Which filter?

[arjay]

Hi all,
I'm looking at setting up a small Apisto tank (20gal) with perhaps 3 Ap. baenschii and am now trying to decide upon a filter. A HOB filter would be fine for three fish but I would like to breed them (with any luck), with the increased bio-load of the fry what sort of filter should I be looking at? I'm considering an Eheim 2213 or a Fluval 105, would these be overkill for a 20 gal tank? Should I just buy an Aquaclear HOB of the appropriate size? Thanks in advance for any help.
~Russell.

 

[Fatts]

Russell,
I don't use any power filters in the tanks I use for breeding. IMHO that is just asking for fry to get chopped up!!! I use sponge filters in my 20s. I use 2 filters that are rated for 30 gal tanks. I have had no NH4 or NO2 issues.

If there is there anyone that uses power filters please speak up and correct me.

Here are the sponges that I use.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produ...ge-_-Filters&ref=3969&subref=AA&N=2004+113424

 

[arjay]

Hi Scott,
Thanks for that, I haven't tried my hand at deliberately breeding fish before and completely forgot that these are the preferred option for a lot of people. You probably saved me around AUD100...

By saying that you run two filters does that mean two per 20 gal tank?

Thanks again,
Russell.

 

[fishgeek]

i have fish breeding in tanks with power filters all the time
a power head can run a sponge rather than an airline, as long as it is not over powerful then you shouldn't loose fry

a sponge can be placed on a HOB inlet pipe to guard against fry ingress

i also have an internal filter that sometimes sucks in fry
female has a tendency to lead them right to beneath intake , i guess thats where food particles tend to accumulate

then i have a centralised system with overflows at the top as apsto's stay near bottom top overflow not a problem until they can swim better

horse's for course's
and i would agree a stronger current is likely to suck in intially free swimmers

andrew

 

[Fatts]

Russell,
Yes I use two of those filters per 20L gal. In my standard 10 gal tanks I use one of those filters.

Andrew,
Your right, I did forget that I once tried a sponge on the intake of a HOB filter. That was a complete disaster. The female actually laid eggs on the intake just above the sponge. So I ended up with a lot of debris between the sponge and the intake (where the intake was not open to suck water). End result was bad water in the tank.