FishProfiles.com Message Forums

What filter would you use in a 10 gallon? I want efective and dont have a price range.

I use outside box filter so i think i might lean that way, but i need to know what you guys use and mabey some pointers on them.

33 gallon 7 neon tetras-5 platys-3 bleeding heart tetras-2 corys-1 rainbow shark-2 L83 gibby plecos

one word..aquaclear.
I love my aquaclear filters, you have so many options for filter media and I think they work great.

its me sk8freak20...i need to get premie so i can change my name back

Id go for an eheim aquaball in anything less than a 30, they last decades, modular so you can clean or remove sections as you wish and put any type of media in them. You can add sections if you want a bigger tank later on,and the powerhead is rated for up to 30 gal, and the quality and impellor motor is isolated so well they are suitable for marine use. Has a venturi head, and adjustable flow. I have 8 of them kicking around the house and I use them for many things from running betta and fry tanks and quarantines, to providing extra oxygen and circulation in bigger tanks, and sometimes just a single module with a carbon insert to polish water or to get rid of meds in a simple and removable way when you already have a much bigger filter running that you dont want to have to take apart.

Eheims , the aquaball included, tend to be virtually silent in operation, which lets face it, is nice You'll find them kicking around second hand on ebay , and with eheim reliability you know its not going to up and die on you because of previous use. You'll always be able to get spares too. Their design is simple, yet clever, in fact its amazing how you can take them pretty much apart aside from the impellor, and leave them running while you clean the media etc. None of this struggling with crappy filter inserts and cartridges a la rena or fluval. You'll also find when you buy one that an aquaball commonly contains double the media space of filters rated for the same volume of water, and a higher optional flow rate than most internals too. Theres no weight pressure on the glass like some hobs cause, and the vibration is pretty much non-existant, and unlike most other internals, the holding cradle sticks so well it actually takes some removing! The head can be pointed in pretty much any direction you like. Its probably the most flexible small filter you can buy.

Very tough little filter, and the plastic lasts ages, the plastic on the hagen aquaclears becomes a little brittle with age and exposure to uv, but to be fair, the aquaclear isnt a bad filter either.

If you plan to have this tank setup forever and aren't worried about cost I'd actually go with one of eheims small cannisters instead of an hob. An eheim ecco 2232 would be more than enough for any setup and eheim cannisters are known for their long life.

If you want something simple that will still last a long time I'd go with an aquaclear 20. I have penguin filters that are still running 5years later and the aquaclear is supposedly of even better quality. Chances are unless you are harder on it than usual (letting it suck up sand constantly or something like that) you'll take the tank down before you'll replace the aquaclear and it costs far less with plenty of media options.

I had a Eheim Aqua Ball in my 32lt Betta tank and it did a terrific job. I then upgraded to a larger internal Eheim 2008. Both are exceptionally quiet and very efficient.
The only thing with the smaller Eheims they must be cleaned weekly to make them work effectivly. There is no problen doing this and it only takes a few extra minutes to do at each weekly water change.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info

Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

thanks alot again guys! Im going with a eheim canister im still open for more ideas!!!!

33 gallon 7 neon tetras-5 platys-3 bleeding heart tetras-2 corys-1 rainbow shark-2 L83 gibby plecos

I have an Aqua Clear HOB on ym 20g, has been jsut awesome, nto noisy, was inexpensive and has worked well thus far.... no complaints!

Sorry, i have to agree with Scott. AQ HOB's are the best. I have the smallest one on my 10 gallon and it works great. I have the largest on my 35 gallon and never have a problem. Adjustable flows, they come with everything from foam to carbon. No need to go buy anything else and they are mega cheap too.

Shane

Thanks for your input as always, Shane
http://thetanklog.blogspot.com/ - [ Thanks to ScottF ]
http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/main.html

An eheim 2232. If you want a HOB then the AQ's are a great choice. Canister filters gives one more options such as inflow/outflow placement and the option to use a spraybar. Also they have a larger media capacity usually.

aquaclear HOB, 6+ years and still going strong. Hasn't missed a single beat.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~ My fish blow kisses at me all day long ~~~

I got an Eheim 2213 recently. It's really the quietest filter you can get. So I guess all Eheim filters are quiet and easy to use.

But for a 10G, I'go for an Aquaclear (for the much lower price). I have one 10G and one 15G running with AQ. They both do a fine job.

I'm lovin the aquaclears. very customizable, adjustable flow, inexpensive and do a fine job of filtration.

If youve got the money and the room theres little point in going with a HOB filter. They simply cant compare with a cannister in many vital aspects, the capacity for biological filtration in a standard HOB filter is far far less then the capacity of even a small cannister.

A cannister is just as customizable as a HOB filter if not more so. As far as cannisters go ive been through many brands , my personal favs are UNIMAX and Ehiems

EDIT: Also might be good looking at some of hydors little units

---

''All the clown fish and yellow tangs in the world cant save you now!''

my favorite brand is aquaclear, like stated, they are for more advanced fishkeepers, I tell everyone that they are more advanced fishkeepers and will require more maintence work and are alittle more expensive, but it is worth it if your willing to clean it.

They provide a wide range of media that you can use, and it is just an overall great filer brand.

If you looking for something"easier" then you should look into cartige filters like penguins. They are easier but they limit you on media.

Not to hijack your thread or anything, but does that aqua ball filter require a power head or anything like that? Or does it have an internal impeller? Just wondering and haven't seen any around here. Mebbe I'll look a little harder next time I'm out that way.

its got an internal impeller

---

''All the clown fish and yellow tangs in the world cant save you now!''

my favorite brand is aquaclear, like stated, they are for more advanced fishkeepers, I tell everyone that they are more advanced fishkeepers and will require more maintence work and are alittle more expensive, but it is worth it if your willing to clean it.

Eh? Aquaclears are the first thing I'd recommend for a beginner. They are very easy to use and require no more maintenance than any other HOB. Customizing them with various media might fall under slightly more advanced but that's not required. They come with suggested media. All that's required is sliding it in and rinsing it every 1-2weeks. Can't see how that's hard or any different from other filters where you slide in the cartridge and pull it out to rinse every 1-2weeks. I really can't think of anything that would make them difficult for beginners or restrict them to more advanced aquarists.

Thanks for the reply Alex.
Also, my two aquaclears are far easier than the other hob's I've used in the past.