Eheim Aquaball internal filter

[benny]

OK. Update on the Eheim's revolutionary Aquaball internal filter.

IT SUCKS!!!

It's not suitable if you are keeping small fishes like pygmy corys, pygmy rasboras and other tetras. The clip that holds the filter also traps small fishes. Once they swim in, they're stuck and die trying to get out. I just lost 2 corydoras Hastatus this way, over 2 days.

Also, all the water/dirt is suck in via the biological medium to be flush out by the pump. However, it's a total mess in you tank everytime you try to handle the filter. The minute you touch it, everything floats off the filter and into the water column. Jeezz...

If you guys want a good internal filter that's hassle free and safe for small fishes, you know what to look out for. Actually, for that price, you might as well get the classic series external cannister filter from Eheim.

Cheers,

[coryfav]

Here's my input based on my own recent experience:

I bought the smallest model to use in my 16inch 23litres quarantine/hospital tank. I replaced the Eden 304 with this, mainly because I can remove the aquaball filter for easy change of filter floss. I have not experienced the mess that Benny has mentioned (during change of filter media), maybe because the one I use only has a small sponge in it.

Water level filled to 7inch. Bottom of the filter is about 2inch away from the bottom of the tank. Output of the filter is slightly less than an inch from the water surface. I've 4 java ferns (tighted to individual driftwoods) and a clay refuge in it.

When I last had a pleco in that tank, I tilted the output up and towards the other diagonal end of the tank. That caused enough agitation to the water surface (for oxygen), as well as current to move the pleco poo to a side for easy cleaning. (On and off, I also had one or two tetra patients.) I changed 50% water every morning, since it's a very small tank with a hungry pleco.[:]

Recently, with no patient nor new fish, I left the tank running but faced the output towards the nearest end of the glass (less current in water), thinking of the possibility of putting 5 then-to-be bought corys for quarantine. After only 2 days of not changing water, I saw (about 6) 'strands of something' on the water surface. One end was on the water surface, while the other end dangling in the water. Looked like mosquito larve, though they're not moving/wriggling...[]

Latest observation: dirt accumulating on the bottom of the tank, under the filter. I cleaned the glass with my hand recently.

(Output is adjusted to the minimum from Day 1.)

My opinion? This filter has its good points and bad. Cost aside, though the output is strong enough to create good agitation to the water's surface, I think the filter is not strong enough to suck all the dirt accumulating below it, in. I like the way that the filter can be removed for cleaning, while the bracket remains, though.

I'll still continue to leave it in that tank. Maybe I'll remove some of the plants in there, when I've a 'tenant' next time, and see how things go.

I'm still considering whether to get the 3-compartment model (rrp $75) to support a 2028 external canister, in a future tank. Still observing and will continue to access other users' oppinions.

Meanwhile, the 5 corys I finally bought, looked healthy enough to go directly into my main tank.

[praetorian]

I have the 3 compartment model of the aquaball but it seems that it does not have enough power to suck in all the gunk... i can see floating gunk that just float around the filter but it won't get suck in....