What is a good filter for under 100 bucks that won't create waterfalls and much noise?

Question

i've been asking simliar questions before and i've gotten some great answers but i think the waterfall problem has to be rid of.

the tank in my bedroom and from the previous answers i learned that tetra and aquaclear create waterfalls too.

so now it looks like i need to look for an in the tank/submersible filter.

any suggestions?

its for a 40 gallon wide with 2 RESs. the water level cant be that high since its for turtles thats why i cant have the waterfall problem (too noisy)

thanks again.

yeah i really dont want to just ditch my emperor 400 ($50) i will be looking for ways to lessen the noise of the waterfall. because with the noise i defintely cant run it all the time.

Answer 1

Fluval makes some very good intank filters. These are submersable and work well for turtle tanks. They are inexpensive, costing no more than a hang on the back filter (30-50$)
Here is the link to petsmart so you can get a picture of what they look like and price.
http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441781312&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302030113&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023693&bmUID=1176140900357&itemNo=16&In=ALL&N=2030113&Ne=2

Answer 2

I'd look into a submersible - I've used Duetto and Fluval Plus before with RES. Just get one a little oversized for the tank (I know what a RES can produce!). The distance the water has to be pulled up will create a lot of wear on a hang-on filter, plus I've had them siphon the water out when the electric went out and then they start dry, which causes even more wear unless you're there to refill the filter beforehand. These problems are eliminated with the submersible.

Answer 3

I'm sure if you check your local on line classified ads you can probably pick up a really good Canister filter for about $30-$50 and you can just extend the return hose down as far as you need it.
This will get rid of your water noise and you will have a good filter.
Most submersable filters are NOT very good (not much media or none, not much area for biological growth)

Answer 4

It wont worry the fish. Imagine if they lived in a stream beside a real waterfall? They will get used to it. I have a stream in my back yard, with a couple of 6" 'waterfalls' in it. I bet it makes 100X the noise of your filter, but the wild fish in there dont care. Ian

Answer 5

under gravel filters are great and most of the pumps and powerheads are compleatley submersible

on the emperor you can use tape when the filter is off and dry of course and put a iece of tape on the lip of the filter and run it the lentght it needs to reach water level it will create a trickel effect a little quieter than that waterfall sound

Answer 6

Aquaclear makes a submersible powerhead that has a sponge attachment. I have this sponge powerhead combo on my 30g tank in my bedroom, and it works great. Sooo much quieter.

Answer 7

if you cant be rid of the waterfall then try putting something under it, like rocks piled up or a ramp about the wdth of the filter outtake to bring the water down to the bottom without the noise.

Answer 8

You could try a submersible filter. The one's in this link are basically power heads with sponge filters attached, but they will provide tons of biological and quite reasonable mechanical filtration. Since you can place them at any angle they will work well at any water level. Oh, and well within your budget.

http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/iid/4534/cid/1239

Hope that helps

MM

Answer 9

still have a waterfall just put somthing under it like a piece or plastic and let the water hit the board