Which External Filter And Medium?

[Bradders]

I'm starting from scratch and therefore want to set up African Cichlid tank as effectively as possible. Having read a number of members comments to date there is clearly a wealth of experience online. Can anyone suggest which external filter (and medium) would be best to buy? Or is there an information site I could go to? Shops obviously recommend what they sell so appear to be somewhat biased. Also I've read it would be better to get two smaller filters rather than one big one (ease of cleaning etc) - any views? The tank I've ordered is 220 litres and I'm intending to keep a number of Protomelas cf. taeniolatus (Red Empress) and a variant of Aulonocara stuartgranti. Thanks in advance.

 

[brewyn]

hello bradders. you would be best advised to go for the best you can afford, you want to look at a pump that pumps at a ratio of 600 ltr an hour or more, 3 times what your tank can hold. one good external I feel would be far better than two internals plus it wont take up valuable space in your tank. I personaly use fluval and eheim,both good filters in my opinion but the fluval is much more powerful and would greatly assist when it comes to oxoginating your water. with regards to the media you would be ok with the different graded sponges plus alfagrog which will polish the water. this is what I use and it works a treat.

 

[mamafish68]

this is where we split hairs... I'm a hob kinda gal (hang on back filter) myself, known too many people to neglect their canisters and they can become amonia makers and you have a huge mess on your hands.

I prefer the AQUA CLEAR FILTER, with sponges, biomax medium, you can clean/change one while theother is running fine and no bacterial loss at all. alternating cleaning so your bacterial colony never gets damaged.

 

[breezer40]

Nearly all my tanks have fluval externals and I have never had a problem. Do have one eheim but which never rated it as highly as the fluvals even though they are supposed to be better.

 

[Ferris]

I use eheim pro2's (2026) and fluval 205's. Both external and both good but the eheim is much better in design, build quality and functionality IMO. But then its twice the price so i guess you get what you pay for.

I have fluval + 4's (internal) on my 55gal, which are cheap and cheerful and very simple to use and clean. For thr price they are excellent internal filters.

 

[mamafish68]

why was this moved???
how ridiculous can some people be?

he came in asked for info but now that ? has been moved and what if he's not interested in tracking down the thread again so he doesnt come back??

my god what a pita

 

[andywg]

why was this moved???
how ridiculous can some people be?

he came in asked for info but now that ? has been moved and what if he's not interested in tracking down the thread again so he doesnt come back??

my god what a pita

It's been moved to the appropriate area. What would be the point of having a dedicated hardware forum if hardware questions, like these, were not put there?

I myself would go for an eheim external. I have had fluval externals, never again. I don't like them leaking and never priming. And Eheims just last.

I wouldn't like a HOB filter as much as they take more room and look unsightly on the tank. If someone is not going to maintain a cannister then they are just as likely to not maintain a HOB (and a filter cannot become an ammonia rpoducer, it can become a nitrate factory however if the media is not cleaned out properly, such as washing the mechanical sponges under the tap).

 

[dthoffsett]

I have a 75gal w/a Fluval 404 and an Aquaclear 70, and I love both of them. I'm not sure why some people have had problems w/the fluval cannisters, I have 2 of them and I think they're great, no leaking or priming problems. But anyways, brands aside, I'd always make sure I have a combination of filters, just in case one breaks, and get the best you can afford.

 

[Bradders]

I have a 75gal w/a Fluval 404 and an Aquaclear 70, and I love both of them. I'm not sure why some people have had problems w/the fluval cannisters, I have 2 of them and I think they're great, no leaking or priming problems. But anyways, brands aside, I'd always make sure I have a combination of filters, just in case one breaks, and get the best you can afford.

Oops! sorry if this went into the wrong area. Mamafish just to put your mind at rest I did keep fish 5 years ago using external filters (eheim at that time) and always maintained them. Gave fish up as it was a choice between spending the time on my hobby or seeing more of my wife!
I'm sure i made the right choice and convinced her that a return to the hobby is warranted (she probably wants to see less of me now!!). Some good tips on this thread - I've found a local stockist of all brands so I'll go and have a look with all comments in mind.