Best Filter for a 20g *soon to be planted*

Sowilu · 07-20-2007, 11:55 AM

I will be changing my fish tank into a planted one and I want to know which filters are the best and which ones to stay away from? Do plants care? fish? or both?

I don't have anything sett up until I can find a home for my Convicts. I already bought the gravel. Will be getting the other stuff pretty soon.

**JustOneMore20** · 07-20-2007, 12:09 PM

If you can, get a small canister filter. I like the Rena brands, but Eheim and Fluval are good as well. For the Rena I don't think the XP2 would be overkill, as you can turn down the outflow. The XP1 would be fine as well, but there is little media space.

For the Eheim and Fluval models, someone else will have to suggest a certain filter because I don't have experience with them.

HOB filters are ok with planted tanks, but just make sure you keep the water level up to prevent alot of surface agitation.

A canister filter would be my first suggestion, if you can get one.

**Damon** · 07-20-2007, 03:29 PM

A Fluval 205 would work as well. An Eheim ecco model will work. Canisters are better suited for planted tanks as all you really want from them is mechanical and occasionally chemical filtration. YOu can also keep the spraybar under the water level to prevent too much agitation. I place mine vertically with the top hole just below the water line. (You do want some agitation).

swordtailbreedr · 07-20-2007, 05:42 PM

you could also get the smallest marinland canister i like them alot

**Damon** · 07-20-2007, 05:59 PM

A duetto would come nowhere close to adequate waterflow (most important) and filtration (second).

Sowilu · 07-20-2007, 06:49 PM

Where can I find this filters at? Drs. Foster and Smith have them but they are way to big (I think) for my 20g.

**JustOneMore20** · 07-20-2007, 07:03 PM

There is no such thing as too much filtration though IMO.

The XP1 and XP3 are at Drs F&S: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...2&N=2004+22777

The Eheim ECCO series is also there: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...7&N=2004+22777

And here is the Fluval 205 (a little more than the others): http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...3&N=2004+22777.

Any of those would be fine.

edit: Ahh, now I see that you found them already at Drs F&S. Your lfs may carry one or 2 of them, but they will most likely be alot more pricey.

Clerk · 07-21-2007, 01:10 AM

I have a fluval 204, 305 and a rena XP3, I use the Rena on my planted tank. From my use of the filters I would recommend the Rena, However, I have not used Ehiem, so I cannot say for them, but all I have heard is good.

Sowilu · 07-23-2007, 11:22 AM

What about this filter is it good size?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Fluval-105-Canis...QQcmdZViewItem

Sowilu · 07-23-2007, 11:36 AM

What about this one?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...6851&rd=1&rd=1

**JustOneMore20** · 07-23-2007, 12:36 PM

I think either one of those would be fine. The second one would be more water turnover, which is an advantage, but the first one would be fine.

Apotheosis · 07-23-2007, 01:03 PM

The second one is cheaper and would have greater water turnover. I'd go with it.

Sowilu · 07-23-2007, 01:18 PM

I will go for the second one if I don't get beat to it that is. I already got the CO2 got it new of off ebay for only $7.50. I will see if I can make it to the filter.

Sowilu · 07-24-2007, 08:20 AM

Well I missed the bid on the second filter and so know I have to look for another one. Should I go with the first one or look for one like the second one?

What about this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA:IT&ih=015

Or this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA:IT&ih=015

Triadtropz · 07-24-2007, 08:36 AM

good luck with your tank!...

Apotheosis · 07-25-2007, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sowilu

Well I missed the bid on the second filter and so know I have to look for another one. Should I go with the first one or look for one like the second one?

What about this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA:IT&ih=015

Or this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA:IT&ih=015

I can't compare because they're both the exact same item.

Sowilu · 07-25-2007, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apotheosis

I can't compare because they're both the exact same item.

Woops! Anyways they are long gone too. I will wait until I can buy another one soon. I will be going with the Fluval though. Thanks!

Apotheosis · 07-25-2007, 06:26 PM

Fluval is a great brand. You can't go wrong with Rena, Cascade (Penn Plax), Marineland, or Eheim either.

Sowilu · 07-28-2007, 02:21 PM

Found this one is it a good one or should I go with the ones that are outside?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Hagen-Fluval-2-P...QQcmdZViewItem

Anybody have one? Is it the same performace as the one outside or the same?

07-20-2007, 11:55 AM	#1
Sowilu ┼{§}Nena{§}┼ Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: NC Age: 19 Posts: 308 User Feedback: (1)	Best Filter for a 20g soon to be planted I will be changing my fish tank into a planted one and I want to know which filters are the best and which ones to stay away from? Do plants care? fish? or both? I don't have anything sett up until I can find a home for my Convicts. I already bought the gravel. Will be getting the other stuff pretty soon. __________________ Fish:1 betta, 5 zebra danios, 4 cories, 3 long fin danios, 2 neon tetras, an apple snail, and 2 C shrimps. Plants: 1 Java Fern, 4 vallisneria, java moss

07-20-2007, 12:09 PM	#2
JustOneMore20 Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Alabama, US Age: 22 Posts: 3,479 User Feedback: (2)	If you can, get a small canister filter. I like the Rena brands, but Eheim and Fluval are good as well. For the Rena I don't think the XP2 would be overkill, as you can turn down the outflow. The XP1 would be fine as well, but there is little media space. For the Eheim and Fluval models, someone else will have to suggest a certain filter because I don't have experience with them. HOB filters are ok with planted tanks, but just make sure you keep the water level up to prevent alot of surface agitation. A canister filter would be my first suggestion, if you can get one. __________________ *Kristin* 5 Planted tanks: 55g, 40g, 29g, 10g, 5.5g 10g N. multifasciatus tank, 5.5g Platy fry

07-20-2007, 03:29 PM	#3
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982 User Feedback: (0)	A Fluval 205 would work as well. An Eheim ecco model will work. Canisters are better suited for planted tanks as all you really want from them is mechanical and occasionally chemical filtration. YOu can also keep the spraybar under the water level to prevent too much agitation. I place mine vertically with the top hole just below the water line. (You do want some agitation). __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

07-20-2007, 05:59 PM	#5
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982 User Feedback: (0)	A duetto would come nowhere close to adequate waterflow (most important) and filtration (second). __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

07-20-2007, 06:49 PM	#6
Sowilu ┼{§}Nena{§}┼ Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: NC Age: 19 Posts: 308 User Feedback: (1)	Where can I find this filters at? Drs. Foster and Smith have them but they are way to big (I think) for my 20g. __________________ Fish:1 betta, 5 zebra danios, 4 cories, 3 long fin danios, 2 neon tetras, an apple snail, and 2 C shrimps. Plants: 1 Java Fern, 4 vallisneria, java moss

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07-20-2007, 05:42 PM	#4
swordtailbreedr Banned Join Date: Mar 2007 Age: 16 Posts: 400 User Feedback: (0)	you could also get the smallest marinland canister i like them alot

07-20-2007, 07:03 PM	#7
JustOneMore20 Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Alabama, US Age: 22 Posts: 3,479 User Feedback: (2)	There is no such thing as too much filtration though IMO. The XP1 and XP3 are at Drs F&S: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...2&N=2004+22777 The Eheim ECCO series is also there: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...7&N=2004+22777 And here is the Fluval 205 (a little more than the others): http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...3&N=2004+22777. Any of those would be fine. edit: Ahh, now I see that you found them already at Drs F&S. Your lfs may carry one or 2 of them, but they will most likely be alot more pricey. __________________ *Kristin* 5 Planted tanks: 55g, 40g, 29g, 10g, 5.5g 10g N. multifasciatus tank, 5.5g Platy fry

07-21-2007, 01:10 AM	#8
Clerk Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Oregon Posts: 462 User Feedback: (0)	I have a fluval 204, 305 and a rena XP3, I use the Rena on my planted tank. From my use of the filters I would recommend the Rena, However, I have not used Ehiem, so I cannot say for them, but all I have heard is good.

07-23-2007, 11:22 AM	#9
Sowilu ┼{§}Nena{§}┼ Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: NC Age: 19 Posts: 308 User Feedback: (1)	What about this filter is it good size? http://cgi.ebay.com/Fluval-105-Canis...QQcmdZViewItem __________________ Fish:1 betta, 5 zebra danios, 4 cories, 3 long fin danios, 2 neon tetras, an apple snail, and 2 C shrimps. Plants: 1 Java Fern, 4 vallisneria, java moss

07-23-2007, 11:36 AM	#10
Sowilu ┼{§}Nena{§}┼ Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: NC Age: 19 Posts: 308 User Feedback: (1)	What about this one? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...6851&rd=1&rd=1 __________________ Fish:1 betta, 5 zebra danios, 4 cories, 3 long fin danios, 2 neon tetras, an apple snail, and 2 C shrimps. Plants: 1 Java Fern, 4 vallisneria, java moss

07-23-2007, 12:36 PM	#11
JustOneMore20 Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Alabama, US Age: 22 Posts: 3,479 User Feedback: (2)	I think either one of those would be fine. The second one would be more water turnover, which is an advantage, but the first one would be fine. __________________ *Kristin* 5 Planted tanks: 55g, 40g, 29g, 10g, 5.5g 10g N. multifasciatus tank, 5.5g Platy fry

07-23-2007, 01:03 PM	#12
Apotheosis Adamant Minded Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Location is only a matter of physical being. The perceiving mind is omnipresent. Age: 17 Posts: 352 User Feedback: (0)	The second one is cheaper and would have greater water turnover. I'd go with it.

07-23-2007, 01:18 PM	#13
Sowilu ┼{§}Nena{§}┼ Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: NC Age: 19 Posts: 308 User Feedback: (1)	I will go for the second one if I don't get beat to it that is. I already got the CO2 got it new of off ebay for only $7.50. I will see if I can make it to the filter. __________________ Fish:1 betta, 5 zebra danios, 4 cories, 3 long fin danios, 2 neon tetras, an apple snail, and 2 C shrimps. Plants: 1 Java Fern, 4 vallisneria, java moss

07-24-2007, 08:20 AM	#14
Sowilu ┼{§}Nena{§}┼ Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: NC Age: 19 Posts: 308 User Feedback: (1)	Well I missed the bid on the second filter and so know I have to look for another one. Should I go with the first one or look for one like the second one? What about this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA:IT&ih=015 Or this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA:IT&ih=015 __________________ Fish:1 betta, 5 zebra danios, 4 cories, 3 long fin danios, 2 neon tetras, an apple snail, and 2 C shrimps. Plants: 1 Java Fern, 4 vallisneria, java moss Last edited by Sowilu; 07-24-2007 at 08:28 AM.

07-24-2007, 08:36 AM	#15
Triadtropz Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Age: 46 Posts: 2 User Feedback: (0)	good luck with your tank!...

07-25-2007, 06:26 PM	#18
Apotheosis Adamant Minded Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Location is only a matter of physical being. The perceiving mind is omnipresent. Age: 17 Posts: 352 User Feedback: (0)	Fluval is a great brand. You can't go wrong with Rena, Cascade (Penn Plax), Marineland, or Eheim either.

07-28-2007, 02:21 PM	#19
Sowilu ┼{§}Nena{§}┼ Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: NC Age: 19 Posts: 308 User Feedback: (1)	Found this one is it a good one or should I go with the ones that are outside? http://cgi.ebay.com/Hagen-Fluval-2-P...QQcmdZViewItem Anybody have one? Is it the same performace as the one outside or the same? __________________ Fish:1 betta, 5 zebra danios, 4 cories, 3 long fin danios, 2 neon tetras, an apple snail, and 2 C shrimps. Plants: 1 Java Fern, 4 vallisneria, java moss Last edited by Sowilu; 07-28-2007 at 02:59 PM.

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