Newbie help with filter choice

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Burto;4795990; said:
What are your water parameters? If your ammonia and nitrite are at 0, you've got enough filtration and more isn't going to make a difference. Do you have water clarity issues?
That said, if you want to spend $220+ on something you don't need, an FX5 is an excellent filter.

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Burto has a great point here..... get some test kits and test your water.

This is the first thing I thought of as well when I read the original post, looks like Burto and Burtess think alike lol.... :headbang2

Burt :)
 
Nice to burt you. I hope you enburt your stay. :-P

Posted on mobile.monsterfishkeepers.com
 
The Fluval range is very good for aquarists on a budget. I have a Fluval 205 on my 20G tank and my fancy goldfish don't have a problem with the flow rate. With the canisters, the output is usually close to the top of the tank, so your fish can avoid it if they want by dropping into the lower strata of the tank. Cichlids really do need the extra filtration, as they are exceptionally dirty fish. I chose my Fluval over an Eheim of the same price/output because it is easier for me to start up again once I've done tank maintenance - "Aquastop" valve keeps you from having to suck-start the siphon to get the water flowing from your tank to your filter before you turn it on. It also has a little hand-pump for if the vacuum in your intake/output pipes fails. Again this stops you having to suck-start your siphon (I always get a mouth/face full of water this way).
You may just want to visit your LFS and see what they've got.
But be assured, your fish won't mind the extra current. If you're worried about it, you can always purchase a ready-made rain-bar to attach to your output nozzle.
 
id say either the fluval fx5 or the ehieme pro 2 series both are great and would do wonders for your tank, i myself prefer the pro 2 series from ehieme but again personal choice i know everyone on here is caught up on the fx5:P
 
Burtess;4796994; said:
Burto has a great point here..... get some test kits and test your water.

This is the first thing I thought of as well when I read the original post, looks like Burto and Burtess think alike lol.... :headbang2

Burt :)
Click to expand...

ok provided my numbers are in order....wont an additional filter help with clarity?
 
It could help with water clarity, but it depends on what's causing lack of clarity. If you have green water or a bacteria bloom more filtration won't help unless it's a UV steriliser or a diatom filter. If you've got a lot of debris floating around another canister would help sift that out.
But seriously, if you don't have an ammonia/nitrite/nitrate test kit, get that before you spend any money on anything else for your tank.
 
Amen to a test kit, amen to getting a tank just for the puffer, or trading it to the LFS for credit. Very good chance you do not need additional filtration, and if you do there are cheaper ways to go, like sponge filters (sounds like yer on a bit of a budget). The best thing for water clarity in most situations, in my own humble opinion is lots of tank cleaning and water changes.
 
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