The Puffer Forum

Pretty sure Eheim makes the same filters for US & over there. I didn't like how the Ecco;s lid closes with that arm that goes over the top. It broke pretty quickly after using it a few times & replacement parts were a fortune!

Ah yes the arm for closing does need a gentle hand, not broken mine yet ( touch wood)

Many of us prefer one or two particular brands which they use routinely. Filter selections are highly personal and individual, but most experienced member suggestions will share reliability and relatively easy upkeep. Local access to components is important.

Many of us also use more than one filter on other then the smallest tanks. Dual or multiple filters does insure that at least some filter is always at work in the tank. Than does provide a big safety blanket for the tank, and also can provide better current control.

I bought a Fluval U4.

I can't get the &@*%& thing to work. I hate it already

Quick update, took the motor housing off, and gave the propeller a couple of spins. It seems to be going fine now, fingers crossed.

That is good news!

Pufferpunk wrote:That filter is great but I also like to add a HOB Aquaclear 110, that is easier to access & can be cleaned more often.

+1 on the HOB AQ 110!
We divide the 110 gallon aquarium size rating by 4 for salt water.

We have two on a 46 Gallon saltwater Quarantine tank with three messy 3.5" striped Burrfish - a massive bio load. We replace carbon with more ceramic media when carbon is not needed. We squeeze in 2-3 extra ceramic media than is supplied, and put another ceramic bag in the inflow tube compartment to boost bio area even more.

For messy eaters like puffers, you can turn off the filter after feeding, remove all media, net/dump/siphon out food chunks that were sucked in during feeding, and reassemble.