Canister Filter advice.

[John Linklater]

Got a new tank today which is roughly 290 litres and is 128.5cm long. I’m nit the most technical minded and in my last tank (which was about 3ft long) I had a Fluval 307 which was ok but I used a small internal alongside it which I needed for additional mechanical filtration.

I’d prefer something with turns over the water about 8 times an hour and quite simple to operate. Any advice would be appreciated.

[SPACKlick]

An actual flow rate of 2320 is going to be hard to acheive. Fluval FX6 is the only filter that springs to mind. That has a nominal flow rate of 3,500l/h and should hit 2,300 in actual use.

[Stephen]

I’d prefer something with turns over the water about 8 times an hour and quite simple to operate. Any advice would be appreciated.

8 x 290 = 2320
Is there a reason you want 8 x turnover ?

The Fluval FX4 has an advertised turnover of 2640L/h

[John Linklater]

I’d prefer something with turns over the water about 8 times an hour and quite simple to operate. Any advice would be appreciated.

8 x 290 = 2320
Is there a reason you want 8 x turnover ?

The Fluval FX4 has an advertised turnover of 2640L/h

Thanks. Yes the reason is, I originally had a fluval307 on my current tank but ended up adding an internal filter for additional mechanical filtration. My tank just ran better with a bigger flow rate which worked out at an advertised 1950 lph combined for a tank about 210 litres. I had much less algae and water was clearer.

[Martinspuddle]

Never rely on your external filter for overall water turnover in the aquarium.

As the filter clogs up with detritus the flow rate slows, better to use powerheads or wave makers for constant water flow.

[Stephen]

I’d prefer something with turns over the water about 8 times an hour and quite simple to operate. Any advice would be appreciated.

8 x 290 = 2320
Is there a reason you want 8 x turnover ?

The Fluval FX4 has an advertised turnover of 2640L/h

Thanks. Yes the reason is, I originally had a fluval307 on my current tank but ended up adding an internal filter for additional mechanical filtration. My tank just ran better with a bigger flow rate which worked out at an advertised 1950 lph combined for a tank about 210 litres. I had much less algae and water was clearer.

I appreciate your reasoning.
I usually suggest rearranging the media or upgrading the media to get the best out of external filters.
I find that most manufacturers of filters supply poor biological media and carbon (which needs replacing every 6 weeks) which makes the filter not only less expensive but also inefficient.
Example Fluval 307 (my suggestion below):

The fluval 307 is a good external filter when the media is updated and suitable for aquariums of around 230L.
The Fluval 407 is suitable for aquariums of around 290L (when the media is updated).
Personally I prefer the Eheim Pro4 external filters as they hold much more media and come with excellent biological media (SubStratPro).
I have 2 x Eheim Pro4 600 on my 425L aquarium (2 x 1250L/h = 2500L/h = approx 5.9 x flow-rate).

I could easily suggest 2 x Eheim Pro4 350 (2 x 1050L/h = 2100L/h = approx 7.2 x flow-rate) for your 290L aquarium or 2 x Oase BioMaster 350 (2 x 1100L/h flow-rate) with some media adjustment (too many sponges in the Oase). Two filters are always better than one.

[John Linklater]

Very interesting Martin and Stephen. Thanks to you both.Will do some more research.