Change up to an external filter

[Bluetaurus]

Hey all.

It seems that maybe the internal filter that came with the 118l tank is possibly not good enough.
I currently have a suoerfish 300 aqua flow.

Each time I clean the filter media in old tank water I get a small nitrite spike for a few days.
I've added an old style corner filter box next to it to try and increase the bio media surface area.
This may work but I'm wondering if I should just install an external? Nothing fancy or expensive. Was thinking the Allpondsolutions ef 250 for my first attempt.
Once it is seasoned perhaps remove the internal and fill the housing with bio rings to add extra good bacteria.

It would mean replacing the glass lid with a custom perspex one with cut outs for the pipework.

Any thoughts or advice would be most welcome.

Cheers
John

[fr499y]

Buy a good one to start off with, put your current media into the new filter with any extra that fits and run it as usual. No need to keep the internal filter in if the media is transferred across.

As for the glass lid, you could get a glass cutter and score across the corners, snap them off and you’re done! Wet sand the edges to avoid cutting yourself once they have been cut off.

[Bluetaurus]

Buy a good one to start off with, put your current media into the new filter with any extra that fits and run it as usual. No need to keep the internal filter in if the media is transferred across.

As for the glass lid, you could get a glass cutter and score across the corners, snap them off and you’re done! Wet sand the edges to avoid cutting yourself once they have been cut off.

Thank you
Not a fan of the APS type externals?

Also, if we have a power cut, will these type of filters automatically start up again like an internal will?

John

[fr499y]

APS are the same as the cheap chinese SUNSUN filters. They do the job but aren't the easiest to get spares and can be a bit noisy.

Yes they will restart like an internal filter does.

[Bluetaurus]

APS are the same as the cheap chinese SUNSUN filters. They do the job but aren't the easiest to get spares and can be a bit noisy.

Yes they will restart like an internal filter does.

Thanks again
Much appreciated

[SPACKlick]

I thoroughly rate the Tetratec EX series of filters (since they fixed the old leak issue). Plenty quiet, loads of media space, Hoses are rugged as anything (although you may need a hair dryer when you first set them up or to leave them in the sun for a bit as they're stiff as anything). I run two Ex1200's on my 250L One would probably be enough but I live for redundancy. The EX800 / EX1000 is probably big enough for your tank.

You'll get fans of lots of the filters. I'd recommend trying to find reviews from people who've lived with them for 6 months or more. As Fr499y wrote APS and SunSun are cheap, when you get a good unit they can be absolutely fine but the tolerances on manufacture are terrible, they can be noisy, leaky, tempermental, will get brittle and snap bits. I wouldn't trust them with water in my house.

I know another local who loves his JBL Crystal But I think the right sized one would cost you more than the TetraTec.

[Bluetaurus]

Thanks SPACKlick
I will google the brand you suggested, look at reviews etc.
As has been said APS is a budget brand, the tank is in my garage so not monitored as regular as one in the house.
Thanks
John

[Bluetaurus]

Just cleaned the filter media, sqeezed the sponges a little, all in old tank water. Done a 50% water change.
Will test the nitrites over the next couple of days.
If if shows then the filter really is inadequate!

[Andys temperate tank]

I like the oase filtosmart externals. Plus you don't need a heater in your tank.

[Bluetaurus]

I like the oase filtosmart externals. Plus you don't need a heater in your tank.

Thanks Andy

I will take a look.