What is the Best Filtration system for a tropical fish tank?

Answer 1

Depending on the size of the tank however, i'd have to say a sump trickle filter, loads of bio and loads of mechanical filtration going increases the tanks capacity, and the results can be really stunning.
Downside is space required
AJ

Ohh and water changes are a piece of cake as you only have to enter the tank to vacum up any mulch, water changes you do direct with the filter its self as it should hold upto 75pc of your display tanks capacity.

Answer 2

I've shied away from biowheels lately. Just personal preference. The wheels amaze me with how fast the tank cycles, and they seem to make the tank a bit more resilient. The flip side is that if your power dies for a reasonably long time, you have so much biological filtration on the wheel, that the tank can be impacted worse. The other factor is that your filter pads are an all in one (carbon + sponge). I like to try to change them on alternating months. (At least the biowheels I've used.)

Don't read this as a put down of biowheels. They are still a solid choice. I just want to point out some pros and cons.

For what its worth, I've gone back to AquaClear lately. But again - just personal choice.

Answer 3

Over the many years of keeping fish I've used almost all the filters available from simple corner air lift filters, under-gravel filters, mechanical filters to the current bio-wheel filters. Hands down the best is the bio-wheel filter. I've thrown all my test kits away as everything is always normal now, and that wasn't the case with other filters. But I must say that any filter is not going to perform to its optimum if you do not do proper tank maintenance. And the most important maintenance task is water changes. This is so important. It was brought to my attention many years ago when I was hiking in the Arizona desert and spotted a tank (a water impoundment) in the distance, it was shimmering gold. When I arrive at the tank it was about 15 feet by 20 and jammed with goldfish. Thousands! How could that many fish live in such a small pond? There was a small but constant water change going on, that is how. So I like to change at least 50% on my tanks water once a week, and often change 10% a day buy using the water to water house and potted plants.

Answer 4

You have two options to choose from as far as good filtration systems go..you can go with a Diatom filter system of a Fluval system both are great for Tropical fish and alot more efficient than those ones that hang off the back of the tank with charcoal and cotton in them..they are alot more effective also if you use one of these two systems or you can use them both ..your fish will live longer and have less problems with their health..good luck talk to your local fish expert..

Answer 5

I prefer canister filters with a bottom mounted impeller. (that means the twisty motor is at the bottom of the unit). They have very few parts to break, they're highly efficient, and you can use DIY and bulk materials with them, reducing the long term cost of use.

I like the Magnum 350 from marineland with the bio-wheel package. I keep one or two on each of my tanks & they work like a charm. There are more complex systems out there, but this is my favoirite general purpose, long term use filter. There are a few models from other brands that may be mechanically superior, but from an overall perspective (maintenance time & effort) I prefer the 350.

A bonus of the bottom impeller is that it doesn't get all noisy if it sucks in some air (or if you inject some co2 into it).

Answer 6

First off - why do you have a coldwater goldfish in the same tank as tropical fish? Not a good move. Goldfish like their water in the 50s and 60s, tropical fish need their water to be in the 70s... Second, I've had good luck with whisper jet.

Answer 7

Bio wheel filters are a scam. They cost almost twice as much as other filters that can do the exact same thing just as well. I use Aqua-Tech hanging filters. They cost less than bio wheel filters and have a biological filtration system that works just as well. A suggestion for using them though: I wouldn't really bother with the carbon filters. I only use carbon filters when setting up a new tank or when I need to remove fish medications from the water. In other words, the carbon filters are only good for removing chemicals, other than that they just reduce the amount of water that your filter can pump effectively. So unless you make a nasty habit of sticking your hands in the water after using scented soap or lotion I would just omit the carbon filters altogether. So yeah, Aqua-Tech filters have worked great for me.

Answer 8

look for one that has a biological filter.. I like the bio-wheels myself. They keep a good filtration and good water chemistry.

Answer 9

Eheim, Magnum or Fluval external canister filter.


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Answer 10

I have a Magnum Canister filter. It is awesome! It is very easy to clean and change the carbon.
Here is the link to their website...
http://www.marineland.com/products/consumer/con_magnum.asp