Filter suggestions for my first Ada Mini S?

atom · 09-09-2012, 07:23 AM

Hi everyone,

I just purchased an Ada Mini-S and will be using it mostly for shrimp and micro rasboras.

I'm at a total lost for filtration. What does everyone else use?

I can't really afford a a canister filter, but I've looked into Zoo Med 501, Toms Rapids or Finnex PX 360 so far. They seem to get mixed reviews. Is Eheim really the way to go?

How about HOB or internal filters? I'd hate to ruin the beautiful clean look of the tank with a bulky filter, but they seem more affordable and I can maybe hide them behind plants.

- AquaClear 20 - even this is big for my taste
- Azoo Palm Filter - its nice and small, but can't find it locally.
- Elite Mini - doesn't offer much for media
- Aqua Nova internal filter 300

Would love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks.

Couesfanatic · 09-09-2012, 07:59 AM

The eheim 2211 is nice, thats what I have on my Mini S. But if you want to stay cheaper then I would go with the toms or the zoo med. Yes the Eheim is nice, but its much easier for cleaning with a filter that can sit on the desk next to the tank.

atom · 09-09-2012, 08:37 AM

Are you saying the eheim can't stay on the same surface?

freph · 09-09-2012, 02:49 PM

It's recommended to have them below the water line of the tank. Besides, why have a filter on your desk if you don't have to?

Couesfanatic · 09-09-2012, 04:11 PM

Yes, its nice to have them out of the way, but that makes for more work when cleaning the filter. I have to disconnect at the disconnects and feed the tubing up and around the back of the desk. This is after draining the water from the tubing. After cleaning I have to hook it back up and then fill the tubing with water from a spray bottle to get it primed.

It's just easier when it sits on your desk. You unplug the thing and take the whole thing(filter and tubing) over to the sink for cleaning.

Also when the filter is below the tank, you should have holes cut for the tubing to go straight down through. I don't and I have the tubing constantly turning on me because of the weird angle to go behind the desk.

atom · 09-09-2012, 04:52 PM

What about the Toms Rapids Canister? I read that it loses it suction if placed below the tank and it's got hose issues....can those be replaced/fixed?

Dimensions for the eheim 2211 or 2213?

Couesfanatic · 09-09-2012, 06:17 PM

I'm sure they can be replaced. I have no personal experience with that filter.

09-09-2012, 07:23 AM	#1
atom Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 207	Filter suggestions for my first Ada Mini S? Hi everyone, I just purchased an Ada Mini-S and will be using it mostly for shrimp and micro rasboras. I'm at a total lost for filtration. What does everyone else use? I can't really afford a a canister filter, but I've looked into Zoo Med 501, Toms Rapids or Finnex PX 360 so far. They seem to get mixed reviews. Is Eheim really the way to go? How about HOB or internal filters? I'd hate to ruin the beautiful clean look of the tank with a bulky filter, but they seem more affordable and I can maybe hide them behind plants. - AquaClear 20 - even this is big for my taste - Azoo Palm Filter - its nice and small, but can't find it locally. - Elite Mini - doesn't offer much for media - Aqua Nova internal filter 300 Would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks.

09-09-2012, 07:59 AM	#2
Couesfanatic Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (17/100%) Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: WA Posts: 1,247	The eheim 2211 is nice, thats what I have on my Mini S. But if you want to stay cheaper then I would go with the toms or the zoo med. Yes the Eheim is nice, but its much easier for cleaning with a filter that can sit on the desk next to the tank. __________________ ADA Mini M Journal

09-09-2012, 02:49 PM	#4
freph Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (13/100%) Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Fayetteville, NC Posts: 2,112	It's recommended to have them below the water line of the tank. Besides, why have a filter on your desk if you don't have to? __________________ 20L - Mini M

09-09-2012, 04:11 PM	#5
Couesfanatic Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (17/100%) Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: WA Posts: 1,247	Yes, its nice to have them out of the way, but that makes for more work when cleaning the filter. I have to disconnect at the disconnects and feed the tubing up and around the back of the desk. This is after draining the water from the tubing. After cleaning I have to hook it back up and then fill the tubing with water from a spray bottle to get it primed. It's just easier when it sits on your desk. You unplug the thing and take the whole thing(filter and tubing) over to the sink for cleaning. Also when the filter is below the tank, you should have holes cut for the tubing to go straight down through. I don't and I have the tubing constantly turning on me because of the weird angle to go behind the desk. __________________ ADA Mini M Journal

09-09-2012, 06:17 PM	#7
Couesfanatic Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (17/100%) Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: WA Posts: 1,247	I'm sure they can be replaced. I have no personal experience with that filter. __________________ ADA Mini M Journal

09-09-2012, 08:37 AM	#3
atom Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 207	Are you saying the eheim can't stay on the same surface?

09-09-2012, 04:52 PM	#6
atom Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 207	What about the Toms Rapids Canister? I read that it loses it suction if placed below the tank and it's got hose issues....can those be replaced/fixed? Dimensions for the eheim 2211 or 2213?

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