External Vs Internal Filter

In a low tech tank it's easier (in my opinion) to focus on what your fish prefer rather than what the plants need.

I am wondering if the Fluval 107 would work.

Hi @barneyadi

Are the Fluval external filters still supplied with those awful, corrugated, inflexible hoses?

JPC

Quote from: barneyadi on December 16, 2019, 02:42:00 PM

I have seen another filter, an Oase BioMaster Thermo 250 which has a heater built in.

Hi @barneyadi

I have heard good things about the Oase filters. They built up an excellent reputation with their pond filters. Out of interest, is it possible to see when the built-in heater is ON (i.e. actually heating) from the exterior of the filter? Is there an indicator or window through which one can see, at a glance, when the heater is ON?

JPC

I dont think you can see if heater is on, from things i have looked at online. If I get one I will let you know.

Can I ask one last question about filters. I understand that flow rates are important to a degree, depending on the fish. Supposedly upto 10 times the tank literage is a supposedly good mark. Would this apply to both internal and external filters, or can you get away with a lower rate on an internal?

The externals I have looked at are about 7 to 8 times which seems sufficient.

The x times turnover per hour. There is no 'good' figure to aim for. Instead, consider the fish. Sedate fish need a low flow rate. Fish from fast running streams need a higher flow rate.

Unless you have fish from fast running streams, 7 to 8 times per hour is too much.

Thanks Sue

That makes sense. The 7 to 8 times is maximum so can work it at a reduced flow. Time for a decision I think.

If the filter flow rated can't be adjusted, they are other ways to reduce the impact of the flow to keep your fish happy. It's relatively easy to increase the width of the output nozzle or spray bay holes so the water movement is reduced, or baffle it with the addition of some coarse filter sponge, or even putting the output slightly lower in the tank and pointing more upwards, rather than having the flow going directly across the tank.
On the axolotl forum it's quite common for people to be told to point their output more towards the back or side of the tank to reduce the water flow, as strong water movement can be very stressful for them.

Oooh the suspense..... 

Well unless I talk myself out of it, it will be...………………

BioPlus Thermo 200 Internal Corner Filter

Ah - I've just remembered now that I was swaying between that and the JBL corner filter which I ultimately ended up getting. There is one downside of the JBL corner filter - not sure if the same would apply to the one you've chosen but, if so, there is a way of rectifying it. Mine has suction cups on the uppermost section but not on the 'basket' sections below that. This resulted in the filter floating out from the corner at the base, with fish and snails ending up behind it. I rectified this by contacting a couple of magnet companies who were extremely helpful about waterproof, very strong magnets - one half of which are inside the filter and the other half of which are on the external part of the tank. If this ends up being a problem for you (and hopefully it won't), I can give you the contact details of the very helpful magnet companies and the magnets themselves.

Aside from that initial problem, I do like the corner design aesthetically.