General Care Discussion :: Any good internal filters?

[greerman29]

I'm looking to get a new filter as the one I have just isn't handling itself very well.

I searched on the forum and saw that a lot of people like the aquaclear filters but when I looked them up it seems like you have to have the water at the top of the tank for it to work? How do you guys get it to work?

but if that doesn't work I was thinking of just getting an internal. Any suggestions?

and I don't have the money for a canister filter.

[mkoby]

I use the 110 and it works very well. The water doesn't need to be at the top of the tank for the Aquaclear to work. The intake is below the water surface and you can add extensions. It is a waterfall filter. The lower the water level, the louder it is.

[kikicool]

mkoby, I have that, too. I like it a lot. The waterfall noise is peaceful to me But I have a question. I usually use foam, charcoal and biomedia filters. Today at the store, I saw an "ammonia remover" "alternate stage" filter. Looks like it goes where the charcoal normally does, in the middle.

Have you used this? How (and how often, too) do you change your filters? I just want to be sure I'm on the right track.

[mkoby]

I am really not the one to ask! I have had it up and running for less than 2 months. I use the sponge, carbon and 2 packs of rings. I have never seen the ammonia remover in the store. I have the charcol w/ ammonia remover from Fluval and a bag for replacement but I haven't used it yet. So far I've only rinsed everything. So far so good. It might help that I have a 2 inch turtle in a 60 gallon tank and I feed her in a rubbermaid tub. I did a partial water change last week so I will be cleaning the filter this week sometime.

[kikicool]

I think I need to start feeding my guys in a separate tank. Drats. Thanks!

Greerman 29, didn't mean to hijack your topic! The aquaclear filters come with two attachment tubes. So you place the filter along the back of the tank, and the attachment tubes go down to the bottom (or close to) of the tank, and pull the water up into the filter. You only need to have water as deep as the tube attachments. There are two tubes, total, in the filter package (I have the 110). And they go down prolly about.... 1 1/2 feet. I like mine. The turts play in it!

[greerman29]

does it splash a alot?

[mkoby]

I don't think it splashes enough to make a mess but it is noisey. We are considering attaching a piece of plexiglass to the lip so the water runs down instead of falls into the tank. I think it was Marisa who gave that advise. I don't mind the noise most of the time, but sometimes it just seems soooo loud.

[kikicool]

It does splash, but mostly along the tank walls, inside. So, as it dries, the splashed area of glass looks... well, splashed. Nothing major. Once in a while it splashes outside, but only a drop or two here and there.

As for the noise, my turts are in my office, and I don't mind the filter at all. I think it's a preference issue. Drives my fiance nuts.

[steve]

does it splash a alot?

A number of people have a fix for that... http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1405

[marisa]

The lower the water level, the more it will splash and if you use plexiglass, the longer the plexiglass will have to be before it reaches the water. I just shortened the plexiglass lip on a 110 to just above the water (the water level is higher). Splashing and noise are minimal. If I add more water so the plexi is even with the water, both disappear.