Newbie seeking your advice on GEX Slim Filters

**Albert Han** · 18th Jun 2014, 23:25

Hi guys,

Albert here and am a newbie.

Have always wanted to keep fishes since I was young but only started keeping them now after my kids bugged me for fishes.

Currently have a 2 feet slim GEX tank (Relaqua 600) holding a couple of longkang fish and 3 terrapins. The filter I'm using is a Hailea filter (canister type I think).

Was thinking of changing to the GEX Slim filter but have the following concern.

As I have terrapins in it, I cannot fill my tank to the top and have to leave about 10 cm water gap to the top of the top in case the terrapins climb out. As such, if I use the HOF, I am not sure how low can the water inlet to the filter be stretched. Will the motor also be able to pump the water all the water up even if I modified the pipe?

Many thanks!
Albert.

**Urban Aquaria** · 18th Jun 2014, 23:57

For hang-on filters you need to have the water up to a certain level to match the filter (usually at an indicated minimum level just above the base of the filter) or else the filter's impeller may not be able to draw the water up the inlet pipe. In addition, if there is a power cut and the water level is too low, the water will drain out of the inlet pipe and it'll lose its siphon too.

It'll be better to use hang-on filters in full tanks, rather than partially filled tanks.

**bryan** · 19th Jun 2014, 10:39

The filter or the tank isn't cut out for 3 terrapins. Soon you'll need something bigger to house them. Something like a goldfish tub or fiberglass pond. I'd go with daily water change instead of a filter since they'll clog it up really fast.

**xXXXx13** · 19th Jun 2014, 14:18

Hi, I'm running the GEX Slim (L) filter on my 50L x 33W x 34H cm tank for closed to a month or so for my 2 terapins. I had to extend the pipings for the water inlet fully in order for it to be submerged. My water level is limited by the height of the floating platform that I got for the terrapins which was hold down by the sucker pads. As for the water output, its of no difference when compared to with a fully filled tank. I do WC and/ or topping up of water weekly as this tank sits in the balcony.