Canister filter with built in pre filter. Worth it?

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RazzVegas

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Oase, Aquael or any filter with built in pre filter. Is it just a hype? Can you go much longer between total cleaning if you just clean the prefilter say, weekly during a wc? Currently pulling out one of my canister once every two to three weeks for maintenance. Getting to be a pain sometimes. Just wondering if one with a prefilter will go much longer between maintenance.
 
Oase, Aquael or any filter with built in pre filter. Is it just a hype? Can you go much longer between total cleaning if you just clean the prefilter say, weekly during a wc? Currently pulling out one of my canister once every two to three weeks for maintenance. Getting to be a pain sometimes. Just wondering if one with a prefilter will go much longer between maintenance.

Hi,

With the Aquael Ultramax 1500 canisters, the top of the filter still needs to be unclipped to access the prefilter, which results in a little overflow, so i still take the whole filter to the sink or outside. Maybe not as convenient as the Oase?
However, I still think the prefilter in the Aquael, serves a purpose, the larger particles of debris do get trapped there, along with a few shrimp I'm able to retrieve easily 😀.
I'd say a prefilter is effective.
 
Have mixed feelings about this.

Does a mechanical filter need to be cleaned/replaced more often than the biological/chemical portions? Yes. Theoretically, if there was an easier way to just quickly replace the mechanical filter, it would get done more often. The result is better for your aquarium environment.

The reality for me was that I still wouldn't replace it more often. I guess it's just me that I didn't develop the discipline to do it. If you have that discipline, then maybe it will work better for you.
 
Have mixed feelings about this.

Does a mechanical filter need to be cleaned/replaced more often than the biological/chemical portions? Yes. Theoretically, if there was an easier way to just quickly replace the mechanical filter, it would get done more often. The result is better for your aquarium environment.

The reality for me was that I still wouldn't replace it more often. I guess it's just me that I didn't develop the discipline to do it. If you have that discipline, then maybe it will work better for you.
I have found an easy pre filter for my ADA 1500. I use a poret filter cartridge filter. They are easy to cut and slip on my intake Lilly pipes. Easy to clean just slide off and then hold pipe while slipping back on.
 
@Ed Wiser I can't really visualize that. Do you happen to have a photo of how you use them?
 
I have used the Oase Biomaster series for many years and for various different reasons (running aquarium maintenance departments, stores and personal tanks).

To prefilters in general- I would say if you like being proactive about your maintenance and keeping solid organic to a minimum thus relieving yourself of a headache later on, it’s worth it.

Specifically with Oase’s design, as it’s much simpler to pull out and clean with its ease of removal. I can’t speak/attest to Aquael’s prefilter as I haven’t used it on my personal tanks, only seen it at trade shows. I have messed with various inline prefilters (put in the tubing before the filter intake) in the past and personally don’t see their hassle of maintenance as being a plus for my routine. For me it’s Oase or none- plus the heater capabilities and getting it out of the tank serves as another huge benefit.

It might be a condition of being born and raised in the US, where everyone looks for convenience, but if the prefilter is not easy to remove/quick to clean I would be less encouraged to maintenance it, and the feature would be less of a selling point personally.
 
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