The Puffer Forum

Hi Guys/Gals

I'm looking at getting a corner tank built, but as its going to be flush into a corner I wont have room for pipework etc for an external filter system, So I'm looking for a Very Good Internal Filter filter.

The tank size is going to be roughly 500 litres.

I've been eyeing up the Juwel Bioflow 8.0 Jumbo, which is claimed for tank sizes up to 460l, but I cant seem to find out what the lph is?

Even still I would like a bigger filter than normal for my tank, maybe something recommended for 500l + size tanks, but it has to be internal

Has anyone ever used or using a Bioflow 8.0, are they any good? there used in the Juwel ranges of tanks from 350l + but I don't think it would be man enough for the job, not unless I use 2 of them side by side?

Does it really matter how bid the filter is?, is bigger better?, is there any benefit of using an oversized filter/pump for the size of a tank?

Any suggestions on a postcard,

Thanks peeps

i have a rio 400 juwel tank with the juwel jumbo internal fliter built into it
its a big filter with big sponge media in it, but the flow is slower than i would like.
i use it to point to the surface
and i use a fluval 3+ beside it for flow in the middle of the tank.
it does provide enough flow and filtration for my 3" fahaka so far
is this for your mbu?
what sz is he?

lesleyanndunn wrote:i have a rio 400 juwel tank with the juwel jumbo internal fliter built into it
its a big filter with big sponge media in it, but the flow is slower than i would like.
i use it to point to the surface
and i use a fluval 3+ beside it for flow in the middle of the tank.
it does provide enough flow and filtration for my 3" fahaka so far
is this for your mbu?
what sz is he?

Hiya,
Yeah because of how big he's getting, he's around 13 inches now, thats why I'd want a bigger filter than required for that size tank.hehe

i dont know about running 2 jumbos
will take up alot of your tank space as well
the new fluvals are good
look up fluval U range
i dont know if they would do along side a tank your size
largest is a U4, look up what tank size it would do up to?
i will have this prob when my fahaka grows
i dont want an external either, im paranoid about them leaking!

lesleyanndunn wrote:i dont know about running 2 jumbos
will take up alot of your tank space as well
the new fluvals are good
look up fluval U range
i dont know if they would do along side a tank your size
largest is a U4, look up what tank size it would do up to?
i will have this prob when my fahaka grows
i dont want an external either, im paranoid about them leaking!

Thanks for that,

I've just looked up the U4 but it's only recommended for tanks upto 260l, I'm sure sure whether running 2 side by side has any benefits.
I don't actually mind external filters, but how this tank is being done I physically cant use an external, not without having the pipework exit across the front of the tank which is a no go.

you think that they would do a decent internal filter for larger tanks.
the jumbo will provide the filtration you need
its more the flow i was wanting.
maybe you can get another suggestion from other forum member
its something i would be interested in as well for future reference.
your mbu is lovely btw!

lol you can allways cut out your sheetrock to run the lines for a external. I dont know of any internal filters built for that size of a tank. And useing 2 would IMO take up way to much room and not look good at all.

I would use some molding to surround the cutout to make it look nice and just run your lines that way? Unless your renting.

I only use micro filters for my tanks.. the larger filters (internal) are all DIY conversions. Not pretty but they work.

You can't even fit a Eheim canister on there?

Fluval filters are good filters. But it's not good enough for such a large tank. If you use the Fluval Plus series (Like Fluval 4 Plus), you can actually change them to the better. Take out the filter casette that came with the filter. Replace it all with a blue filter sponge (you can buy them online). You get more filter media this way. I've done this with all my internal Fluval filters, and they've improved quite a lot. Together with more filter media, the time between when you have to rinse them increses. Fluval filters are a bit sensitive to dirt on the impeller, but that has also improved after the change.

I'm not a big fan of Juwel filters. The filters that comes with Juwel tanks are usuallly under sized. The powerhead in the filter has a very small hole the water is sucked through, and it is easily clogged by dirt and snails. And Juwel filters are very sensitive to dirt on the impeller. I have one such filter, and every time there's a short break in the electricity (only half a second is enough), the filter won't start by itself again. Then I need to rinse the impeller once again. It worries me, because this can happen during my vacations, and then my tank will be without a filter running until I come home. My Juwel filter is a bit old though, so then can have improved it. But I don't think they have. I am not the only one who has experienced troublesome Juwel filters.

I was just looking at internal filters on eBay last night, there are some made for 450+ liters, but they are usually not name brands. However, I have a couple of Chinese ones that I swear by, better than any U-filter any day and much cheaper as well.
I don't believe in buying a brand name, I think money is wasted on the name. I bought a large external filter, no brand name, and it's really nice, got a UV light and all, but only cost a fraction of what one of those more popular brands would be, and using it is so easy.
But getting back to internal filters ..... take some time and look on eBay, there are some out there, but like I said, they are not famous names.

An aquaclear 110 powerhead with the micron prefilter cage on it, set inside a large sponge block (you could even get fancy and set the sponge into a piece of PVC pipe if you wanted, or if the puffer bites the sponge) is a setup I have heard works amazingly as a tiny, truly powerful internal filter for large freshwater tanks.