stevo1957

I have a tank of around 120 - 130 ltrs (70cm x 40 cm x 43 cm) which has an Eheim 2215 that I have had for a number of years. Of late, I think filter is struggling (despite changing the impeller recently) as the tank gets dirty a lot quicker thatn it used to and when i clean the filter, media and spnges aren't all that dirty. It is rattling a bit lately and is hard to prime. I'm finding I have to shake it every few days to keep quietening it down. So I'm thinking it's time for anew filter. From my research, I'm leaning towards Fluval but would obviously appreciate any other brand recommendations to consider. I'm trying to size the filter, but get differing recommended requirements re flow rates. eg 5 times, 6 - 8 times or 10 times tank capacity. According to specs, my size tank is matched to: - a Fluval 207 which suits tanks 60 - 220 ltrs with max flow 780 ltrs per hour - a Fluval 307 which suits tanks 90 - 330 ltrs with max flow 1150 ltrs per hour. I'm reading that "bigger is better". The Fluval 407 is recommended for tanks 150 - 500 ltrs with max flow 1450 ltrs per hour. My current Eheim 2215 series is only 620 ltrs per hour. When is a filter too big? Would the 407 create too much current from the return line? Of these 3 sizes, which do you recommend? I'm thinking the 307 would be the one as if flow is too high, it can be adjusted down, and it is a good improvement on the flow rate of my current Eheim. The 407, I think, would be far too much flow, for my size tank, even after adjustment.

Thanks for the suggestions. Some good ideas to pursue. I don't want to spend a lot on additional plumbing though at this stage, given we will be moving to our new house next year when construction is complete.

I have a cyclid tank - Not that big at 135 ltrs but due to a bad back, water changes are becoming a bit of a problem, even though I only do about 4 x 12 ltr buckets each time. Thought I'd try a pump setup but am totally confused with the technical aspects of flow rate and head loss etc, so not sure what spec of pump I will need. Height of my tank is about 1.3 mtrs. The run to my laundry sink is about 20 metres. My laundry is down 2 steps from house level, so total height from laundry floor to top of tank is about 1.8 mtrs. I plan to use 12mm ID clear tubing - there will be no need for joiners or elbows. Flow rate from my laundry tap would seem to be approx. 50 ltrs per minute, given I fill a 12 ltr bucket in about 15 seconds. My laundry tap does not have a connector to it, so I plan to use the pump in a bucket in the sink under the running tap, to top up the tank with fresh water. I have always added Prime and Stability to the tank after each water change, without issue. I don't want to spend a fortune and have been looking into some cheap pumps on Ebay by Vivosun - the 400 GPH and 800 GPH units https://vivosun.com/products/vivosun-400gph-submersible-pump1500l-h-15w-ultra-quiet-water-pump-with-5-3ft-high-lift-fountain-pump-with-5ft-power-cord-2-nozzles-for-fish-tank-pond-aquarium-statuary-hydroponics?_pos=1&_sid=07999febd&_ss=r&variant=33533635821613 https://vivosun.com/products/vivosun-800gph-submersible-pump3000l-h-24w-ultra-quiet-water-pump-with-10ft-high-lift-fountain-pump-with-5ft-power-cord-3-nozzles-for-fish-tank-pond-aquarium-statuary-hydroponics From what others are using, I'm thinking the 800 GPM unit will certainly make taking the water out quick and easy but I don't know if I will have enough pressure to get the water back in. If I don't, I think the tank is too small to go any more power on a pump so am thinking I just make a connection to my garden hose and fill with normal tap pressure....but pump would be preferred as less hassle in getting hose outside etc for tap connection. Any assistance would be appreciated in terms of what I would need or whether I am best going for a smaller pump just to drain with top up via the garden hose.