Please advise what filter to use on 2ft x 1ft x 1ft

[mer2623]

As stated above, i just got two of these tanks and planning to keep apistos, on budget now coz still recovering from damage of other setup..thanks in advance

[chi_cha_ron]

I think an eheim 2215 would do a perfect job for a tank that size.

[mer2623]

Thanks bro, tight on budget now, so whenever i heard of eheim brand thinking already that its expensive lol

[felix_fx2]

Below $50 canister only redsun and boyu ef-05, if your lucky Eden models.
Else a hof will have to do.

Personally I didn't have ANY budget when I started. So I used overhead ones.

[tetrakid]

Like I said in another thread, I swear by hang-on filters. I will only go for powerful canister filters if my tank is at least 4ft. If I have a 4ft tank, I will buy the most powerful canister model I can afford.

But presently, I only have 2ft tanks and am thinking of a 3ft. For these tanks, I will always use Hang-On filters. The reason I swear by hang-on filters now is that I have 'discovered' a valuable 'secret' about their superb oxygenation capability. But this so-called 'secret' is not a big deal really, because it will be obvious to anyone who correctly understands the phenomenon and dynamics of surface gas exchange, surface/air interface, and atmospheric/water surface equilibrium. Understanding this alone can prevent a lot of sad experience in fish-keeping due to sub-optimal oxygenation of the water column.

But even if one settles for a hang-on filter, one still need to use it in the proper manner, otherwise, its usefulness will not have been fully exploited.

Below $50 canister only redsun and boyu ef-05, if your lucky Eden models.
Else a hof will have to do.

Personally I didn't have ANY budget when I started. So I used overhead ones.

[Zee]

Like I said in another thread, I swear by hang-on filters. I will only go for powerful canister filters if my tank is at least 4ft. If I have a 4ft tank, I will buy the most powerful canister model I can afford.

But presently, I only have 2ft tanks and am thinking of a 3ft. For these tanks, I will always use Hang-On filters. The reason I swear by hang-on filters now is that I have 'discovered' a valuable 'secret' about their superb oxygenation capability. But this so-called 'secret' is not a big deal really, because it will be obvious to anyone who correctly understands the phenomenon and dynamics of surface gas exchange, surface/air interface, and atmospheric/water surface equilibrium. Understanding this alone can prevent a lot of sad experience in fish-keeping due to sub-optimal oxygenation of the water column.

But even if one settles for a hang-on filter, one still need to use it in the proper manner, otherwise, its usefulness will not have been fully exploited.

Hey bro, any HOF that you'd recommend? I was thinking of getting a canister initially but after reading your post, I might consider getting a HOF.

[ciaossu]

Hi i think it really depends on your budget. a good HOF that can contain media can cost up to the price of a canister. brands like fluval, eheim, aquaclear. let's say if you have a budget of $30 and below you can go for a ocean free brand HOF the large size one which able to contain media. and if you have a budget of $60 you might as well go for a cheap canister like atman or even 2nd hand eheim like 2213.

[felix_fx2]

@tetrakid, you almost sound like a promoter
2 footer hof is good and inexpensive. For a low tech without co2 enrichment is good.

[tetrakid]

I am not 'promoting' hang-on filters. It all depends on what you want to achieve in this hobby. Many hobbyists are attracted to fish-keeping after seeing their friends' impressive power equipment. Just like in photography where you will find many casual photographers buying expensive SLR cameras. As a result, many become very camera-savvy, but sadly, many do not produce good results to justify their expenses. Similarly, in fishkeeping, many consider hang-on filters an 'amateur' filter. But I can tell you personally, I'd rather operate two hang-on filters than use one canister filter,as I am hooked on HOFs. But my suggestion is only for beginners in fish-keeping. I always consider myself a beginner at all times, lol.

@tetrakid, you almost sound like a promoter
2 footer hof is good and inexpensive. For a low tech without co2 enrichment is good.

[tetrakid]

But I must caution beginners that if you use hang-on filters but do not know how to use it effectively, many fish may eventually die as a result. So it is very important to use it in the correct manner.

[felix_fx2]

I am not 'promoting' hang-on filters. It all depends on what you want to achieve in this hobby. Many hobbyists are attracted to fish-keeping after seeing their friends' impressive power equipment. Just like in photography where you will find many casual photographers buying expensive SLR cameras. As a result, many become very camera-savvy, but sadly, many do not produce good results to justify their expenses. Similarly, in fishkeeping, many consider hang-on filters an 'amateur' filter. But I can tell you personally, I'd rather operate two hang-on filters than use one canister filter,as I am hooked on HOFs. But my suggestion is only for beginners in fish-keeping. I always consider myself a beginner at all times, lol.

Haha, well said. Expenses vs results.
Your not the only one using hang on filters, certainly not the only one who swears by the use of them.

to TS, more importantly. How much do you intend to spend? $35 can get you a decent one which (as ciaossu bro mention) you can stuff media(normally abit of CR) in the empty spaces.
Maybe a Gex S or M HOF will suffice, you can always upgrade after saving up for it on a later date.

[mer2623]

So what brand of HOF can you reccomend?

[tetrakid]

The only result worth going for is healthy and long-living fish. No point to have power equipment but sickly fish, or keep losing fish time and again.

[tetrakid]

Brand is up to you to choose. If my tank is 2ft, I will get the biggest HOF I can find.
But then again, you have to consider what you want to achieve. Different people have different objectives. If you intend to use CO2 later for many plants, then a bigger HOF may not be desired by you due to the increased water throughput. Study all the options first, as there are many and varied views.

So what brand of HOF can you reccomend?

[mer2623]

thanks guys for all the inputs, just went down to C328 and manage to get 2 HOF (oceanfree & dolphin) rating is 800 l/hr with some media on it
next step is how to scape my tanks.

[aquarius]

Does the Ocean Free sell any spare parts like impellor for their HOF?

[stormhawk]

I don't think they do. My brother had a cheap OceanFree HOF running off his turtle tank. It broke down after 4-5 months in operation. Apparently the pump easily overheats. I don't know about newer models but so far, no spare parts seen.

[Blue Whale]

Tight budget always can use GEX Slim L, mine work for 1 year flat before motor say bye bye recently. Maintenance is very hassle free type. Usually costing around $28-30. Filter media can interchange with Carbon filter type if you wish to. If you want to concentrate on breeding the little babies for apistos, make sure you net up the water inlet. You do not want any babies to get "caught" by the filter and filtered off as well. Usually these type of filter like gex will come with a sponge but problem is the bottom is not sponged up, so netting is still a better option. If you use wire mesh, you must make sure there are no pointy parts at the end of the mesh, you do not want satay fries end of the day.

[oasis]

Can check if ecco pro 2034 sufficient connected to Arctica chiller 1/10 for a 2ft tank?

[tetrakid]

Yes, it is important to buy a proven brand/model.

Reliability all depends on the motor rating and design. An aquaiium pump motor churns continuosly at its maximum rating, thus heat is inevitable. They are unlike motors for aircons and fridges for example, which is regularly cut off by thermostat and so have a chance to cool.

In any case, it is always a good precaution to have a spare unit, or motor unit on standby, since it will eventually break down in time.

I don't think they do. My brother had a cheap OceanFree HOF running off his turtle tank. It broke down after 4-5 months in operation. Apparently the pump easily overheats. I don't know about newer models but so far, no spare parts seen.