best filter 10 gallon filter?

Question

what is the best filter for my 10 gallon freshwater aquarium?

i have a whisper 10 gallon power filter but it's not doing the best job. the water's almost cloudy, it's been up and running for about a month.

what are you're opinions on bio-wheel or sponge filters? or anything else?

i actually have fish in it... why would i have it running for a month with no fish?

i cleaned all the gravel before starting the aquarium
water was crystal clear for about a week
i always rinse off the filter cartridge... i CAN read the box

FISH IN MY TANK:
2 guppies
1 small platy
1 small spotted cory
1 clown pleco

Answer 1

I personally like aqua clear brand filters. It's the best filter I've had

Answer 2

As stated in the second answer, there more are more reasons than just your filter. Also how your filter is set up and maintained has a lot to do with how well it works.

The Whisper is an excellent mechanical filter without much flow by, however if it is a model without the bio sponge it can be less desirable for bio filtration. This can be rectified by not changing the filter cartridge too often, rather rinse it and fill the cartridge with extra bio media that you move from one cartridge to another. If you have the sponge insert, rinse it in de-chlorinated tap water so as to not kill the bacteria. And better yet for this type of filter, add a Pre Filter to your intake this will vastly improve bio filtration and the life of your cartridge (the Filter Max Pr Filters are only around $5.

As for other filters, the Aqua Clear is a good bio filter, however it has flow by problems (for mechanical filtration) and impeller problems occasionally.

As for Bio Wheels, this is poor information that they are excellent for bio filtration, studies have been conducted that are available about their bio filtration abilities even compared to the sponge filter (see this article:
http://aquarium-answers.blogspot.com/2006/12/do-bio-wheels-really-work.html ), which is an EXCELLENT bio filter, you just need to purchase the right brand (Hydro sponge, not a cheapie) and the right size (they make models up to 1500 gallon Ponds and they do filter mechanically when you have the proper brand and model!

Here are other reasons for cloudy water:

*A poorly cycled aquarium
* Overfeeding
* Poor Filtration
* Over crowding
* Poor water parameters

Corrective measures:

*Change 20% of your water every other day until improved
*Read an article about cycling and take corrective measures such as adding filter media and/or substrate from a healthy established aquarium
*Cut back on feeding and improve the quality of food and feeding method
*Add additional filters or improve your filters such as by adding a Filter Max Pre Filter to your HOB
Also follow proper aquarium filter cleaning procedures by only changing part of your media and rinsing the rest in non chlorinated water.
*Remove Fish if over crowded

For MUCH more information about Aquarium Filters, please read this article:
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Filtration.html

Answer 3

I'm a big fan of the AquaClear serious; an AquaClear 20 would be perfect for your tank. They have a pretty good media capacity and can hold sponge, activated carbon, and ceramic rings for chemical, mechanical, and biological filtration.
Bio-wheels are great too, though; they have less mechanical and chemical but more biological filtration (which is what you sound like you need right now to get rid of the cloudiness).

Sponge filters are okay for very small tanks, but they only do mechanical filtration (removing particles from the water by filtering them through a sponge). Far from ideal.

However, you may be getting excess cloudiness if you're feeding too much - so only feed what your fish can eat in 30 seconds, twice a day; also look into your stocking levels, because if you have too many fish or fish that are too big for your tank ,that will also result in cloudiness. You can also boost your cleaning regimen and do 40% weekly water changes to keep your tank very clean.

Answer 4

You mention you wash off your filter cartridge, but be sure to replace the carbon. Carbon removes many of the materials that can lead to cloudy water and only works well for a week or 2 depending on the load of the tank. You should also use a bit more than is in the little packets that come with the filter cartridges, that's not nearly enough to do a good job.

Bio wheels are reasonable good in assisting the biological filtration but of course do nothing for mechanical or chemical filtration.

Sponge filters are great biological and fair mechanical filters, but again do nothing for chemical filtration. Sponge filters are a great filtration method for small tanks or for special use tanks like breeding, raising tanks or quarentine tanks. They can provide an additional level of stablility to a regular tank, but certainly wouldn't make my required item list.

MM

Answer 5

Unless you have live plants you are over the population for a 10 gallon...You need surface agitation and probably an air injection to have a clear healthy tank...I have a 45 gal tall with about 100 guppies in it and a half a dozon cories but I also have a 300 external filter with a surface outlet agitator..Also bottom is completely covered with live plants...Has been running for about 15yrs with only 30% water changes a month...Last near takedown was when moved 150 miles about 6 years ago...

Answer 6

I have a whisper for my 10 galon tank and its works wonderfully
try taking out about 1/4 of the water and putting in some fresh water. also have you tried changing the filter pack that goes in the filter? if you are overfeeding and any food is left in the water it will sink and if you dont make sure to keep leftovers out of tank it will cloud water as well. i got a gravel vaccumm for my tank that will pick up the gravel in order to get rid of junk in the water (rocks will fall out of vaccumm and only water and junk will be sucked out) it works like a siphon and you will need to add water to the tank when done

Answer 7

hi i would use the hydor prime 20 external aquarium filter with medium, and the hydor medium bio flo aerobic fiter, they work perfectly together you can either by th 10 or 20 ,30 filter, you cant over filtrate your water, if your interested in this go to 4yourgarden, on ebay have have a look, i use it and its great no problems, x

Answer 8

First off your water could be cloudy for a few reasons and not just because of the filter. Usually a 10 gallon filter is adaquate for a 10 gallon tank.

Here is more on cloudy water:
There are a number of problems leading to your tank being cloudy and/or smelly.

All too often too many new fish owners make the same common mistakes. Did you wash your tank out properly prior to installing? Did you wash your gravel thru a strainer (and I don't mean just rinse it off)? These are the two leading cause for cloudy water.

Your tank is not cycled properly. See web page.
http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/biologicalcycle/a/nitrogencycle.htm

.
You should begin testing your water right away for ammonia and take appropriate steps to keep it below lethal levels. Hang in there; once you get your tank through the initial cycle the cloudy water problem will clear up
Do you or are you using a gravel siphon to clean the bottom when doing water changes? Did you rinse out your filter and pads prior to installing them?

If you did not rinse the gravel well enough you can do one of two things, stir up the gravel in the tank really well. This will cause all the "dirt" particles to float in your tank. Keep the filter running and do a 20% water change. As long as your water "quality" is fine, do this every other day until the water is clear. Each time, be sure to rinse your filter out as well.
Adding an air your bubble want does nothing for the fish or the water. Dissolved O2 comes from the water itself moving. Bubblers move very little water there for add very little to no Dissolved O2 to your tank.

Do your water change every other day (I know pain in the butt)

Algae bloom:
Algae are mostly-photosynthetic organisms that sometimes resemble plants but are not plants, having no true roots, stems or leaves. Algae grow in freshwater and saltwater. Saltwater algae are sometimes referred to as "seaweed." Like plants, algae require light and nutrients to grow. We supply plenty of both in our aquariums, with several hours of aquarium lighting a day and nutrients like nitrates and phosphates from fish waste.

Algae come in many forms. There are microscopic, one-celled algae, filamentous algae that resemble hair, algae that grow in sheets, and macroalgae that look like plants. There are even algae that live inside the outer integument ("skin") or calcium shell of some corals, anemones, and other sessile invertebrates called zooxanthellae. There are slimy-looking algae that are often not algae at all, but a colony of primitive photosynthetic organisms known as cyanobacteria. There are also very hard-to-remove little dots of green that sometimes grow on aquarium panels which also are not algae, but diatom or radiolarian colonies (microscopic, one-celled, animals with hard shells) with algae incorporated in their matrix. With all that said, let us answer some common questions right up front:

Algae growth is inevitable in an aquarium.
Algae consume nutrients in the aquarium that if allowed to accumulate, are harmful to fish. Algae can be a good thing.
The presence of green algae in an aquarium indicates a healthy environment for fish.
There is absolutely no way to completely prevent algae from growing in an aquarium, without killing the other life in the tank.
Chemicals should never be used to control the growth of true algae in an aquarium, and should only be used in rare circumstances to control cyanobacteria.
Correcting a severe algae problem requires time and patience.
Natural methods of controlling algae are the best and most effective.

Algae removal from the tank panels can be done on an as-needed basis, but no more than once a week. Removing algae involves either correcting negative water conditions to control or slow excessive algae growth, or an age-old process known as "elbow grease" (scrubbing it off!). Algae removal in an aquarium should be done only when necessary. We have seen many aquariums where daily removal of algae resulted in fish that were so stressed, most had diseases and were dying. You should never remove all of the algae from your tank. Allowing some algae to grow in the aquarium can be beneficial to the aquatic environment. When algae is removed from aquarium side panels, care should be taken to select an algae scrubber that will not hurt the finish of an aquarium. Be careful not to get gravel caught in an algae scrubbing pad where it can scratch the aquarium. Never use household cleaning pads to remove algae. They contain fungicides that kill fish.

Your first mistake is boiling the water. Boiling water consentrates the nitrates in it causing algae to grow even faster. However, I've never heard of it growing within an hour Wow!

First, test the water you are filling up your tank with. Many public water supplies (our homes) have a concentration of nitrates at around 7ppm or higher. (Bottled water is no better).

This could be the start of your problem.
Be sure your tank is not within direct or indirect lighting such as a window or in a room where the lights are on constantly. Is you tank near a heat source. Sometimes we do not take into consideration a fishtank is near a heat register which can and does add additional temperature changes to your tank.

Did you clean the filter as well? Be sure the entire filter is cleaned and free of algae.

Use a razor or scraper and gently scrape all sides of your tank. Clean your gravel and return it to the tank as well. DO NOT wash the gravel in the tank. The residues of the algae will remain.

Since you have NO FISH I am assuming, use cold water to start your tank. Algae likes heat and light. Using cold water will prohibit growth. Allow your tank to run bringing it to room temperature. Then you can plug in your heater allowing your tank to run.

If you have a stick on thermometer, get yourself a floating one. The stick on thermometers pick up ambient air temperatures from OUTSIDE the tank and can be up to 10 degrees off. DON"T trust them. Try keeping your tank at 72 for a couple of days.

You can also purchase phosphorus pads for around $2.00 at your local pet store. These can be cut to fit with your filter and remove large amounts of phosphorus. These can be reused over and over just remember to rinse them out well when you clean your tank.

Test your water. Since you have not gone thru the cycle process allow your tank to run. This should really help with the algae. If you find your water quality is all your tank isn't near a heat or light source, ok but still getting algae turn the temperature down or off and let it run. You will want to scrape the sides of the tank and do a water change no more than 20% every other day. This should only be done if the algae returns in a heavy form.

If you need any more help, you can im or email me.


I personally do not like the biowheels and for only one reason, they are known for shutting down for no reason., Other have had them with no problem what so ever so really it is a matter of choice and opinion.

A typically whisper or tank filter 10, 15 or even a 20 should be more than adaquate for your tank. The cloudyness in the tank however is not caused by your filter.
Good Luck

Answer 9

fluval