help me with filter choice

[tml74047]

Hello all!

OK, so I don't have much experience with the evidently (wow what a site!) aquarium world!
I have only used a filter that hangs over tank sucks water up & through charcoal pad thingy.
Keep in mind my money is VERYYYYY limited .
I'm looking at this filter that appears to have like sand or something instead of the charcoal pad, so what do you think?? I've not seen this B4 are they any good?
Thanks

 

[chesterthehero]

depends on what you intend to filter with it...

-fresh/salt/brackish
-what size tanks 5gallon/50gallon/500gallon
-whats in the tank plants/inverts/fish/all three


the more we know about your setup/what you intend to setup the more we can help
and the more info you can give us on the filter the better
-manufacturer
-model
-where you saw it
-maybe a website that sells it


welcome to MFK!

 

[tml74047]

well, what size is the tank? Thats a good question! My guess is 50 gal, could be alittle less, i don't know! In it are plants, snails & fish. Just your run of the mill type stuff,( I don't like to watch my money die!) so I figure we will stick with the guppy, molly thing for now since thats all the experience I have! I am looking at this filter on ebay. It is an Aqua clear 70/300 & the person says "including 2 months worth of media" it looks like 2 little bags of sand.

 

[chesterthehero]

AC makes a good filter IMO (i use a few myself)
my guess is the "sand" is "ammo rid" which i believe is zeolite (think of it as carbon for ammonia.. google it)

if you already have a filter on the tank i would leave it running and add the AC70 (if you like it).. no such thing as too much filtration..

also.. no need to change the media "monthly" or anything like that.. just change it whenever it starts to wear out.. just give it a rinse in a bucket of tank water whenever it starts to restrict the water flow..

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/calc.php so you can find out how big your tank is

 

[cichlid2006]

if money is as tight as you say then i would suggest 2nd hand filter or a new jebo/jebao. contrary to alot of views i find them decent filters for the money and i have been running my jebao 1200l/h for a year and a half with no issues.
dont get me wrong i would buy an Fx5 if i had the room in the cabinet as jebo/jebao dont have anywhere near the support or build quality but they are decent for what you pay.
my jebao cost £30 compared to a similar size popular brand filter costing £75+. cant go wrong if your on a budget.

 

[Drexx]

Emperors are pretty cheap. Or you could use HOBS plus a combination of spnge filters.

 

[heavyhitter]

Aqua Clears a great because you can rinse and reuse the media for ever. I still have some sponges that are 7 years old.

Get tha 110/500 model. Also check ebay on used filters.

 

[tml74047]

Thank you ALL so much!!!!
I knew I could get the info I needed here!
I am so glad I found this site!
THANKS