The Puffer Forum

Hey peeps

On Nookis tank I have a aquaone filter external and since day one it has had me worried it is going to flood our top floor flat. I know externals are generally better than internals but Ive now found a puddle under the filter..can someone recommend a good internal for capacity 100g+ thank you

I'd go with a canister filter or a HOB power filter. Canisters have little chance of leak and do a good job with larger tanks and are easily hidden under the tank. I like both Marineland and Fluval canisters but some swear by Ehinems. For HOB I like the Aquaclear by Hagen, the 110 can handle 100 gallon tanks. For my big tanks I went with a Fluidized Sand Filter for biofiltration and a Fluval 505 for mechanical filter, the combo makes for excellent water quality.

Not a huge fan of internals because the only time I've used one it failed in a years time and my water params never stayed stable.....but if I would have to use one I'd go Ehinem.

You mean Eheim. I prefer HOB filters for smaller tanks & then add another HOB & an Eheim to ones over 50g.

I would avoid internals as well, they take up too much room, heat up the water too much, and don't generally come in sizes big enough for a tank that big.

I stick to either Hagen Aquaclear's for hang on back filters.. they are affordable, work great, but can be a bit noisy (waterfall sound). If you need quiet, go for a cannister. I personally think the easiest to use and most reliable ones for the best price are the Rena Filstars. I hate Fluvals.. they work okay but first you have to get the actual water flowing and priming those things has never been easy for me, even with the goofy little pump on top. Eheims are great filters that will last forever, but you'll also pay big bucks for the brand name. The "classic" ones are more affordable, but they are kind of a pain to clean since all the media is in one big basket.

so far i love m is super my marineland canister. it self primes and its super quiet

Ok here is where I go priming? lol

I have a canister filter cf 1000 by aquaone and there is something definately wrong now. Just gone to check and puddle of water around it again, slow seepage but still...

I wont be able to afford a full canister to start unless get good deal though will look at some of the names provided. This canister still makes me uneasy about getting another..

Im thinking that the 100g have with its lip around the edges will prevent me from having a HOB?

Im going to look around now, but how does a large internal sound for short term measure? Nooki is only 4 inch mark so hoping this ratio to the water capacity can allow me a little time?

im using internals for my fahaka tank atm too amy
my fahaka is same size as urs as well
i thought about getting a good external for when hes bigger
main thing putting me off is water leakage & flooding

my large internal is siliconed to my tank.
so will be staying longterm

i was thinking an external for when abe is bigger and producing more waste
the internals on their own would be insufficient

so i will be very interested to see what you go with long term!

I have an Aquaclear 110 on my 75, how wide is your lip? I can measure mine and see if it will work.

Going cheap with filters is never a good idea, especially those "like eheim" ones they sell on eBay. The plastic is very brittle, and tends to crack under the internal pressure.

If you need to save $$, the big Aquaclear would be your best option.

Myaj wrote:I personally think the easiest to use and most reliable ones for the best price are the Rena Filstars.

I second this. I have Rena Filstar xP canisters on all my tanks, and they're real workhorses. They also turn over a huge number of gallons per hour for their size and price. Love mine. PetMountain.com often has terrific sale prices on them.

Thanks so much for the help guys. Thanks Myaj really appreciate, the lip it is..ohhh looking between 4-5 inches! I have put the external into a large deep tray and so the leak is definate and contained. Me and my partner couldnt locate the source except it is underneath at the front left corner.. it looks a slow leak for now so leaving running.

If I did internal I would only do as short term measure from the advice given and get an external in the next couple of months.

4-5 inches? Holy smokes! I don't know what to tell you with that, even a cannister filter, you'd have to make your own plumbing to go over the side. That's really wide! An AC won't fit, my 110 has about an inch and a quarter to fit over the lip.

You're sure inches and not cm's.. just checking!

It has a special corner for external tubing which is good, thought it might be too wide HOB lol. It is a solid tank.

Seen this would appreciate what you peeps think:
Here is one that seems reasonable output but havent heard name:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AQUARIUM-BIO-FILT ... 53e24b093d
Rena FIlstar could consider putting offer on and he has the x3 which could try as well.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rena-Filstar-XP4- ... 4aa2b5c940
Also some Viatech not heard the brand either for £45


EDIT As to the lip, it has glass inlets all the way round so able to add glass sliding doors, chunky things that make cleaning glass difficult and catching fish worse! Good thing Nooki is in there on his lonesome and is a good boy

I confess to being a canister nut. I firmly believe that tanks should be seen and not heard. I also started way back in the era of many air-driven filters - bubble noise heaven. Unfortunately I outgrew the ability to tune out such noise many years ago.

I use canisters primarily, basically Eheims. I have been in this hobby over 50 years now, and have no plans to drop out now. I do not mind spending the money for high quality relatively energy-conservative equipment that will last significantly longer than I will (my son is looking forward to inheriting all my gear ). I use both internals and externals, generally multiple filters per tank. My tanks are set for low and easy upkeep - that is the only way that I can operate as many tanks as I do.

But even if you are unsure of how long you will be operating tanks,getting the best you can - rarely the least expensive - of any filter format you select will always give better results and lower risk and concern for for reliability. If you cannot go with canisters, I would suggest following Myaj and Pufferpunk,s advice. I know from the boards that the units they suggest are among the better ones on the market.

I have an internal & an external on my 55G - both Fluval. Used my previous Fluval for 10 years+ & its now still going strong on a friends smaller tank.

Sounds like an acrylic tank with a lip that big.

Try holding the canister empty( the shell of it where it leaks) up to a bright light source and you should see the light shine thru showing you where the hole is then grab a tube of 100% silicone to seal it up. Or try running it in a dry container or sink and hold a wad of paper towel where you suspect the leak is coming from. You must use 100% silicone when sealing fish tank stuff. Its the safest for our beloved pets