Cheapest filter for 4ft tank? - advice needed -

[cori]

Hi All,
Just wondering if anyone had any idea's for effectively filtering a 4ft tank ( about 250L ) without spending too much?

Regards Eastern_axle

 

[amber]

Canister filter.
eBay.

Keep an eye on the postage though.

 

[matthew]

id highly recommend the "Aquaone 1200CF" - I have two, though I only use one and it works a treat. Adjustable input and output flow! Also, if you ever get a chiller for your 4 ft tank, it will have Canister filter fittings too, but more on that later.

 

[atilla]

hi ive got a eheim 2008 internal filter...got it for 60bux but its one of best, waters clear had no trouble with any cloudy water naffin.

 

[cori]

I currently have a water-fall filter on my smaller tank and so far I haven't had a problem with it, my axie's love swimming up and down the current!

It runs at 380 L.P.H ( I have tested this and it actually runs a little faster than that.

Whilst in my local pet shop today I noticed another waterfall filter but the next model up which has an even higher turnover rate, They're the Cascade brand by Penn-Plax which have a 3 year warranty ( anyone had this brand before? )

I will be checking out the above mentioned filters but any thoughts on having a waterfall filter at each end?

Really want to get this tank going for christmas!

Regards Eastern_axle

 

[matthew]

personally I hate waterfall filters. You virtually have to fill the tank to the brim to stop that irritating "water splashing on water" noise. Also, the shaft that drives the motor is prone to swelling, thus creating friction on the magnet, thus stopping the filter, etc etc. Long rant short, I'd recommend an external canister filter over a waterfall/cascade filter any day of the week. Personal opinion though.

 

[matthew]

In fact Cori, I have a spare external canister filter...If you want, I can drain it (it was used in a salt water tank) and we can arrange to have it posted down.

It's a knock off of the Aqua One range, called "One Aqua". It's a 1200LPH canister, but it has adjustable input and output so you can control the speed water enters and exists the filter, thus controlling current in your tank.

 

[cori]

Thanks Matthew!

Sounds great, one thing that I was thinking may be a problem

Would the salt have seeped into the filter?
Does anyone know the chance of health problems from using a second hand filter?
What precautions should I take?

Regards Eastern_axle

 

[matthew]

I'll clean it thoroughly, and remove the current filter sponge, etc from it so all you'll need is new filter media (the sponge, charcoal etc). It shouldn't be a problem but remember as it's technically a "new" filter you'll still need to cycle it for a month to get the bacteria going...Unless you leave your current established filter in the tank, filtering it too. Then I'd imagine after a month or so it would be ok to remove the waterfall as the Canister filter should have caught up by that stage.

Anyone can feel free to correct me here, I'm just using fuzzy logic