Internal Filter for 400 Litre Fish Tank

drumlegend · 24 Jun 2015 at 12:10

At work we have a fish tank that is just over 400 litres and the filter that is in there isn't powerful enough.

We couldn't get an external filter as there is no where to put it without it being a tripping hazard.

Another problem is I can't spend anymore than £50 as I won't get it refunded back.

Does anyone have any suggestions.

Thanks in advance

boxman2000 · 24 Jun 2015 at 13:13

What filter do you have in there?

I'm not that well versed with internal filter options but you could always run a Fluval U4 as well as the filter you have now. The U4 is only rated at 240L so the other would have to make up the difference.

Feeding every other day (or even every 3 days) would help the filters out, as well as regular water changes and proper routine pump maintenance.

Unicorn · 24 Jun 2015 at 14:11

2x fluval u4 at opposite ends. Bit more than 50 but itl work .. That or look up moving bed filters and biofilters on google

boxman2000 · 24 Jun 2015 at 14:25

Unicorn said:
2x fluval u4 at opposite ends. Bit more than 50 but itl work

Depending on existing filter this would have been my eventual suggestion.

You are better to have a bit more filter than required but if you can on the U4 I would suggest getting spraybar attachment for at least one if not both.

drumlegend · 25 Jun 2015 at 13:31

Really sorry for no responses, I didn't get a notification. We have decided to get an external filter now (Going to get a stand so it's a bit higher. The All Pond Solutions 1000EF Aquarium External Filter, 1000 Litre/ Hour

Obviously the only issue is that we can see both sides of the tank so won't be able to hide the tubes very well unless I feed the tubes along the top of it. I have no idea how I am going to do it

drumlegend · 25 Jun 2015 at 13:54

Another thought would be to put the tubes a bit closer together then that way the pipes aren't so obvious. So one of the pipes would be on the left taking out the water and the spray bar would be in front of it so I can keep the tubes both to the left. Would this work?

Part of the front is covered by wood so people on the outside wouldn't be able to see the tubing. I forgot to mention that I work in a hospital and I take care of the fish tank.

I will put some photos up this evening

drumlegend · 25 Jun 2015 at 14:03

drumlegend · 25 Jun 2015 at 14:06

http://postimg.org/image/6xh14p/

drumlegend · 25 Jun 2015 at 14:07

boxman2000 · 25 Jun 2015 at 14:43

You should have inflow/outflow at opposite ends (for optimum results).

If you're worried about seeing pipes then what about putting a background on the tank?

External is definitely the way to go, although I have no experience on that brand/model of filter.

Does it come with a spray bar?

drumlegend · 25 Jun 2015 at 15:09

boxman2000 said:
You should have inflow/outflow at opposite ends (for optimum results).

If you're worried about seeing pipes then what about putting a background on the tank?

External is definitely the way to go, although I have no experience on that brand/model of filter.

Does it come with a spray bar?

I thought that would be best as well. It comes with a spray bar but my boss wouldn't like a background on it. It wasn't a very nice looking tank before but so much has changed since I have started and she loves looking at it.

robfosters · 25 Jun 2015 at 15:49

1000lph turnover isn't enough for a 400 litre tank. You should be looking at double that. I would be going for between 2000-2500lph, but it depends on your fish load. If you are lightly stocked with small fish like tetras, then you can get away with less, but anything bigger, like cichlids and you need more.

Over filtration is always better than under filtration.

drumlegend · 25 Jun 2015 at 15:52

robfosters said:
1000lph turnover isn't enough for a 400 litre tank. You should be looking at double that. I would be going for between 2000-2500lph, but it depends on your fish load. If you are lightly stocked with small fish like tetras, then you can get away with less, but anything bigger, like cichlids and you need more.

Over filtration is always better than under filtration.

Oh dear, it has been ordered now and it does say on the site that it would ok with tanks up to 400 litres and it has to be better than the internal filter we have now.

drumlegend · 25 Jun 2015 at 16:02

Well the tank we have must have about 30-40 fish in now.

Guppies
Plattys
Neon Tetras
Rummy Nose Tetras
Mollies
Two Plecos
Sword Tails

The tank still looks pretty bare and there are no live plants in there.

Contemplating getting some shrimp as well

robfosters · 25 Jun 2015 at 16:02

It's like anything. Mobile phone companies will quote their battery time longer, cars will be advertised with higher than reality MPG. Companies over quote their filter flow rates as well. Plus that is the optimum flow rate. In reality due to certain factors, it is never as high.

It's been ordered now so try it. Don't forget, you can't use it on its own straight away without putting some of the old media in to get it started. You will lose fish otherwise. You can get s bottle of Seachem stability to help it along as well. That's good stuff.

Also, you might want to up your water changes with an underpowered filter.

robfosters · 25 Jun 2015 at 16:03

drumlegend said:
Well the tank we have must have about 30-40 fish in now.

Guppies
Plattys
Neon Tetras
Rummy Nose Tetras
Mollies
Two Plecos
Sword Tails

The tank still looks pretty bare and there are no live plants in there.

Contemplating getting some shrimp as well

Which plecos? The bigger ones are very messy fish.

drumlegend · 25 Jun 2015 at 16:04

robfosters said:
It's like anything. Mobile phone companies will quote their battery time longer, cars will be advertised with higher than reality MPG. Companies over quote their filter flow rates as well. Plus that is the optimum flow rate. In reality due to certain factors, it is never as high.

It's been ordered now so try it. Don't forget, you can't use it on its own straight away without putting some of the old media in to get it started. You will lose fish otherwise. You can get s bottle of Seachem stability to help it along as well. That's good stuff.

Also, you might want to up your water changes with an underpowered filter.

Well I'm currently cleaning it about once every 3 weeks

How long do I need to use the old filter with it for?

drumlegend · 25 Jun 2015 at 16:06

robfosters said:
Which plecos? The bigger ones are very messy fish.

One of them is pretty big and the other sucks on the glass most of the day.

I've only worked in this place for about 2 months. Before I came it hadn't been cleaned in about a year and the old heater broke a long long time ago. I have no idea how they survived for so long.

A lot has changed as I said

So I am unsure what type of plecos they are

robfosters · 25 Jun 2015 at 16:12

Personally, I would run it alongside for about 6 weeks. You can drop it to 2 weeks if you use a filter start up like a stability. Stability is such a good product. I started a tank for a mate a while back for his kids. They obviously wanted fish in there asap, so I used stability in there every day, and got some fish in there within 3 days. They are doing fine.

Clean once a fortnight imo, preferably weekly. How much water do you change?

drumlegend · 25 Jun 2015 at 16:14

robfosters said:
Personally, I would run it alongside for about 6 weeks. You can drop it to 2 weeks if you use a filter start up like a stability. Stability is such a good product. I started a tank for a mate a while back for his kids. They obviously wanted fish in there asap, so I used stability in there every day, and got some fish in there within 3 days. They are doing fine.

Thank you for this

I would have taken the old filter if I hadn't known this