The Puffer Forum

I have a 22 US gallon F8 tank with 2 F8s and a fluval 2 plus. I would like to buy an external filter because I think that my filtration isn't good enough. What filter do you recommend.

I recently installed a Rena Filstar XP1 on my 20g SAP tank. It's a good amount of current but the SAPs love it. The XP1 is not bad; what it lacks in filter volume it makes up for in ease of use. I only use one of the 3 sponges it came with so there's room for a bunch of bioballs in the media basket.

Sorry if this is a stupid question but do all external filters give out air and are they noisy because the tank is in my room.

External filters can mix air in, but that depends on how much of a drop you have from where the water comes out of the filter and your tank water level is.

Some HOB filters do make noise, but they arn't excessive if there is any noise. I have 5 tanks running in my room and 2 are a little noisy but you get use to it after a while!

The filstar is exceptionally quiet, so is my eheim canister.

I'm not sure what you mean by "give out air". When air gets trapped in the canister it tends to make a bit of noise, but under ordinary circumstances they are quiet. If you return the water below the surface of the main tank then there is no rushing sound.

I mean like an air pump.

Nope, there nothing like an air pump. Filters pull in and push out water. Air pump push out air.

shake your canister filter gently and the air pocket that is in there should be grabbed by the pump and expelled, then almost silent

I like my Aquaclears a lot. They're pretty darn quiet, and I like that you can play with the filter media so easily...I use 2 AC sponges and a bag of ceramic noodle thingies.

Eric

How do you get the ceramic in with 2 sponges?!?!?

The AC filter holder has space for 3 things, and AC now makes a small bag of ceramic blocks/noodles/Iobviouslydon'tknowwhattocallthems.

It all fits nicely and provides the best combo of water/particle cleaning and biological filtration for me.

Eric

I must have the old AC's then. Unless you have them upright (not horizontal) you can't fint 2 in the filter and a ceramics bag.

Maybe you're talking about different sized sponges.

Never thought of it that way, thnx Bred

No way I would use any HOB in any room where I spent quiet time. Have I mentioned that I am neurotic about noise? That I think that tanks are to be seen and not heard? If I can hear it, I don't want it in my tanks.