what filter?

[lg_nano]

Hi, this is my first time in a forum. it's been great just reading some of it...as I am planning to venture into planted aquariums. I actually get to know this web site from Mr.Loh KL from his visit last weekend to KL. Yep...I was at his forum. Really refreshing. Tks Mr Loh for the tips...

OK direct to the question...I am planning to start on this hobby so I need some advice. Someone told me once is better to get an external canister filter if I were to have a planted aquarium. I'm not really sure about this as it's pretty expensive to get one. As i am just into the hobby, I am running low on budget. I am planning to start of with a 3ft tank and planning to use diy CO2 reactor.

Rgds.
Lawrence

[timebomb]

I actually get to know this web site from Mr.Loh KL from his visit last weekend to KL. Yep...I was at his forum. Really refreshing. Tks Mr Loh for the tips...

You were at the forum at KL, Lawrence? Well, I hope I didn't give you any bad advice

Welcome to Killies.com.

Your friend is right about using an external cannister filter for planted tanks. Your problem now is finding the right brand. There are a few China brands in the market but my advice is to buy an Eheim. There are many models but I prefer the older series that's cylindrical in shape. The newer ones are cubic and the filter media are separated in trays.

An Eheim costs more than the other brands but it's cheaper in the long run. Eheims almost never break down. I have one, an Eheim 2013 that has been running non-stop for the last 18 years and it is still running perfectly. The 2013 is no longer in production, I think. The equivalent would be 2213 which should be about right for your 3 feet tank.

Loh K L

[shortman]

Someone told me once is better to get an external canister filter if I were to have a planted aquarium. I am planning to start of with a 3ft tank and planning to use diy CO2 reactor.

If you are doing planted tank without/little fish you may not need a filter. A internal pump will do the job of circulationg the water.

If you want to get a external pump it would be eheim 2215 should cost something above SGD 100.00.

Have you plan for your lighting if you are going to have DIY CO2, without proper light your plant might not do well.

Check the following for the 2213/2215

http://www.eheimparts.com/client/product.aspx?type=2213
http://www.eheim.com/Zubehoer.cgi?Mo...er=Gesamtliste


http://www.eheimparts.com/client/product.aspx?type=2215
http://www.eheim.com/Zubehoer.cgi?Mo...er=Gesamtliste

and the following link for the spec.

http://www.aquatics-online.co.uk/bigpics/eheiminfo.htm

[itssg]

Hi Lawrence,

Welcome on board. I am from KL too. Perhaps, you can join the Malaysia Aquatic Plant Club. From here and the club, you can pick up how to setup the planted tank faster. I can introduce you where to get cheaper equipments and aquatic plants in KL/PJ. (The Eheim in Singapore still cheaper than Malaysia.)

Some of my tanks using internal filter instead of canister. Those internal working well for my planted tank. It is good for newbie with lower budger. As i know, lot of newbies not willing to spend the money into this hobby. They are normally buying lot of equipments which not really suitable for planted tank. Once they wanna upgrade the tank. Or changing the equipment. End up they found they are actually spending more money to get those useless stuff which are not suitable for planted tank. Wasted the money.

Those experts in here will help you to save more money and gaining knowledges of planted tank. Believe me. Spend some money into it. You won't be regret.

[lg_nano]

Guys, thanks for all your advice. I just check out the price for Eheim filters. A 2215 will cost around RM255, there were even one quoted fr RM300+. For now a little short on $$$, I am saving up to get a good one.

For now, any ideas?? due to budget constrain. I though about a UGF. but then would it work....

Then of cause there is the issue of lighting. I am planning to go on DIY. Get a few daylight flo. Probably 3 x 20W. Anyone have any ideas how can I mound on to the tank.

DOM wrote

Welcome on board. I am from KL too. Perhaps, you can join the Malaysia Aquatic Plant Club. From here and the club, you can pick up how to setup the planted tank faster. I can introduce you where to get cheaper equipments and aquatic plants in KL/PJ.

Thanks Dom, it's great to know we have a forum in Malaysia too. How can I join the Malaysia Aquatic Plant Club.

Rgds.
lawrence

[|squee|]

A UGF will work, but it is not recommended. The reason is because using a UGF will mean regular vacumming of the substrate, and plants won't like that. The constant current through the substrate may not bode well for the plants' roots too.

[keehoe]

I recommend you DIY a Henrii Wet-Dry filter. I remember Ron posted complete DIY guide on that before.

For two reason:

1. It does filtration. Mechanical, Biological
2. It helps cool down the water temperature.

[shortman]

For two reason:
1. It does filtration. Mechanical, Biological
2. It helps cool down the water temperature.

And you lost lots of CO2. Ronnie did not use it for planted tank yes he does have plants in the tank.

It maybe difficult for lawrence do it without the necessary 2nd hand filter box in hand and the lava rock is also not cheap.

Beside filter, lighting, CO2, substrate the kind of Red/Green/fast growing plant you chose also important.

Lawrence, please take sometime to plan and see what the options.
Let us know your plan if you do not mind.

[RonWill]

Lawrence,
Welcome to the forum. I hope you'll learn something new with each visit.

About filtration, if budget is a constraint, why not try an IOS or Internal Overflow System as mentioned by Bill in this thread. It's flexible enough for you to experiment with various media, is efficient, relatively low maintenance and CO² loss is kept to a minimum since there's little surface agitation.

Current and IOS operation is via a normal submersible powerhead and you can even hide the CO² reactor and bubble counter within those compartments.

A Henri deBruyn filter may not work for everyone, or fit your idea of a planted tank, but it doesn't hurt to read through the thread for ideas.

If your budget is smaller still, why not try out the Hamburger MattenFilter? It's very affordable and I'll be rigging one up for my grow-out tank, when all my other priorities are behind me.

[shortman]

Then of cause there is the issue of lighting. I am planning to go on DIY. Get a few daylight flo. Probably 3 x 20W. Anyone have any ideas how can I mound on to the tank.

Here are some of the links provide some guide how you can DIY it.

http://www.aquarium-lighting-guide.c...y_projects.php
http://chrys.addr.com/aquarium/diy.htm

[FC]

Lawrence,

You asked a good question because the right filter type would connect to CO2 reactor better. 1st choice should be canister because it allow more flexibility. You can either use internal or better external reactor with this filter easily. Try to use Eheim if possible because it is very reliable and efficient (better flow rate per watt). The price had came down alot, get from Pet Mart.

Ronnie's suggestion for budget filter is good too. It has high filter media capacity and it is very neat. However, it has 2 disadvatages common to internal filters:
1) the heat of submerged pump is heating the water
2) you are limited to internal reactor only (note: you must match the filter outlet tube size with the reactor)

[lg_nano]

Thanks for the overwhelming advice. Let me think through and try out some of the suggestion mention.

Rgds

Lawrence

'Happy planting'