23 replies to this topic

[heath.bassett1]

Hey Guys,

 

I am new to the site and have only owned cichlids once before. i got the setup given to me so i didnt need to do anything, now i have to do a complete setup from scratch.

 

I have a 6x2x2 just aquired.

I am getting play sand from bunnings and a 300w heater

 

As for filters i found a few that i checked up on and they have decent reviews even though they are cheap.

 

i have a couple of questions:

 

What should my flow rate be considering the tank is around 600L? i got told 4 to 6 times the tank volume.

 

please take a look at these two filters below and let me know your thoughts. for and against, and why?

Any suggestions that dont cost an arm and a leg are very much appreciated

 

http://www.ebay.com....984.m1423.l2649

 

http://www.ebay.com....984.m1423.l2649

 

cheers in advance all

Edited by heath.bassett1, 23 June 2014 - 04:23 PM.

[malawiman85]

Just had a quick look. What are you going to do when the filter breaks down... and sooner or later it will. Warranty from the seller wont help, by then fish are dead or dying. Cheap is ok if you have a plan B. If not spend an extra 150 at a sponsor store that will sell you a better filter with a warranty that means something.
Im all for saving money with setups but the one thing you dont want to skimp on is filtration. For a few ideas check out Age of Aquariums and Aquarium Online Store. Im pretty sure both sites advertised recommended max tank sizes for each filter. Also consider two smaller filters instead of one big one.

[malawiman85]

And welcome to the forum mate.

[Michael the fish fanatic]

Welcome

[heath.bassett1]

i was even thinking of getting one aqua one... 2700uv for now, then a bit later,. grab another one same size of bit smaller?

 

As for the ones i posted, i was going to get two of them for the price i could get one aqua one...?

 

the reviews seem pretty good to tell the truth.

 

thanks... im sure i have too much to learn hahaha

Edited by heath.bassett1, 23 June 2014 - 05:19 PM.

[sandgroper]

And don't confuse flow rate (tank circulation) with filter rate (media volume) two totally different things. If it says on the box that it's good for a 600lt tank then it's good for about half that.

[TheTexasCichlidMasacre]

just to let you know Heath... i have owned an aqua one 2700... althought mine didnt have the built in uv.... you will have to cut the intake pipe on that filter for your 6x2x2 specially if you have a hood as that is the only aqua one cannister with a non ajustable intake pipe and its made to suit tanks that are 3 foot high not 2 foot ... which was something that annoyed the crap out of me lol... imho there are other aqua one cannisters like nautilus or the cf range that you could get 2 of those filters for almost same price as 1 2700 and they would both have adjustable intakes unlike the 2700... hope this helps ya mate

and btw... play sand from bunnings is crap... the best thing to get is river sand from soils aint soils they sell it in bags for similar price to the bunnings play sand .... looks very natural in tank ...

[Mr_docfish]

Good questions to ask - warranty (if you get it, who pays for postage and how much is it?), how much to filter media to fill them (they are generally empty when you get them, bar a couple of pads if you are lucky), and why don't suppliers of fish products sell these units? Those ebay sellers don't specialise in aquarium products - they sell generally anything on their store.... Do you truly trust that these units will keep your fish alive long term?.... That's if you can get spare parts for them....

[dori]

Is it possible for a external filter to empty out your entire tank if something goes wrong?

Edited by dori, 23 June 2014 - 09:44 PM.

[sandgroper]

It will continue to leak until the intake siphon is broken, so it will drain down to the depth of your intake.

[malawiman85]

Is it possible for a external filter to empty out your entire tank if something goes wrong?

+1 I think I remember it happening to one of the Committee members not that long ago.

Edited by malawiman85, 24 June 2014 - 06:11 AM.

[heath.bassett1]

thanks guys, 

 

all very helpful replies. sorry i couldnt get back to you earlier... its not working on my phone.

 

MASACRE- cheers heaps, i will grab that sand instead then, i like the whiter natural look... im guessing its really white and not yellow?

 

as for two smaller filters, i am definitely up for that... but can someone suggest two smaller filters that arent going to cost me an arm and a leg that will do the circulation rate required?

[Ronny]

just to let you know Heath... i have owned an aqua one 2700... althought mine didnt have the built in uv.... you will have to cut the intake pipe on that filter for your 6x2x2 specially if you have a hood as that is the only aqua one cannister with a non ajustable intake pipe and its made to suit tanks that are 3 foot high not 2 foot ... which was something that annoyed the crap out of me lol... imho there are other aqua one cannisters like nautilus or the cf range that you could get 2 of those filters for almost same price as 1 2700 and they would both have adjustable intakes unlike the 2700... hope this helps ya mate

and btw... play sand from bunnings is crap... the best thing to get is river sand from soils aint soils they sell it in bags for similar price to the bunnings play sand .... looks very natural in tank ...

 

 

LOL, I am currently using an AquaOne Nautilus.  The inlet pipe comes in two pieces.  If it's too long, use one piece instead of the two supplied. No need to cut it.  I am using it with one piece on a 2 foot deep tank and it works fine. 

 

Also, what makes the play sand crap?  The ONLY difference between the play sand and river sand is the texture and colour. 

[Westie]

can someone suggest two smaller filters that arent going to cost me an arm and a leg that will do the circulation rate required?

 

Get 2 x Astro 2212 filters. As a bonus, they are already filled with media

Link: http://www.aquariumo...anister-filter/

Local Warranty as well

[malawiman85]

Agree with Jason or a couple of Eheim 2217's... Overkill maybe but worry free filtering!

[TheTexasCichlidMasacre]

 <br /> <br />LOL, I am currently using an AquaOne Nautilus.  The inlet pipe comes in two pieces.  If it's too long, use one piece instead of the two supplied. No need to cut it.  I am using it with one piece on a 2 foot deep tank and it works fine. <br /> <br />Also, what makes the play sand crap?  The ONLY difference between the play sand and river sand is the texture and colour. 

<br /><br /><br /><br />Ronny the 2700 had Two pieces but the bottom<br />Pipe would not fit into the top if I left the other pieces of pipe out as it was fatter then the hole.,, and the intake with both pieces of pipe was higher then my<br />Hood!!! I used to have a nautilus 1100 which I never had problems<br />With only<br />Problems with that 2700<br /><br />I emailed aqua one at the time and was told that they had had so many complaints about the fact the 2700 had a non adjustable intake length but also lots of good feedback from<br />People with deeper tanks :/<br /><br /><br /><br />Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bowdy]

I agree fully play sand is crap. Looks shit. 100% on the river sand.

The astro 2212 is a fantastic filter. 2 of those and your laughing mate.

[Ronny]

<br /><br /><br /><br />Ronny the 2700 had Two pieces but the bottom<br />Pipe would not fit into the top if I left the other pieces of pipe out as it was fatter then the hole.,, and the intake with both pieces of pipe was higher then my<br />Hood!!! I used to have a nautilus 1100 which I never had problems<br />With only<br />Problems with that 2700<br /><br />I emailed aqua one at the time and was told that they had had so many complaints about the fact the 2700 had a non adjustable intake length but also lots of good feedback from<br />People with deeper tanks :/<br /><br /><br /><br />Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I've been using it for almost a yaer now with just the one pipe.  Works fine and I haven't had to email anyone to complain about it.

 

 

I agree fully play sand is crap. Looks shit. 100% on the river sand.

The astro 2212 is a fantastic filter. 2 of those and your laughing mate.

 

Again, what's crap about it?  river sand is pretty much play sand with a more coarser grain and a few rocks in it.

 

It's just an appearance thing.

[Kleinz]

It is appearance, but then appearance is pretty important or we'd not bother with glass and just have the fish in plastic tubs.

 

I believe that the play sand tends towards grains that are all the same size, or appear to be.The river sand has  a pretty varied grain size, which adds some texture to the substrate.

 

This in turn seems to lend the thing a more "natural" look.

 

As to canisters, I have  Eheims (never get one with a primer built in) and Ottos. I like both.

 

My 10c.

[Ronny]

If you want a fine white, clean sand for something like tang sand sifters, then you'd want play sand. If you want a more grainy earth look, then you go river sand. They look different. Doesn't make either of them crap. Just trying to point out a stupid statement.

But of course, you would just like to jump at a chance to disagree