Filter

[Plonk]

I have just purchased a filter for my 4ft tank, they guy told me that a Aquafx SPR-1100 internal power filter is perfect for my axolotls. I have put the filter in the tank and it seems to be blowing far too much air into the tank. I have even adjusted the lever to the lowest and still it blows too much. Do I have the right filter? Or am I doing something worng??

 

[kapo]

Internal power filters are usually too strong for an axolotl. I was also given similar advice when first purchasing internals for our tank. The petshop assistant had told me that "a power filter is perfect because axolotls excrete so much waste and can cope with it." You need to buffer the flow somehow, either by making a spraybar and attaching it to the outlet so the water flowing out can be angled up and out towards the back of the glass, or putting something in front of the outlet, so the flow is dispersed/minimised.

The other thing is internal filters do bring the tank temperature up a couple of degrees which can be a problem during summer months when you're trying to cool the tank for an axolotl.

 

[Plonk]

What filter do you recommend as I live in Ipswich and in summer it gets around 44 degrees. I am angry that I have been sold this item when I told him what I need it for.

 

[kapo]

Is yours one that actually sits within the tank (suctions to the tankwall) or sits on the glass (hang on the back/waterfall type)?

I tried to google it to have a look as I know some waterfall type filters are also known as power filters.

If internal is there any way it can be adjusted, by buffering the flow (tying something round the outlet) or addition of a homemade spraybar? If not, do you think they'd replace/refund it?

Here's a link that may help you with filters: http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/filters.shtml

 

[Plonk]

Yes mine has suction cups and it sits on the inside of the tank. Here it is......
http://www.aquafx.com.au/
click on products then power filters then spr1100

 

[dancas]

actually i have the same query bout my filter..... i went in fully expecting to buy a cannister but ended up with an eheim 2010.. that would be increasing my temp signficantly wouldnt it?

 

[Plonk]

I took the filter back and got my money back. When I took it back I told the guy why I wanted a refund and he told me "Yeah this isnt a filter for axolotls, its too strong and it will make the water temp go up" This the same stupid guy who told me that this was the perfect filter for axolotls.
Moron!
I went to a better aquarium who knows almost everything about axolotls and they sold me the right filter. I think that I will continue to go to this guy not the other tosser.

 

[Lisa]

When I buy my four foot tank, I'm also buying an external canister filter. I'm hoping that will drop my tank temp by a couple of degrees, as I currently have an internal filter that is turned down low, cleans the tank well and doesn't create any current issues, but is obviously heating the tank a little. Quality of advise certainly varies a lot between shops: it always concerns me when the person selling me something (or trying to) clearly knows less than me (which is not very much yet)!

 

[dancas]

heheheh lisa!!
it really is funny when you start frequenting your local or not so local shops in my case and they turn around and start asking for your advice about sick axolotls, ive got one shop that whenever i get some babies they will buy 20 off me just like that.. another one that no-one offer to help me because i know more than they do already....

 

[kapo]

Internal filters can increase your tank temperature from between 2-6 degrees. This would of course, be dependant on size of tank - the smaller the tank the faster the water will heat up - and what current room temperature is. These figures are based on our old 2-3 footers that had shark power filters in them, so may vary according to the type of internal filters you have as well.

 

[dancas]

just what i was looking for.. I have 4 axies in a 36" x 14" x 18" with avg room temp at least 25 in summer and tank temp fluctuating between 14 and 21 with the eheim 2010 internal...are hang on's any better?

 

[kapo]

I've never used them but I suppose the one positive aspect about hang ons is as they sit on the top on the back of the glass rather than in the tankwater they do not heat the water.

There are a few people that use them - you just have to disperse the waterflow from the outlet (tying something like plastic plants or other round the waterfall outlet or putting something beneath it - one of the members cut an icecream lid or container (can't remember which) smoothed the edges so they weren't sharp and managed to tie/secure it beneath the waterfall bit so the flow wasn't as strong.

 

[Kaysie]

I've used a Rena Filstar XP series filter on my axolotl tanks for years, and I love them. Canister filters are the way to go!