Starting a 2ft planted tank

[Wormz]

Hi everyone, I am planning to start a 2ft planted tank and had been looking around. Was leaning to external canister filter as the tank will look "cleaner". I would like to ask if a fluval 206 better or a OSAE filtosmart 100 will be sufficient.

[greenie]

My honest advice is, based on experience, is to ask you if can go bigger based on budget and space in your place.
I will always recommend bigger because there is always the tendency to upgrade to a 3ft or 4ft tank in the future.
It's better to setup once, the biggest you can accomodate and afford. Bigger tanks have a bigger margin for error if you overdose or skip a scheduled water change due to unseen circumstances.
For me either one is ok but I prefer an eheim because almost all spare parts can bought either locally at places like qianhu or bought online. Just a case in point a friend bought a 2nd hand eheim canister. The rubber gasket dried out and inlet nozzle broke during installation. Both items was replaced with spares bought at qianhu.
Anyway, if you have a budget to stick to, get one with 10x flowrate minimum based on tank volume. Fluval is on par to Eheim imho but OASE is the new kid on the block.

[greenie]

Just to add Fluval 206 flowrate is 780l/hr and OASE 100 is 500l/hr.
If based on a 2x1.5x1.5ft tank, 55L, Fluval 206 is the better choice as the theoretical flowrate is affected by tank waterline height to filter and whatevever media you want to add in your filter.
If you where to add a chiller at filter outlet, that will further reduce flowrate.
Bear this in mind.

[torque6]

Agree with Greenie, eheim has better options and 2nd hand sets are available on Carousel at 1/2 price. You just need to test it for leaks before use.

[Shadow]

Agree with Greenie, eheim has better options and 2nd hand sets are available on Carousel at 1/2 price. You just need to test it for leaks before use.

and as long as it is not crack, you can easily get Eheim spare part to fix.

[Wormz]

Thank you greenie, torque6 and Shadow for the info.

[Latency]

Hi all, what if you really only stick to a 2ft planted tank due to space constraints, what are the things to look out for?


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[Lszomb]

fluval, eheim, or oase filters, those are the "good" brands. For 2 ft tank, depending on the depth and height, it is volume can be anywhere between 60l to 125l.

My calculations: take the specifications from canister filter, then divided by 2, this will be the estimated real flowrate. Such as eheim classic 600, on the label the flowrate is 1000l/h, real flowrate is 500l/h. You wish you could circulate your time 2-4 times per hour base on the volume.

Therefore, anything with label water flowrate of 240l/h to 1000l/h should work depending on your volume and bioload. Also do consider if you need to add a chiller, it will require more power from filter.

I always go for over filtration. It works superb. I never have issue of throttle down my waterflow but there is no way to further increase it.

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[Latency]

fluval, eheim, or oase filters, those are the "good" brands. For 2 ft tank, depending on the depth and height, it is volume can be anywhere between 60l to 125l.

My calculations: take the specifications from canister filter, then divided by 2, this will be the estimated real flowrate. Such as eheim classic 600, on the label the flowrate is 1000l/h, real flowrate is 500l/h. You wish you could circulate your time 2-4 times per hour base on the volume.

Therefore, anything with label water flowrate of 240l/h to 1000l/h should work depending on your volume and bioload. Also do consider if you need to add a chiller, it will require more power from filter.

I always go for over filtration. It works superb. I never have issue of throttle down my waterflow but there is no way to further increase it.

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Hi sorry buddy,

Dunno how to use this app Siah and been traveling too. Noted on the flow rate and tip on chiller thanks!

I went to the LFSs in Clementi. Seems like no one is selling Eheim already.


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