Filster, Cascade or Eheim Canister?

[justin]

I am getting a new canister filter since my Fluval just isnt working out. I am wondering what you guys suggest. My biggest issue right now is getting CO2 injection to work and have an adjustable flow rate. I have a newt tank this filter will go with and I need to be able to turn down the output so that there is little current in the tank (its a 20L btw). I am thinking right now of getting a Cascade 500 or 700 because that is what my LFS uses for CO2 injection. I am not sure if this is the best choice. I am worried about CO2 bypass and getting a woosh of air bubbles like I am getting now with my Fluval 104.

Which do you think is best solution for me? Keeping in mind adjustable output and CO2 injection.

 

[jennifer]

Can you explain better what the problem is with the Fluval 104? It does have adjustable output. How do you have the outflow arranged? There are various ways of dispersing the outflow so that it is not disruptive to the tank. For example:
http://www.caudata.org/forum/messages/7618/7828.html

The problem with Cascade filters and newts is that newts are escape artists and will find a way to escape through the gaps required to install the filter.
http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/filters.shtml

I don't know enough about CO injection to help with that aspect of things.

 

[justin]

my fluval experience was tarnished by issues with CO2 injection. So I am going with a cascade and turning the flow way down or using the spray bar up against the glass. I am not too worried about escape since my newts are not much for climbing and I have a glass top for the tank anyway.

 

[jennifer]

Lots of newts that were "not much for climbing" nonetheless escape when they have a chance. Seal well:
http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/escape.shtml

 

[aaron]

I used to use C02 on a few of my tanks, and here are a few things that might help you out. It's only a 20L, so a canister filter is probably overkill, not to mention expensive.

I used Eheim internal filters, and set them up so that they were blowing water along the bottom of the tank. C02 will dissapate from water very quickly if the surface of the water is moving. I then had the airline tubing from the C02 injector feed directly into the filter where you could normally put an airline.

The filters have a valve to adjust the flow rate, and you can easily put a valve in the tubing from the CO2 system.

Edit: Be sure to check your water chemistry often when using CO2, as it will soften your water.

(Message edited by babamba on July 11, 2005)