filter?
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Some people still swear by undergravel filters, but there are a lot of reasons not to use one. The main one being that an undergravel filter will quickly lose efficiency and continue to, pretty much no matter what you do, because you can't give it a really good cleaning without tearing up your tank.
As for what kind of filter is best for you, it kind of depends on your tank. What kind of tank ya got and how big?
A couple things in the meantime: a lot of people love Marineland's biowheel power filters (they're HOB) as they do a good job of biological filtration, but I've read they aren't great for planted tanks as they'll remove co2. (correct me if i'm wrong) For larger tanks, canister filters are popular b/c they have a lot more surface area for media, since they sit outside your tank they don't have to be as small as most other filters.
People differ on brands; I'm guessing you'll get more feedback about that!
if you feel like reading a detailed article about filter types, i've got one up on our site
How to Choose a Filter
As for what kind of filter is best for you, it kind of depends on your tank. What kind of tank ya got and how big?
A couple things in the meantime: a lot of people love Marineland's biowheel power filters (they're HOB) as they do a good job of biological filtration, but I've read they aren't great for planted tanks as they'll remove co2. (correct me if i'm wrong) For larger tanks, canister filters are popular b/c they have a lot more surface area for media, since they sit outside your tank they don't have to be as small as most other filters.
People differ on brands; I'm guessing you'll get more feedback about that!
if you feel like reading a detailed article about filter types, i've got one up on our site
How to Choose a Filter
I upgraded to a Hagen AquaClear on my 29g after several people here told me about them. So far I've been quite pleased with it. It's very quite and easy to use and swap out different kinds of filter media. You can also control the flow of the water that goes back into the tank.
I also like the Whisper 10i, which is a filter that sits inside my 10g. It's a HOB filter. It's also extremely quite.
I also like the Whisper 10i, which is a filter that sits inside my 10g. It's a HOB filter. It's also extremely quite.
I had a UG filter in my 55g. It was horrible. I ended up having to tear the tank up for another reason...when I pulled the plates of the filter up...it was SO nasty under there. It was running on my filter and a powerhead...it should have had plenty of flow under there...but was still horribly nasty. Go with either canister or HOB...I'm running a HOB on the 55 now...I'm about to run 2 HOB's on it. Stay far far away from UG filters.
truth
theres no reason that a bottom undergravel filter with a reasonable amount of gravel that gets cleaned frequently and properly will not work well. just find out what the requirements and the benefits and drawbacks are before you buy the filter. all filters need maintenance without exception, regardless of the type.
theres no reason that a bottom undergravel filter with a reasonable amount of gravel that gets cleaned frequently and properly will not work well. just find out what the requirements and the benefits and drawbacks are before you buy the filter. all filters need maintenance without exception, regardless of the type.
This is true. However IMO HOB filters (never had a canister) do a better job the the UG filter, and maintaining them is as easy as switching your insert every few weeks. Yes, if you keep a very well maintained tank, you UG filter can do a good job. But, they can also collect lots of nastyness under the plates, and you can end up with sludgy badness under there.
I personally say HOB or canister.
I personally say HOB or canister.