Equipment Review and Discussion :: For a 50 Gallon tank.

[Linus]

My stand will be arriving on tuesday so I can finally purchase a filter for my tank. I'll be buying the Fluval 3 plus.

http://www.theaquaticdepot.com/fl3pluninaqf.html

I won't be purchasing from that site.

I am only getting the Fluval 3 because I'm only filling the tank 3/4 full and at the other side of the tank I'll put my Tetra Whisper 10.

Does this sound fine?

[megcornell]

I have a 4+ in my 30 gallon turtle tank, and frankly it has a hard time competing. If I were you, I'd invest in a stronger filter. The only reason I use the 4+ is that when I got my rescue it was what I had around. But, if I'd had the luxury of planning out the tank I certainly would have opted for something else. Plus the submersible filters do take up a bit of tank space.

[Rubicon]

Even tho you wont fill it all the way I would get a 4+. Hell buy mine if your cheap.

[Linus]

Well I'll look into it when I get back tonight.

[Caphits]

Even tho you wont fill it all the way I would get a 4+. Hell buy mine if your cheap.

Wasn't it $30 a little bit ago? did it go back up to $40?

[mikee]

S-freak -- When sizing a filter pump you should consider using a pump that will pump at least five times the volume that is in your tank. You will need to think in terms of gph when sizing a biological filter. Water voliume is most important to a healthy tank. Usuing a 350 gph in a 50 gallon would do the job.

[Linus]

Ok well I;m already spending $290 with everything and the Small filter I had chose.

So I can upgrade, I just don't want to spend much more. Any ideas?

This is what I'm looking at even though I doubt I'll be able to find cheap prices like these anywhere.

Filstar XP1 http://www.aquariumguys.com/filstarxp1.html

Emperor 400 Power Biowheel Filter http://www.aquariumguys.com/emperorpower.html

Fuval 4 Plus internal Filter http://www.aquariumguys.com/fluvalinternal3.html

[BullDog]

Recently, there have been a number of people who've bought the Fluval 404 (canister filter) on ebay for about $80. This would be a great filter for a 50 gallon, and less than the XP1 you posted. You could also look around for the Rena XP3, which I think goes for around $120.

[Linus]

I had a question about buying used Fluval 404's. How would I go about cleaning it after I recieved one?

[Rubicon]

Me personally. I would scrub everything down with vinegar and rinse thoroughly. Don't be scared to buy a used filter just clean it well and replace all the media.

[Chrisbarnett]

I had a question about buying used Fluval 404's. How would I go about cleaning it after I recieved one?

Well they come new so just rinse them out.

Then when it comes time to really clean them just clean the bio media in tank water and rinse the rest in regular ol water.

good to go.

[seanwb]

I would not go for a Fluval 4+ despite owning one myself. Like Meg I used a Fluval 4 because I had one spare when I rescued Squirtle, and when it packed up whilst I was on holiday my friend quickly replaced it with a new 4+.

Whilst flow rates are important, there are occasions when you need to consider a little more than flow rate. The Fluval 4+ is one of those cases (as are probably most other internal filters).

On paper it pumps more with the media in place than a Fluval 405, but Hagen only rate it for about half the aquarium capacity.

There are two reasons.
Firstly the foam is small, meaning biological area is small, it may blast the water around quickly, but it is blasting it through very little filtration.
Secondly the foam is small, meaing it clogs quickly. As it starts to clog, the flow rate plummets dramatically, leaving you with a lot, lot, lot less than 1000 l/h. This means you need to clean it out more often.

Also you have no flexibility with media, there are fine filter pads, but if you put one in it will clog even quicker. There are carbon pads, but they are minute and very expensive compared to what you could put in a canister filter.

My advice is to spend the extra money on a canister. You will not regret it.

[marisa]

Ditto on seanwb's comments. I have one, never liked it it's sat in a box for years now). Get a canister and save yourself time and money in the long run. Biological filtration is as, or more, important than just gph.

[Linus]

This is what I found:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 2759.l1259

My question to you is filter media. How often do I replace? Is it complicated? Is it expensive?

[Rubicon]

^ Thats where I bought mine. They have pretty decent shipping (5days to Wi). It doesn't come with biomax so you'll want at least one tray of that. (11.99 @ petsmart).