A Perspective on Filters by DENNIS
Here are my personal pros and cons on filters I have used. All filters have aplace depending on the tank size, substratum, type and size of fish of fish, plants, room and looks. I have used or am using sponge filters, undergravel filters, power filters, in tank filters and canister filters.
SPONGE FILTERS: I have not had good luck with sponge filters because they get clogged to fast for my tanks. I have to clean them daily. I fell that they might be good for tanks of 10 gals. or less.
UNDERGRAVEL FILTERS: I use them in all my tanks except my breeder tanks. The babies get caught under the filter. I have also been informed that you cannot use them with a sand substratum.I have never used them that way but I can see why. I would not use them in a planted tank or any tank that I could wreck when cleaning the gravel.
I have them in 1 tank that is heavly planted and 1 tank that the decorations are a lots of work to remove. I do not vacuum these, my other filters in these tanks git dirty real fast.
On note. I do not use undergravel filters by themself.
POWER FILTERS: If you have fish that jump or are excape artists do not use these. The hole in the lid is too easy for this kind of fish to get out. Other then that they are ok. If these are the only filters (excluding undergravel) that you use I would double the size recomended. I do not like the price of changing the filters, they are a 1 time maybe 2 times use then you need to buy more. You can clean them more often but I think that it is not worth the time and effort.
IN TANK FILTERS: Ok for less than 10 gals.
CANISTER FILTERS: I have used only 2 brands. Cascade by Penn-plax and Magnum 350 by Marineland. I like the Magnum 350 better. The Magnum seems to last longer, filtering, and pick up more debris and are easier to clean.
I use polyester fiber in the Magnum and polyester batting in the Cascade, this is a lot cheeper then buying the filters that are made for them. I do buy the charcoal in the tub. I just pour it in the sleeve for the Magnum and for the Cascade I cut the bag that came with it and fill it with charcoal then staple the bag, another mony saver. The bypass for the Magnum is a 1/16" hole. In the Cascade the bypass is all around the filter baskets, a lot of bypass. The Magnum removes from its base and motor. The Cascade has it all togeather. The Cascade comes with quick disconnects, have to buy them saperately for the Magnum. The Cascade has a backflow preventer, I do not care for it. I have not had any problems with it but if I do I have to pull motor housing off, which is sealed. Then leaks and rust and then a new filter. This may never happen but just the thought.
HOT MAGNUM: Hang On Tank Magnum. These filters are on all my tanks except my West African Lungfish, he does not like a lot of water movement and there are floating plants in the tank. I like this filter. It is easy to clean and they pick up most everything. I use the "micron cartridge", High dollar if you do not clean them right. I have a spare cartridge for each filter. I use a 2 qt. tupperware pitcher with 1 part bleach and 2 parts water. I take the clean cartridge, rinse it till I cannot smell any bleach on it then put in the filter. I rinse the 2 qt. jar add the bleach, then the filter and fill it with water. The dirty cartridge stays in the jar till I am ready to use it again. I use to rinse and dry the cartridge but the rubber on the cartridge shrank, not good.
NOTE: On tanks that need litte water movement you can still use canister filters with high water flow. If you use an undergravel filter run the supply from the canister into the riser of the undergravel filter. You need tubing and a little adaption, it works in reverse. If no undergravel filter use a sponge filter on the supply from the canister or turn the supply opening to the tank wall. Both of these work best the lower in the tank the supply is set.
This from my point of view only. I hope this helps. I am open to any sugestions or comments ( except for spelling ). I have been in the hobby for more then 40 years and I am still learning.