Filter Question

Alexiel · 10-15-2003, 01:11 AM

Which type of filter is the best for a 55 gallon planted tank. I have fish in this tank and i don't want to hurt the fish. Right now I have an undergravel filter and a basic overhead one.

Guttboy · 10-15-2003, 01:19 AM

Hi and welcome!

First off what you have will not hurt your fish assuming that your overhead one is not sucking up your fish now :lol: .

For planted tanks you will probably find that UGF's are NOT the way to go. Too many roots getting messed up in there when they get going.

Alot of people here use Cannister filters such as the Eheim products or the Rena FILSTAR XP series. Others use AQUACLEAR filters that hang on the back.

These will not harm fish at all...however, if you are trying to raise babies (fry) then you will need some sort of barrier to increase the surface area of the intake thus reducing the "suction" so that they wont get ingested into the filter.

That help a bit?

Mike

Alexiel · 10-16-2003, 01:36 AM

yes that helps alot. are those filters avail. every where or special order?

DLeDeaux · 10-16-2003, 01:54 AM

I have had experience with 3 basic filter types.

When I was 12 I had a tank that had an undergravel filter. The only plants I had were some anacharis I found at our local lake. At that time I had no knowledge of any other filter types, and wasn't too concerned with it making a meager $10 every week from allowance. But looking back fondly on those days I can recall some things I didn't really like about it. Mainly the fact that I went through several air pumps. The flappers in the air pumps always seemed to go out and then they would get noisy. In general though they were always noisy with the air bubbles and the air pump.

Fast forward 15 or so years and my first experience with hang on back filters occurs. These are a vast improvement on undergravel filters. There is less noise, and to date, no parts that have needed replacement on any that I have owned. Depending on the model though, there is some impeller noise, and if the water level even gets a little below the output of the filter, you get the water trickle sound. Also, because of their design, they move a lot of surface water which can dispell CO2.

A few years later, I have my first experience with a cannister filter. In my mind, these are the ultimate in affordable filtration. There is absolutely no noise. Totally silent. With independant intake and powerhead, you can position them however you like and minimize surface agitation. Additionally, many filter cannisters have very configurable media trays. You can run a variety of filter medias or "water conditioners" to suite your needs. Water conditioners being peat moss, crushed coral, phosphate absorbers, etc.

There are of course many other filter options but those are the most commonly used.

All views express above are soley the opinions of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the forum.

Guttboy · 10-16-2003, 02:02 AM

alexiel,

Try www.bigalsonline.com or http://www.drsfostersmith.com

Both will give you good ideas on prices for filters...I have had really good luck with both places.

Mike

metallhd · 10-16-2003, 03:25 AM

Alexiel - I have found the new Fuval filters really nice - they're customizable in terms of filter media, powerful and cheap - I run a Fluval 3 series in my 33 with an Aquaclear Mini stuck on the side and it works just great, they're also very quiet - the hard thing is conditioning yourself to stick your hand in the water when the thing is in there running. Good luck, and be careful with Big Al's - the online product descriptions are sometimes a little lacking - best to talk to someone knowledgeable!

10-15-2003, 01:19 AM	#2
Guttboy Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Albuquerque, NM, USA Posts: 752	Hi and welcome! First off what you have will not hurt your fish assuming that your overhead one is not sucking up your fish now :lol: . For planted tanks you will probably find that UGF's are NOT the way to go. Too many roots getting messed up in there when they get going. Alot of people here use Cannister filters such as the Eheim products or the Rena FILSTAR XP series. Others use AQUACLEAR filters that hang on the back. These will not harm fish at all...however, if you are trying to raise babies (fry) then you will need some sort of barrier to increase the surface area of the intake thus reducing the "suction" so that they wont get ingested into the filter. That help a bit? Mike __________________ Mike 100 Gal Planted, two Filstar XP3, Milwaukee SMS 122 pH controller, Milwaukee reg/bubble, compressed CO2, reactor 1000, 7 WCMM, 12 Ottos, 14 neons, 1 SAE, 3 German blue rams, 2 Florida Flag Fish 10 Gallon...20 Endler's live bearers planted, peat/kitty litter/sand substrate 15 Gallon...Just Schultz Aquatic Plant soil

10-16-2003, 01:54 AM	#4
DLeDeaux Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 377	I have had experience with 3 basic filter types. When I was 12 I had a tank that had an undergravel filter. The only plants I had were some anacharis I found at our local lake. At that time I had no knowledge of any other filter types, and wasn't too concerned with it making a meager $10 every week from allowance. But looking back fondly on those days I can recall some things I didn't really like about it. Mainly the fact that I went through several air pumps. The flappers in the air pumps always seemed to go out and then they would get noisy. In general though they were always noisy with the air bubbles and the air pump. Fast forward 15 or so years and my first experience with hang on back filters occurs. These are a vast improvement on undergravel filters. There is less noise, and to date, no parts that have needed replacement on any that I have owned. Depending on the model though, there is some impeller noise, and if the water level even gets a little below the output of the filter, you get the water trickle sound. Also, because of their design, they move a lot of surface water which can dispell CO2. A few years later, I have my first experience with a cannister filter. In my mind, these are the ultimate in affordable filtration. There is absolutely no noise. Totally silent. With independant intake and powerhead, you can position them however you like and minimize surface agitation. Additionally, many filter cannisters have very configurable media trays. You can run a variety of filter medias or "water conditioners" to suite your needs. Water conditioners being peat moss, crushed coral, phosphate absorbers, etc. There are of course many other filter options but those are the most commonly used. All views express above are soley the opinions of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the forum. __________________ --- Dave ---

10-16-2003, 02:02 AM	#5
Guttboy Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Albuquerque, NM, USA Posts: 752	alexiel, Try www.bigalsonline.com or http://www.drsfostersmith.com Both will give you good ideas on prices for filters...I have had really good luck with both places. Mike __________________ Mike 100 Gal Planted, two Filstar XP3, Milwaukee SMS 122 pH controller, Milwaukee reg/bubble, compressed CO2, reactor 1000, 7 WCMM, 12 Ottos, 14 neons, 1 SAE, 3 German blue rams, 2 Florida Flag Fish 10 Gallon...20 Endler's live bearers planted, peat/kitty litter/sand substrate 15 Gallon...Just Schultz Aquatic Plant soil

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10-15-2003, 01:11 AM	#1
Alexiel Newbie (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 2	Which type of filter is the best for a 55 gallon planted tank. I have fish in this tank and i don't want to hurt the fish. Right now I have an undergravel filter and a basic overhead one.

10-16-2003, 01:36 AM	#3
Alexiel Newbie (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 2	yes that helps alot. are those filters avail. every where or special order?

10-16-2003, 03:25 AM	#6
metallhd Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 59	Alexiel - I have found the new Fuval filters really nice - they're customizable in terms of filter media, powerful and cheap - I run a Fluval 3 series in my 33 with an Aquaclear Mini stuck on the side and it works just great, they're also very quiet - the hard thing is conditioning yourself to stick your hand in the water when the thing is in there running. Good luck, and be careful with Big Al's - the online product descriptions are sometimes a little lacking - best to talk to someone knowledgeable!