Newbie!!!

I plan on upgrading to an external. I don't like seeing apparatus inside the tank and am external increases overall capacity.

I'm tempted to get an external in-line heater too.

Quote from: Extreme_One on March 05, 2016, 11:37:19 AM

I'm tempted to get an external in-line heater too.

Are external in-line heaters more energy efficient for your electricity bill? It will be interesting to see what affect the Aquarium equipment I've started running does to my own bill...

Short answer, I don't know.

Long answer, I would imagine they'd use roughly the same amount of energy to heat the water.

Unfortunately you are still overstocked. Using the Community Creator on here, you are at 111%. Your main problems are the plec, clown loaches and severums. The plec and loaches will eventually need a 6 foot tank, while the severums will need a 4 foot.


What is the filter you have now? Make, and if possible, the model?

You could always look at second hand externals on Ebay. You can get some good bargains on there. The main thing to check if you do end up with one is that the seals are still in good condition, but if not they are easily replaced.
If you do get an external, don't just throw away the internal. Use the internal's media (sponge etc) to avoid having to cycle the external.

You really need to rehome all of them or you'll need to get a bigger tank.

My husband is waiting for me to turn my laptop off! I'll look up that filter tomorrow.

Are there any restaurants local to you who have big fish tanks? I helped my dad round up and donate a shoal of tinfoils to a Chinese restaurant because they outgrew his tank and they had a huge tropical Aquarium that took up a whole wall! They lived for another 3 years after we passed them on... It was so cool to you back to the restaurant and see them growing. 

I have found the manual for the filter. The instructions aren't very helpful, are they!

So there is just one rectangular sponge inside the filter. I see the sponge is hollow (pic on Ebay!) - does it have anything inside?

According to the specs, the fan 3 plus is designed for tanks from 150 to 200 litres, with a flow rate of 700 litres per hour when set on max. So using it on a 180 litre tank is right at the top end of what it is rated for. I prefer to over-filter a tank.

For comparison, in my 180 litre tank I have two Eheim biopower filters, a 240 and a 200. I had the 240 in my old 125 litre tank, and although the quoted tank size for this filter is 160 to 240 litres, I felt it wasn't quite enough in the 180 litre tank so I added the second filter. And my tank isn't as heavily stocked as yours.


I would say you have 2 choices. Either add a second internal as I have done (in which case my personal recommendation would be either an Eheim biopower 200 or 240 or a Fluval U3 or U4) and turn the flow down slightly on both internals so you don't create a whirlpool; or get an external to replace the internal, and put the already cycled sponge from the Aquael filter into the external to preserve your bacteria colonies.
If you look at the third page of this thread you can see how Paddy has put some mature filter media into his new external. Sponges can be cut up to make them fit.
All Pond Solution filters do have a good reputation and they are cheaper than brands like Eheim of Fluval. The plastic parts aren't quite as robust so don't mis-treat an APS filter! The flow rate drops considerably once media is added - the quoted flow rates are without media - so look at the 1400 litre per hour models or even the 2000. You don't need UV, so it's not worth paying extra just for that. This is the company's page, you might well get them cheaper elsewhere.




With all filters, you don't need carbon. If whatever you buy comes with carbon, just leave that out and get more sponge/ceramic noodles etc.

Right. The next instalment!!!  I have managed to get the plec and largest severum rehomed. They are getting collected later today. Will this make my tank stock ok? Or still over?  I really want a clear tank instead of the cloudy one I have at the moment.

I would love an external filter but money is tight at the moment so it will have to be a purchase I look into at a later date xxx

Not yet! I'm working on it lol xxx

The clown loaches are really tiny so hopefully they are OK in my tank until I can get a home for them as well.

So tonight after the plec and larger severum have gone, shall I do a water change to get rid of some of the cloudy water?  If so, how much would you change?  Also am I right in not squeezing the sponge out in the filter yet?  Am I naive to hope my water will be clear soon? Lol fingers crossed!!! Xxx

Don't know my levels. My testing kit hasn't arrived yet. I might do a water change tonight and take a sample into my local shop tomorrow for them to test if mine still hasn't arrived by then. How many litres shall I change? Water very cloudy at the minute xxx