New canister filter choice for 200l hi tech aquarium

[TrevC]

Hi – I am looking at potentially upgrading the canister filter for my 200l CO2 injected tank (inline diffuser). The planting is medium density as per pic. Fish load is not heavy (8 neons; 10 copper harlequins; 5 red phantoms; two dwarf gouramis, 4 Ottos, 15 shrimp).
My current filter is a Betta 1050 with UV. I assume I’m getting about 50% of the rated flow – so about 500 lph. In the short term, I have added a Voyager Nano 2000 lph powerhead which gets things swaying gently. The outflow is a rear-mounted spray bar where the left half is 45 degrees up towards the surface. The other half (furthest from the inflow pipe) is about 60 degrees downwards to move CO2 towards the background stems.

So the conventional wisdom for a high tech tank as I understand it is to have 5x actual turnover per hour by getting a filter rated at twice this (ie 10x). So my target filter flow rate is 2000 lph (about twice my Betta 1050 which would seem to be underpowered for my case). It would be nice to have a decent pre-filter and also an integrated thermometer. However, I want to reuse my current CO2 art in-line diffuser so I need to stick with filters with 16/22 tubing. This then rules out the Fluval FX4/6, Aquael Ultramax 2000 and JBL Cristalprofi. The remaining options then seem to be:

1. Eheim pro 3 1200XLT (a bit too pricey - even in the option without the heater)
2. Oase 850T (1700 lph)
3. Sunsun 3000 (which can have its flow easily dialled down to 2000 lph).

The main pros of the Oase are its pre-filter and integrated heater. The pros of the Sunsun are the adjustable flow and UV. Ideally I’d want all four features 😊 I only want one filter. The other option is ‘do nothing’ – I have the plants in my tank also acting as a filter along side my Betta and my powerhead/spraybar takes care of CO2/fert distribution.

If anyone has observations on the logic here and/or experience with similar assessments of canisters, please advise. Maybe there is another filter option (eg secondhand Eheim)?

 

[Krzysztof 82 (Kris)]

Hi,

I bought a used Eheim 1200XL (2080) a few years ago for £50, which was leaking, but generally in good shape. I have changed part with the flow indicator and it is running for over 2 years, now.

I also do have 2x Oase Biomaster 600 Thermo, which are packed in a box, and probably will never be in use by me any more. Have used it for about 6 months, but was catching air from somewhere and spitting out every few minutes, which was pain in the neck. Sent powerhead for warranty and new has been sent back to me after 6 months. It was just before COVID lockdown, so maybe because of that it took so long, (Bought it December 2019, sent powerhead January 2020, received it July 2020) but it has changed nothing. Then bought another power head, as maybe that will help, but obviously it hasn't. Then I bought spare parts to build a whole new filter, but that hasn't helped either and the problem persists. The 850 model is no different as far as I'm aware, unless they improved construction, as there are far too many channels. My models are with quartz glass heaters and plastic grille on top of the smallest basket, which indicates that it was an "improved" model. The idea of Osae Biomaster is great, but the build needs improvement. That's my thoughts about Oase Biomaster 600.

Regards

 

[seedoubleyou]

Apart from needing a good trim your tank looks healthy mate and the drop checkers are both indicating good Co2 distribution.
Are you trying to fix something that isn’t broke?

The oase filters aren’t overly powerfull IME, I have recently set one up on my 45cm cube (reef tank) and I’m not impressed.
The issue with sucking in air is a problem too. But this may be down to the fact I have a skimmer inlet pipe that will be allowing air into the filter.

 

[Simon Cole]

If you decide you do need it... The filter you really should look into is the Jebao 404. To start with it has an 8.1 litre filter capacity with four trays and 1200 LPH flow. The real winner is the adjustable flow taps, which also allow you to shut off and disconnect the whole unit. It is some of the best design I have ever seen in a filter. I have two and I will probably order a couple more for back-up.

 

[OllieTY]

My vote is do nothing. Your tank looks phenomenal already!

 

[MrClockOff]

By the way Oase filters have flow regulator on the U shape inflow/outflow bits. Just turn circle blue bit to adjust. I’m happily owning Oase 850T and its flow is exactly what I need in my 160L tank. Had initially an issue with air burps but few things helped to get it sorted.

Also inflow/outflow bit on the filter is cut off tap. Perfect and simple solution for easy disconnect for maintenance.

Cheers
Dan

 

[drsteeeve]

I had an old Fluvial 307 for years, leaked a little but was third hand and very old and battered, just upgraded to a new 307 on my 200l with a dual spout outlet and it's provides a great gentle flow round the tank!