hungryemo Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 Okay, so we have a four foot tank that holds about 180 litres. I'd posted a photo and was advised the filter it came with is a bit pants (as suspected) and it was said an external cannister filter would do the job correctly. So... I'm now a little confused as to which brand to get? I've been looking on eBay for something and there price and product range is just all over the shop. I'm really confused as to which brands to look out for and which ones to avoid - though, obviously, would like to grab a deal if possible. Can anyone help me out with what I should be looking for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_95 Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 Aquaone aquis is a great budget option, I got my 1200 for $80 at my lfs, don't expect to find that price often though. Becareful buying on ebay, make sure it comes with hoses, taps, media and isn't a grey import. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2littlerevheads Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 we have a EHEIM CLASSIC 2215 Aquarium Canister filter great filter and easy to use. and around the $90 mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yanagi Posted October 13, 2011 Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 ?? Did I get moderated? My comment is gone... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neffy Posted October 13, 2011 Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 I cant see anything in the place deleted posts go, maybe a malfunction ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hungryemo Posted October 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 Thanks guys. I take it that Aqua One and EHEIM are two of the best brands for aquarium stuff? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2littlerevheads Posted October 13, 2011 Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 we only have a EHEIM running our 3ft and we have had it for around 3 years now and have had no problems . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yanagi Posted October 13, 2011 Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 (edited) Ok guess I'll re-write it. Eheim is your top of the range canister filter. It has all the best media and is jam packed full of it. The pipes that come with it are resistant towards algae growth and all that awesome stuff. They also stay pretty soft and supple as opposed to cheaper pipes that turn rock hard after a while. Aqua One is your good budget option. They ( think all of them?) come with bioballs which just need to be thrown out as they are entirely useless when completely submerged. You get a small amount of so-so media, better off replacing it with eheim media. The sponges are ok though. I wouldn't even look at any other brands at all. The exact filter you need does depend on what you intend to stock in the tank and how heavily you will be stocking it. If you plan on keeping a long finned male Betta in this tank then ignore the following information because it will blow the fins right off the fish. You want a minimum of 4x turnover rate of your total volume for tropical fish. So 180 x 4 = 770l p/h is a minimum of what you want. To achieve that I would be looking at Eheim Professional 2226 Aqua One Nautilus 1100 Hope that helps. Edited October 13, 2011 by Yan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hungryemo Posted October 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 Thank you, Yan. No Bettas in this tank (just in every single other tank I have/will be getting!). :blush: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadoh Posted October 13, 2011 Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 I've had a Fluval 405 filtering my 4 foot tank for the past 7 years and it runs like clockwork... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zhong89 Posted October 13, 2011 Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 I use an ehiem 2213 on a 3ft tank. I've used fulval and ehiem and found ehiem so much better. If you buy online or at a shop that sells them for good prices (they're considerable difference between the different shops so literally pays to shop around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishbites Posted October 13, 2011 Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 Fluval and Eheim for quality .... Aqua one is pretty reliable - can get parts easily - up to 3 years warranty..... Cheap Chinese filters - some have a reputation for leaking, poor seals, impellers wearing out easily /quickly, no spare parts in most cases.... You get what you pay for - if you want cheap for a short time and then throw away - go ebay cheap If you want reliable for a long time go for the brand names.... Remember; the flow rate quoted for most canister filters is for when the filter is empty of media - not when it's pumping water up to the top of the tank through a canister full of media.... if you want a turn over of 770 litres / hr then look at buying at least a 1500 l/hr filter.... over filtering is not a sin..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hungryemo Posted November 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 So we ended up getting an Eheim Classic. It's been a few weeks... and it is now leaking. Any ideas on how to fix it? The water is coming out from where the lid sits on and latches (it's all sealed up as it always has been and we've looked it over several times but can't see what the problem is). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melbournebetta Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 Unless you bought it second hand - take it back!! I have a 2215, and i love it to bits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2littlerevheads Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 we have the same one as melbournebetta and we love it too. never had a problem. if it brand new i would be taking it back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hungryemo Posted November 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 Yep. Brand new. Well, out with the new and in with the newer... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishbites Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 Before taking it back - check that you have the rubber sealing ring in the right place and that it hasn't been pinched or displaced slightly when you put the head on the canister.... usually the major cause for leaks with canister filters..... if there is no rubber ring look in the box or around the place - if not there ask for a replacement..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zui Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 I use a ehiem 2217 on my 4' x 18" x 18" and it does the job perfectly. So unless there is a manufacturing defect you may have pincheched the seal (not hard to do) inspect the o'ring and go from there. Your LFS should have replacement parts in stock. HTH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hungryemo Posted November 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2011 Chceked the rubber ring yesterday, did the whole vaseline shebang, and it's still leaking. <_< Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zui Posted November 11, 2011 Report Share Posted November 11, 2011 Sounds like it should be a boomerang. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melbournebetta Posted November 11, 2011 Report Share Posted November 11, 2011 yep - take it back, even if you're using it wrong (I couldn't for the life of me get mine going first up) They'll show you either how to use it, or replace the bung bits. x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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