Zoo med 501 external filter

[michael]

I just hooked up a zoo med 501 external filter. It's like an el cheapo canister filter. What I like is it's a good filter for a tank with a low water level. It pumps a maximum of 79 gallons/hour. Has a small sponge filter compartment and another bio filter compartment. It doesn't look like it will have repair parts. I think if the motor stops you could use a power head as an input. It looks like a real cheap alternative to a canister filter.

 

[jennifer]

I have 3 of these filters running. The oldest has been installed about 6 months. I also worry about their longevity. But they have the advantages of being small and table-top mounted (while most canisters have to be mounted underneath).

 

[joeri]

Looks good, I hope I can find something alike in Belgium.

 

[jason]

I purchased one of these filters to run in my siren tank. I got it for about $45 and it seems to be doing a good job so far. I especially like the 'spray bar' it comes with. I have the bar spraying the water on the glass as not to have so much splashing and disruption of the surface. I know this filter is marketed toward turtles, but Im not so sure it would handle their waste output.

 

[jennifer]

My three 501 filters are now 1.5 years old, and still doing great. I don't use the huge bag of carbon that they come with, I substitute my own small bag of carbon and some polyester filter fiber.

 

[kaliko22]

I have a 501 in my turtle tank, a 40 gallon breeder about 3/4 full. I keep live goldfish in there for him and have a decent sized red eared slider. So if it can keep his water clear, it will work for almost anything lol. Does get gunky, just rinse the inside stuff and put it back together. Takes 10 minutes at most