[Best Filter For A 2 Feet Tank]

[s050399b]

Hi,

Currently I'm using 2x hang-at-the-back filter, like those Penguin types. I find that it's not really enough, it always get clog after 3-4 days, and I need to wash/change the filter's sponge again.

I was thinking of getting a Canister Filter Box. But the outflow would be too powerful for my 2 feet tank.

Questions:
1) How do you minimise outflow? Rainbar, and anymore?
2) What brand? How much? Where to buy? Recommendations?

Thanks!

[budak]

I use an Eheim 2224 with the outflow positioned at the right back corner for my 2 ft tank(direct, no rainbar).... the current is just fine. I think any other brand of canister filter with the equivalent throughput should be ok.

Why do you have to wash the filter so often? The filer media is supposed to trap the fish waste and organic matter which will be converted into ammonia, nitrite and nitrates (absorbed by the plants) by the bacteria in the media. It's supposed to get 'dirty'. With a canister filter like the 2224, you only need to give the media a slight rinsing every 3-4 months.

Please don't ask me where and how much does the filter cost.

I think there have been several recent discussions in this forum section on canister filters. Please take time to read them for more information.

[Encriptic]

i'm using the shallow 2ft tank (30cm) and i'm running it with a eheim 2213 with 440l/h and i think the flow is just nice. running it using a rainbar. everything is going fine

[s050399b]

[quote="udak"I use an Eheim 2224 with the outflow positioned at the right back corner for my 2 ft tank(direct, no rainbar).... the current is just fine. I think any other brand of canister filter with the equivalent throughput should be ok.
[/quote]

one question on this, where do you point the output? across the tank or towards you? Where do you position the part where it sucks in the water?

Why do you have to wash the filter so often? The filer media is supposed to trap the fish waste and organic matter which will be converted into ammonia, nitrite and nitrates (absorbed by the plants) by the bacteria in the media. It's supposed to get 'dirty'. With a canister filter like the 2224, you only need to give the media a slight rinsing every 3-4 months.

the hang-on-filter has 2 outlets, one outlet is the normal one where the filtered water gets thru, another outlet is the one when there's too much filtered water and it can't go through the 1st one, it will go thru the second one, unfiltered outlet. When this happens, I usually changed/washed and it will flow through the 1st outlet.

[s050399b]

i'm using the shallow 2ft tank (30cm) and i'm running it with a eheim 2213 with 440l/h and i think the flow is just nice. running it using a rainbar. everything is going fine

got picture?

[s050399b]

after reading the following article, I have some second thoughts.....

I currently have the Eheim 2215, I can't wait to get rid of it. I have read how wonderful these filters are and what a great job they do of filtering. The bottom line is, it's made poorly and extremely frustrating when cleaning and reassembling. The latches on the side are useless, they keep popping open when the siphon starts and water pours out from any opening. The flow rate is also not impressive, It's been running for about 2 years and by now the water is trickling out. I have manipulated the media and moved it around to fix this problem to no avail. There are better canister filters at a better price on the market, I don't believe the hype on these.

[Encriptic]

dont have digicam, but can mms, pm me your number. Eheim filters are good, i have a 2217 and been running for 7 yrs already and no problem, still kicking in my 4ft tank. my 2213 was bought 2nd hand and is over 2 yrs old already, still working fine, latches, seals, no leaking. i think yours you never maintain.

[budak]

The 2215 is a VERY old model.... i have no experience with it, but i have been using the professional series 2224 and 2228 for over 4 years with no problems. (after reading the link - why do you base your judgement on a couple of negative posts when there are so many other positive ones? and besides the Classic Series is hardly available nowadays.... only the Professional and Ecco series.... please use your brain a bit more)

i point my outflow (positioned at the right back corner) towards the front left corner of the tank. This gives good all round circulation. The intake is simply positioned (diagnoally) at the middle back with the end lying almost at gravel level.

I can't quite picture how your hang-on filter works, but with a good canister filter, you shouldn't need to rinse more than once in 3-4 months.

[RonWill]

Hi 's050399b', this is R2D2. Had your AI Chips checked today?

Judging from your previous posts, you seem to be having lots of 'fun' with the 2ft setup but I believe that the equipment is not at fault, ie. getting clogged.

You really ought to heed the advice from more experienced hobbyists who've offered their time in responding and cautioning against your high bioload.

A more efficient filter that's slightly over-rated in capacity, will work but reducing both the amount fed and the number of fishes is the better long-term solution.

If you're worried about excessive turbulence, you can; attach a rainbar to spread, an elbow-joint to redirect, a 'T-joint' to split the flow or adapt a ball-valve to reduce the output (check with hardware store).

The Eheims I've used are really reliable, so that's a no-brainer, and most LFS has them. Check with them what's current, as mine are past 8 yrs. If you maintain high bioload, be prepared to clean the media more often than others using the same filter model. Having lots of plants will also help maintain water quality.

If you have the funds, the space and feel like splurging, go for a trickle overflow filter/sump. These can often handle heavy bioload... just the way you like it.

[s050399b]

dont have digicam, but can mms, pm me your number. Eheim filters are good, i have a 2217 and been running for 7 yrs already and no problem, still kicking in my 4ft tank. my 2213 was bought 2nd hand and is over 2 yrs old already, still working fine, latches, seals, no leaking. i think yours you never maintain.

not mine, just some reviews~

[s050399b]

Hi 's050399b', this is R2D2. Had your AI Chips checked today?

If you have the funds, the space and feel like splurging, go for a trickle overflow filter/sump. These can often handle heavy bioload... just the way you like it.

haha!! I've reduced the fishes I have..........from 200 to less than 100...........I was thinking of the sump thingy too, but it seemed like more work than a Canister filter, cleaner and tider..............

Now I have run into problems with algue outbreaks after 1-2 days of cleaning the tank, and my moss!!

I have seen pictures of moss and mine is like a combination of the normal moss, and fine-like hair-line stuff that's growing!

What is the fine-like-hair-line greeny stuffs that's growing with my moss~? Baby plants? haha!

[s050399b]

The 2215 is a VERY old model.... i have no experience with it, but i have been using the professional series 2224 and 2228 for over 4 years with no problems. (after reading the link - why do you base your judgement on a couple of negative posts when there are so many other positive ones? and besides the Classic Series is hardly available nowadays.... only the Professional and Ecco series.... please use your brain a bit more)

i point my outflow (positioned at the right back corner) towards the front left corner of the tank. This gives good all round circulation. The intake is simply positioned (diagnoally) at the middle back with the end lying almost at gravel level.

I can't quite picture how your hang-on filter works, but with a good canister filter, you shouldn't need to rinse more than once in 3-4 months.

opps, old model...........hmmmm, okay~ thanks!

now i have a clearer idea how to place the pipes..............

[PohSan]

What is the fine-like-hair-line greeny stuffs that's growing with my moss~? Baby plants? haha!

Should be either hair algae or utricularia, more commonly known as Bladderwort. Baby plants.... hmm..., wait long long.

Regards,
Ong Poh San

[Encriptic]

bioload is too high if you have like that amt of fishes. intending to put 30 cardinal, 4 oto, 4sae. 2ft also, glosso tank. hope it will work out.

[RonWill]

not mine, just some reviews~

Hi,
Do you own or use the 2215? If yes, it just need maintenance. If not, kindly refrain from reposting unsubstantiated reviews.

Went to the article you pointed out and would have considered the reviewer's opinion had he/she not conveniently signed off as 'a visitor'... why say anything when one doesn't have the guts to stand by it or even leave a name?

The 2215 I used is about 10 years old. Worked reliably for 7 yrs at my old home and another 3 at my relative's place (it's still working fine).

Only qualm I have with canister filters is that the 1st stage mechanical filtering is usually at the bottom. Cleaning just that alone will upset the nitrifying bacterial colony in the rest of the media. IIRC, it was months between cleaning... not days!!, but hopefully, the newer models are better and more logically designed.

I backtracked on some of your posts and there's little mention of plants, besides the 'fuzzy hair' moss. If your bioload wasn't that high, a UGF with lots of plants and ramhorn snails, while 'primitive', would have worked beautifully.

[s050399b]

What is the fine-like-hair-line greeny stuffs that's growing with my moss~? Baby plants? haha!

Should be either hair algae or utricularia, more commonly known as Bladderwort. Baby plants.... hmm..., wait long long.

Regards,
Ong Poh San

Hi Poh San,

The hair line thing is about 5cm to 10 cm long!! Not those hair-line algue I have on the walls of the tank; I used otos to clean that up.

I wish I get a digital camera some how............

[s050399b]

btw, in my tank, i have a piece of drift wood, with moss tied to it. The hairline green thingy is growing with the moss.

Some of them measure 5cm to 10cm. I'm not sure if what that green stuff is.

Had snails, but they are eating up the moss as well, so placed them in my goldfish tank.

[stocker]

I have a 2x2footers, one with a 2213 and another with a Resun SP-900 internal filter. Both my tanks, IMHO, water is clear.

The tank with the 2213 has a bioload of abt 3 shrimps, 5 small cories and 15 other fish (~1-1.5" length). The other tank with internal filter has about 10-15, also small fishes. So I think both will work depending on the set-up. I'm actually surprised how well the Resun internal filter had held up, cleaning about once/mth or less. Both tanks are also quite planted and are "low-maint" tanks.

With your bioload, I'm not surprised your filter is choked up in under a week. The good thing about canisters is that they hold a lot of "shit" literally!

[s050399b]

haha! thanks bros!

[s050399b]

one more question:
how do you know when to change/wash the filter medium in Canister filter?