaning a total of 1000 lph hence only 4 times)

Sorry not a hijack, but a cry to find out if the 5 times filtration is based on theoretical or actual flow rates

Justin that figure they quote on the Fluval 404 your talking about is the pump output in LPH. (check the instructions) I agree though it`s not clear what actual flow rates are to be achieved.

If you`ve tested your filter in situ. it`s working against gravity pushing all the water to the top of the tank along with the flow being obstructed by the media.

The Fluval 404 has a Filter circulation quoted at 850 lph. Whether this means the filter in situ. with media or without I do not know.

I think I`m going to invest in a Tetratec EX1200 to add to a Fluval 305.

PFK recently ran an article reviewing External filters and non of this was mentioned instead a load of rubbish experiments were performed !

 

[davisef]

I STRONGLY recommend a wet/dry or trickle filter down below. With a tank this size, you need massive filtration. I use a wet/dry set up in a sump with an overflow on the tank. It is the best filter I've ever had. The water is always crystal clear. I have a simple HOB filter for adding carbon, etc., but the wet/dry does all of the biological filtration, and all of my heaters and mechanics are down below for a nice open tank design. PM me with any questions.

Thanks,

Eric