Let's talk filters! What do you use??

[lisa5691]

So I have recently moved my frist baby, alejandro, into a new tank. Im pretty sure its a 30gallon. I got it from a yard sale, so Im not 100% sure. I bought a under gravel filter for it, since Im not sure what kind of filter I want for the long run. So I want to know what you guys use (Include brand names! lol Itll make it so much easier to find them) pros and cons, too! I have done some reseach into whisper brand internall power filters, but Im not sure how much current they put out. I'd get a canister filter but they are sooooo expensive. If I can find one for cheap then Ill get that So let me know what you use!

 

[smily sam]

I use an internal powerfilter. If you use an external filter use a spray bar if it is very powerful. Sponge filters are good the produce very little current if any and have a lot of biological filtration and are cheap.
Sam:happy:

 

[lisa5691]

How much heat dose your powerfilter produce Sam? Is it enough to heat up the water to much? I had a spone one, but it was wayyyyyyyyyyy to powerful! It blew my poor lil baby around like a twig in a tornado!

 

[memojo1979]

I'm no good changing gallons into feet
For my 3ft tank I use a Fluval U3 inside it + have bought another so I can use them in the new 4ft tanks. I don't know how much heat they produce, as I've always had it in the 3ft tank + not tried without. I did discover that the water flow was too much with it standing vertically, but it fits it PERFECTLY along 1 side (1ft) lying down horizontally + with the minimum flow, plus the output directed at the side of the tank, they seem very happy with it.
For my 2ft tank (STILL temporarily housing my adult male), I have a sponge filter, powered by a Tetratec 10-60l APS50 air pump (which has a flow control value, allowing me to avoid strong water movement), with the filter's output pointing into a corner of the tank.
For my friend's 2.5ft tank, I again have a sponge filter. This 1 is powered by a Marina Cool O2 air pump for up to 20l / 4.5gal. I don't think it is anywhere near powerful enough to be permanent, but I needed the cheapest I could find because the axies in this tank were being kept in isolation for recovery purposes + under my care 1 of them grew from 12cm to 16.5cm in just 1 month + was in desperate need of being in a more axie-friendly environment. The filter output is again pointed at the corner of the tank + despite not having a variable flow valve, it isn't too strong. I do need to do more regular water changes with this tank though, since the filter isn't strong enough. It was more to keep the water aerated + avoid 100% water changes in the tubs every evening!

I'd definately advise the sponge filters for younger axies, but that's just personal preference

 

[Blaze]

I have a Tankmaid internal filter. It was wayy too powerful for my tank but considering id drops down a metre then through a chiller then back up a metre it has to be powerful to get through all of that. I quite like it. I never have to change my water, it's perfectly cycled, cycled in 2 weeks to be exact which is incredible and my tank is crystal clear all the time!

 

[aeri]

ATI Hydro Sponge 5 - Hydro-Sponge

work great with little water flow. powered by an air pump.

 

[Cheylee]

I use a ZooMed Turtle Canister Filter. It works great because i has the spary bars so i can adjust the current and it's more meant for turtles so it does its job in a 20 gallon Axolotl tank.

 

[iChris]

My tank has a built in trickle filter in the hood that is fed by a internal pump.

the water flows through the media then along the bottom of the filter box, and back into the tank on the far side.

I'm also growing peace lilies in the filter box, they are doing well and they suck up all the nitrates.

 

[Greatwtehunter]

Only filter I use are live plants. I've tried many commercial filters but was never truly satisfied with any of them.

 

[Aaran]

If your lil baby is getting thrown around like a tornado, then maybe you should get an air pump that has adjustable flow and or a regulator to turn down the power

 

[Shizeric]

I use a fluval 205 on my 3ft 30 gallon tank. Thing is fantastic.