im looking into buysing a 4foot tank, and i would like to know some information or ideas on how i can filter it, i sont want an internal filter but, so i was wondering wat methods i could use, my dad has a hole in the tank that sucks water down, then goes through all this cleaning stuff then comes back into the tank on the other side, i think its called a sump or something, but i need options other then an internal filter....any suggestions will be great, thnx
Nick
You're left with 4 options if you dont want an internal filter -
1. Cannister.
2. Sump.
3. On top.
4. Hang-on
I'd suggest a cannister for a 4footer and a sump for anything larger, on top filters dont seem to be all that popular in Oz. Im not a huge fan of hang-on filters though you will find many supporters - just not my cup of tea.
Cannister wise, something like an eheim 2028, fluval 405 or ProAqua 1200 would be suitable.
Cheers
Steve
thnx ndoboi, and how much will a cannister filter set me back, and wat do i need to do to the tank for this to waork, do u have a link so i can see an example, and does n e one else have ideas??? thnx
If I was you I would go an on top filter. I'm sure Trofius can give you a link to his DIY over-the-tank filter. Its a ripper and cheap as chips to set-up!
oh thnx efc, not that i have any idea wat an on top filter is, lol, u there trof??? lol
Mate u can even make yourself an internal bucket filter with a powerhead, or a couple of good sponge filters will be fine! i have a 4x20x28 filtered with 2 large sponge filters that house my juvie cyps and its a gr8 tank, so multiple options to go with u dont need to spend big bucks!
Ray
but i dont like having stuff inside the tank taking up space, thats why i was looking for something external. thnx n e way ray
Canisters are pretty simple and easy to set up - two hoses into the tank, one to syphon the water into the canister and the other (usually attached to a spray bar - a piece of ridgid piping with holes drilled in it) for pumping the cleaned water back into the tank.
I dont have any pics, sorry.
Price wise - you'd be looking at between $130ish (AquaPro, ProAqua, AquaOne brands - these are chinese copies) and $530ish (eheim 2028). The fluval 405 sits towards the bottom of the price range at $215ish.
Please dont flood this thread with the usual my 'x'brand filter is sooo much better than the 'y'brand... Just consider that you usually get what you pay for in regards to reliability and ongoing spares and support.
Trofius' handyman version of the on top type of filter is a beauty, there's a thread going around on one of the forums of how he built it with pics, etc.
Whatever you go for will do the job, it's more a case of how much you're willing to spend and how you want the tank and surrounds to look.
Cheers
Steve
i just looked at a site, fluval is bout $220, the only down side of something external is having holes in the tank on a big tube coming out of each end.......
Nick,
U don't have to have holes in the tank to run cannister filter.
No holes in the tank Nick, the hoses go out of the tank in the corners and over the edge via a 180deg bend or elbow. Just need to cut the corners out in the cover glass (most already come this way).
You only need to drill holes in the tank for sumps (if plumbed; you can also get overflow boxes that dont require holes).
Cheers
Steve
yup, i get it now, coryfan showed me a pic, and im on to it, lol, took some explaining hey, lol, im gunna get the otto that does 1200lph, should do nicely, thnc everyone for you advice, i still wanna see trofius' thing but
some more info 4 u :lol:
http://images.google.com.au/images?hl=en&hs=q6n&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official_s&sa=N&resnum=0&q=CANISTER%20FILTERS&spell=1&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&tab=wi
thnx ashhhh, i know what ill get i think, thnx for the infro but :)
www.google.com
i know what google is thnx benji, it only showed me canister filter new....not in use, but i understand now.....