Filtration Tests of Time

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thatonegirl

thatonegirl

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 24, 2006
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One more block to the South of Dick's Automotive
I'd like to get a discussion going on filtration. I bought nearly all of my filters on a "majority" recommendation, and of all the gripes and valid problems I've had, I'd like to hear what others have to say. I know there are pros and cons to everything, but with some of my issues, I wish I had been warned that this "whatever" will happen.

I bought some Emp 330's like 5 years ago, and after about 1.5 years, one biowheel stuck on every last one of 'em. They are still only running on one biowheel each.

I bought some Penguin 400's and the same thing happened. No more Marineland for me, thanks.

When I got my 125, I bought Fluval 404's. I LOVED them at first, but after the first cleaning, the part that snaps into the top that holds the impeller broke on one side. During my second cleaning, the same thing happened on my other Fluval. I bought a third one, even, and guess what happened.

Like I said, there are also pros and cons to buying almost any equipment. I always hear that Eheim is the best, but I can't always spend that kind of money.

After I bought my Fluvals, I heard someone warn against exactly what ended up happening to me.

But of all the things that I've had trouble with, nothing bad happened right away. What is out there that will be dependable year after year?
 
a wet/dry or an aquaclear.
The only opinion I have of canisters is that I dont like them.
 
out of the filters I have used

best hbf - ac 110
worst hbf- wisper
best canister- rena
worst canister- jebo
best inline- ocean clear
worst inline- Rainbow Lifeguard
best wet dry- diy
worst wet dry- non diy


now this is just out of the filters that I have personly used
 
I've only ever bought one cannister ... an Eheim 2217 which I got second hand more than 1.5 years ago and it's been running without any problems since. It's also very quiet and easy to maintain. I would definately get one again.
 
Ive also had several parts on my fluval break- the thing that holds the impeller in, the impeller, the ceramic rod that holds the impeller in place, and the part that clamps on top of the lid doesnt seal all the way, so needless to say, im never gettin another one. On the other hand, my aquaclear 110 has never failed me, and still works like the day I bought it, which was several years ago! BTW, you can buy the wheels for your bio-wheel seperately!
 
i've had an emperor bio wheel for 7 years now and still running non stop with no problems. i also have fluval 404 been running for 6 years and no problems. if you want something dependable get a sponge filter.
 
I dont know how well a sponge filter would work w/ big fish. They are better for breeding fish, but they are dependable!
 
Most of my equipment has been reliable, so my preferences are mostly about tidiness and ease of maintenance. Here are problems I have encountered (for what that's worth):

All filters: everything fails eventually, so I run two filters in every tank to maintain bio filtration.

Air lift filters (sponge, corner box, undergravel filters): If bubbles are used to move water through the filter, they will splash at the surface. If the top of the tank is not well covered, a little water will get on the wall (mildew) or evaporate off of the lights (rime coating). Maybe not a big deal for most, but worth remembering.

Hang on back filters: the casing can crack over time and that can get pretty messy. Happened on a couple of ACs, and I have heard many others complain of the same thing. Bio-wheels tend to stick as they "mature".

Small in-tank power head filters: they clog too fast, particularly if the tank has plants. The reduced water flow makes the bio filtration inconsistant.

Sponge filters: Great filters, but they eventually fail - it takes a couple of years, but they deteriorate and water bypasses the sponge. Some snails and fish will eat sponges. And they will clog, so squeeze them out in a bucket of tank water after a water change. To check for a clog, you can raise the uplift tube just above the water line and watch to see if the bubbles are moving water over the top of the tube.

Canisters: I have no complaints whatsoever about the Eheim Pro II's. Other (smaller) Eheims I have used were a pain to disconnect and to clean, and I had one tubing valve leak.

Eclipse (filter in hood): The impellors suck. I had to superglue several to keep them working. And there is no external view of the bio-wheel, so you don't always know right away if it stops spinning. And it does stop spinning on ocassion.

Wet/dry filters built into the back wall of the tank: I will never own one of these again. Very difficult to manage filter water levels and very awkward to clean. Killed too many fish.

Undergravel filters: actually work well in some situations. I think they get a bad rap. But smaller plecos like to travel down the uplift tube and live under the plate. Extra food gets sucked deeper into the gravel, so syphon cleaning the gravel is important. And don't try them with sand.

Corner box filters: These work OK, but I prefer sponges these days. Box filters can have problems with water bypassing the filter media, so pack them carefully.

Diatom filter: The big Vortex DE filter is poorly engineered - it's a pain to start without dumping DE into the tank, so start the filter in a bucket until the mess clears up. i haven't used any other models.

In-line filters: I've only used the Lifegard filters, and they were pretty useless - too small, a pain to maintain, and worked best with a high head pump (use more energy) to create enough pressure.

Wet dry: Hard to beat, but pay attention to initial setup to reduce noise. And make sure fish can't jump into the overflow.

I obviously have way too much time on my hands this afternoon...
 
vanilla__gorilla__ said:
out of the filters I have used

best hbf - ac 110
worst hbf- wisper
best canister- rena
worst canister- jebo
best inline- ocean clear
worst inline- Rainbow Lifeguard
best wet dry- diy
worst wet dry- non diy


now this is just out of the filters that I have personly used
Click to expand...
Whisper isn't bad. They are great!!! Marineland is awful. Everytime I get one they quit within a week. Cleaning them doesn't even work. This goes for all Marineland filters, but not Aquaria's Millennium. I prefer Whisper. May be you should try Whisper again. The worst HOB that I have ever used is the Aqua Clear. It quit after only 2 days.

People say the Whisper looks to old and the design has never changed, but why change something that is sooooo gooooood???:grinyes:
 
vanilla__gorilla__ said:
out of the filters I have used

best hbf - ac 110
worst hbf- wisper
best canister- rena
worst canister- jebo
best inline- ocean clear
worst inline- Rainbow Lifeguard
best wet dry- diy
worst wet dry- non diy


now this is just out of the filters that I have personly used
Click to expand...
Wow, I completely agree with everything you just said. That's kind of strange :grinyes:
 
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