Question: Adding a new filter

[rb6k]

So I am looking to add a cannister filter after reading the sticky and deciding that I want to spend on something that works well for my axolotl.

I wanted to check a few things specifically -

first off should I have my old filter running alongside my new one for a while? Or should I just maybe squeeze some of the dirty bits from the current filter into the new one? I am not really sure whats best but I don't want to lose the bacteria that will be keeping the biology of the tank in check.

I'm also not 100% sure whether the cannister filters would be ok? I basically want something much more efficient at cleaning than the sponge filter I have now, but it can't have a current. Do cannister filters provide oxygen aswell? My air pump is noisy and frustrating, even though I have hung it from the tank to try and avoid the vibrations.

Lastly how expensive do you go on this sort of thing? (examples would be awesome as I don't know where to look) Could a good cannister filter suck axolotl poo without creating a current? I don't really see how (and don't really expect the filter to do this) but if it'll keep the water well filtered and all I then have to do is the regular changes still that'd be grand.

 

[SariYappa]

I don't have all the answers, but. I do suggest you look up the info about this canister filter. I did a lot of research, and this is what I got. I am very happy, although it is still very new

Eheim Classic Canister Filter with Media - 2213

I use this model for my 65 gallon... You will have to get the right size for your setup :happy:

I don't know who to buy it from in the. U k, but they have been around for 30 yrs, made in Germany and sold in most countries. You should see how many languages the instructions come in!

 

[Kairus]

So I am looking to add a cannister filter after reading the sticky and deciding that I want to spend on something that works well for my axolotl.

I wanted to check a few things specifically -

first off should I have my old filter running alongside my new one for a while? Or should I just maybe squeeze some of the dirty bits from the current filter into the new one? I am not really sure whats best but I don't want to lose the bacteria that will be keeping the biology of the tank in check.

I'm also not 100% sure whether the cannister filters would be ok? I basically want something much more efficient at cleaning than the sponge filter I have now, but it can't have a current. Do cannister filters provide oxygen aswell? My air pump is noisy and frustrating, even though I have hung it from the tank to try and avoid the vibrations.

Lastly how expensive do you go on this sort of thing? (examples would be awesome as I don't know where to look) Could a good cannister filter suck axolotl poo without creating a current? I don't really see how (and don't really expect the filter to do this) but if it'll keep the water well filtered and all I then have to do is the regular changes still that'd be grand.

If you're using a sponge filter you can cut the sponge up and put it into one of the canister's trays. Canisters don't provide any form of aeration, water doesn't touch any oxygen while inside the canister.

The current put out by the filter will depend on how much GPH it pushes and how you orient the outflow.

 

[Possum63]

Hello

I have three canister filters. All the same brand because it is the brand that works exceptionally well for me. I've never had any issues and it is exceptionally quite (you have to have your ear firmly against the canister to here it working lol). The brand is Aqua one. Although, that said, Ehiem is an exceptional brand. But enough about branding, onto your questions

You can run your old filter with your new one till your new one cycles. Or, like mentioned above, you can chop up your sponge filter and put it in your canister. Canisters you can chop and change and choose exactly what media you want in them - it's a great benefit of it. They keep my tanks crystal clear. I have two tankings up and running currently, one fish with about thirty fish in it and one lotl tank with three lotls. They don't suck up a poo "pellet" per se but if it is broken down (eg when you lotl goes silly and swimming straight through breaking it down) I find it does suck it in. Also, I have very fine silica sand and I don't have any problems with my filter sucking in the sand.

As for providing oxygen it doesn't. BUT I have my spray bars pointing up so it breaking the surface and creating oxygen and bubbles in the water. I feel it's just as good as a air pump. For the flow, all canisters come with spray bars. If you have these either pointed straight up (Like I do) or directly towards the glass, you have very minimal current. This is a huge benefit with lotls and (i think) one of the reasons they are recommended for keeping axolotls.

Now for cost - they ain't cheap. I paid $100ea for mine and it was half price. But in my honest opinion, I think canisters are worth the money. They work efficiently and get the job done and mine have never skipped a beat. And they are the best filter I have used for keeping lotls.

To sum up a few great points about canisters:
-Spray bars allow you to choose the current you want
-Low maintenance (once a month wash out)
-Efficient at cleaning
-Quiet!! (Not sure if all are quiet as mine but I *think* they are all relatively quiet compared to most filters)
-Can double as an air pump when you have the spray bar disrupting the water surface
-Can choose whatever media you want and the have mechanical, biological and chemical(if you want) filtration.


Hope this helps

**Please note: This info is based PURELY on my personal experience and what I have read when looking into purchasing for the first time**

 

[layna]

I know youve stated you want a canister filter but i get confused haha.
I have a lfs brand internal filter that just suctions to the corner of the tank, it has three sections, the bottom section is a motor thingy, the second section had charcoal in it but i swapped it out for ceramic bio balls and the top section has a course sponge with big holes in it and a fine sponge above it, it then has a spray bar coming out the top that disrupts the water surface and adds oxygen, and only cost £20!
Also I have not had any problems with it.
Im unsure about the filters types and everything but i think, some people just use a sponge filter, and get along fine so anything more is an added bonus really.
No matter what filter you have your still going to have to do water changes so i dont like the idea of spending a LOT of money on a filter, that will do the same thing as a cheaper one.
This is just my opinion though

 

[auntiejude]

The real benefit of canisters is that you can customise the layers according to your needs. Mine has a fine filter of felt, 2 coarse sponge layers, a ceramic tube layer for bacteria growth, a coarse plastic ball layer and a carbon filter layer. I could replace any of the layes with something else as the whole thing is modular. The outlet is a pipe with lots of holes aimed at the wall - minimum current.

It takes care of almost everything except large 'bean' poops, and is fairly quiet.

I also have a Eheim vac for the broken down poops - stupid expensive but probably the best thing I have bought (other than the axies themselves)!

For aeration I have a bubble curtain - my axies like to 'surf' in the bubbles. It doesn't create enough current to bother the axies.

What ever you get you should be armed with a turkey baster to remove poop and uneater food (unless you want to invest in a vac)

 

[layna]

Haha yes defiantly a turkey baster! That is the most useful thing ive bought for my axies
Can anyone tell me the basic differences between an internal filter and a cannister filter becuase i cant see the difference, does a cannister filter go outside the tank?

 

[Mortimer]

Yes. Canister filters are outside the tank.

Also, internal/submerged filters have a tendency to heat up the water a bit.

 

[layna]

Ah i see, haha well im in the uk so i dont really have a water temp problem, thanks for clearing that up for me, i still like my little internal filter

 

[rb6k]

Thank you everyone for the replies!

I went to a shop today to take a look at some cannisters and was told they don't sell them but they have external filters...which to me looked like cannister filters...so what is the difference here? These ones seemed insane, you paid £80 for it then every 6 months you were replacing all the filter materials for about £50 a pop if you replace all 4 at once. In $ thats $80 every 2-6 months he said.

I obviously just said "ok thanks" and left. I'd expect to replace the materials but that often at that cost seems insane. Has he got confused? Am I confused? Are there different types of filters here? This was a big cylindrical filter with a tube out of the tank and a tube in, you could alter the flow speed, it had several chambers...looked like the right thing just he confused me.

The filter I have isn't playing up or anything, its just a £25 sponge one I got at the time I bought the lotl and the sponge is beginning to look a bit ropey - is that supposed to happen? Its just permanently stained now even if I squeeze it out in a bucket of tank water.

 

[auntiejude]

Ask yourself "what is this guy at the LFS here for?" and the answer is "he wants to sell me stuff". Of course he's going to tell you to buy more filter material on a regular basis!

Most filters can be maintained by regular cleaning, meaning you only have to change the material when it becomes useless. Yes, the filter medium will become stained, but it doesn't matter as long as it's doing it's job. And if you replace all the filter layes you have to cycle your tank again.

The only bit that DOES need replacing regularly is the carbon layer because of the way it works (google 'activated charcoal') but the charcoal layer is optional once your tank is established. The others just need a good rinse in dechlorinated water to keep everything running smoothly. You may need to replace bits from time to time, but not as frequently as the LFS or manufacturers say.

My experience says the coarse sponge will take forever (well, a long time) to wear out and need replacing, carbon (if you use it) needs to be replaced every 2-3 months, felt need replacing every 6-12 months or so when it starts to fall apart. If the filter has a ceramic tube layer or plastic balls (surface area for bacteria) it should never need replacing in your axie's lifetime.

I was told many years ago (and this is probably and old cheat method) that you can replace your felt layer with an old cut down t-shirt (one so old it is faded to nothing) that has been boiled to remove washing powder residue. Not tempted to try it myself, but I can see the logic :lol:

 

[layna]

From what i can grasp from my understanding, cannister filters and internal filters essentially do the same job (different chambers for different things, spray bar into the tank) except an internal one can heat the water a little and a cannister has more chambers, but takes up more room as its outside the tank?

I was reading on some other fish forums and they all came to the conclusion that if you want the carbon/charcoal to work to its best, it needs replacing every 10-14 days as thats when it stops being efficient.
I think thats just a total waste of money to keep replacing that, so i looked into ceramic bio balls and plastic bio balls and my research lead me to plastic bio balls being best for wet/dry filters and ceramic being best for submerged filters.

If your not having any problems with your water quality or anything, then you could just buy a replacement sponge and continue to scoop the poop when you see them with the sponge filter, or even just keep your sponge filter and add a cheap filter to you tank and have them both running together.