Which Filter?

[littlelegs]

HI i hope you can help.

I have been keeping goldfish for approx 20 years. At the moment I am using a underwater filter (sits just below water level) in a 20g tank.

I am going to convert this to a tropical tank. What sort of filter is the best to use or can I carry on using this one?

Any help much appreciated TIA

 

[vic]

Hard to say without some information. The filter should have an hourly flow through capacity of between 7 and 10 times the tank volume. You may also need to address the issue of the tank temperature. Over filtration is not a sin! Tropicals like a little warmer environment than goldies.

 

[stang1]

I have a 20 gallon tank and use a Fluval 4+ filter. It is perhaps a little oversized for the size tank but I haven't had any problems with it. You could probably get away with a Fluval 2+ but it also depends on what size fish and what quantity of fish you are stocking.

 

[Nerwign]

I was recommended in another thread on these forums that a filter should cycle the water in the tank 1x per hour, but you say 7-10?

I just ordered a filter that does about 2x my tank volume every hour. Is that going to be insufficient??

-Nerwign

 

[Callum]

in your tank you could get away with a fluval 2+ but the best filtration are externals. these are easier to clean than internals but a little harder to set up and are more expensive. for my 20gallon i had a fluval 205 external which did the job well. what type of underwater filter are you using an under gravel or an internal? Also nerwign what filter have you ordered?

 

[andywg]

I was recommended in another thread on these forums that a filter should cycle the water in the tank 1x per hour, but you say 7-10?

I just ordered a filter that does about 2x my tank volume every hour. Is that going to be insufficient??

-Nerwign

The ideal amount is usually quoted as 4-5 times per hour. However most filters only give the flow rate without media. In cannisters you are lucky to get half this amount, and as such vic is correct in recommending that you look for one higher than this and 7-10 would not be a bad area to aim for.

Once per hour sounds closer to pond amounts to me.

 

[littlelegs]

hiya, i have a fluval 2 plus so at least i got the right one.

I bought a heater today.

So hopefully should be up and running in the next few days.

 

[Nerwign]

Thanks for the tips, I ordered the Eheim Eco 2234 for my 50gallon US tank. Do you think this is way too small?

-Nerwign

 

[Callum]

it isnt way too small but it is on the borderline really i always like to go oversize in case i upgrade + it offers much better filtration.

 

[Nerwign]

Thank you kindly for your suggestions. I won't be upgrading from the 50gal so my options are to keep the one I ordered or to return it and purchase the next size up. I will look over the return policy and such and see what I can get done.

-Nerwign

 

[Callum]

if you have the cash go for a pro there so much better