Filters

[Redfishbluefish]

A little background, I’ve been off and on in the hobby for at least a couple decades. I started with keeping fish then transitioned over to planted tanks for a bit (the era of metal halides). I then went back to fish, mainly keeping and breeding rainbowfish and rare plecos. Throughout that time I kept basic rosette and moss type plants in tanks lit by shop lights and filtered by sponge and matten filters. My last power/canister filter was an FX5 on an Oceanic 125. Today, my low/mid tech planted tank is run by a matten filter. I’ve been looking at various canisters and HOB’s. I’m intrigued by Rocco’s Netlea prefilter and pump setup. I might go a similar route BUT I don’t enjoy cleaning canisters.
Due to the dimensions of the 33Long (48”x12” footprint, 122cmx30cm) I have been thinking 2x Seachem Tidal 110’s (mainly due to the width of the return, intake tube would NOT be used and pump housing would be modified to fit. flow would also be adjusted accordingly), each set on the back of the tank with flow to the front glass. If I go canister/prefilter(2x), I would run modified spray bars the same way. I was thinking about modifying or printing a set of spray bars with lengthwise slits instead of holes.
If I go the prefilter route, what is a good, reliable pump?
thanks

 

[ElleDee]

That sounds like overkill to me, especially if you don't like cleaning canisters. Those Netlea prefilters are neat, but it seems like cleaning them isn't that different from cleaning the canister itself. Are you planning on running inline CO2 with this system?

I don't think there's really a wrong answer here, but I have done similar tank/filter combos and will tell you my experience.

I have run a 22 long (36" x 12" x 12") with a Eheim 2215 canister with a generic sponge prefilter on the intake and the stock green Eheim spraybar along the back wall pointing forward like you described. It worked well, lots of flow and I wouldn't hesitate to run it on a longer tank if I had a longer spray bar. Cleaning the prefilter took no time at all because you don't have to unhook anything, but definitely had to be done weekly or it would clog. I did not have an issue with detritus building up in the corner on the other side from the intake, even when it was packed with plants. I have the same tank running now with a single HOB and admittedly it's way less fuss. The current tank is low energy, while the one with the canister was no CO2 but higher light, so the loss of flow is not a huge deal.

I am currently running a 120P (48" x 19" x 19") with two Eheim 2217s, each with an Eheim prefilter on the intake (which I like, but they are too big for tank with a 12" x 12" cross section) and larger spray bars along the back wall point forward. I do like that it's symmetric, but double the equipment is double the work. The prefilter does make it so the canisters don't have much in them, but they still need occasional servicing.

I have never had an Oase canister, but by all accounts their built in prefilter is very handy.

 

[Koan]

If I go the prefilter route, what is a good, reliable pump?

I use a Netlea pre-filter in front of a canister that doesn't have its own pre-filter, and I absolutely love it.

It's attached with double QR taps to the intake hose in front of the canister, so super easy to take off and clean.

It's a super fine sponge material that grabs the particulates, all you have to do is pop it off, rinse it under running water and put it back. It means you don't have to actually monkey with the physical canister filter but maybe once a year

If you want to use an external pump plumbed in-line instead, I would make sure it's a highly rated DC pump, designed for marine aquariums. Innovative Marine makes a number of good ones that aren't too pricey for a DC pump

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

I also use the Netlea prefilters, they're amazing. I will truly never have a big tank without one again. Easy to clean and remove (like Koan mentioned), massive sponge capacity. I use the Oase Optimax inline pumps for my two big tanks with the prefilters. Cheaper than the DC pumps, but not as nice!

 

[Koan]

I also use the Netlea prefilters

Hey speaking of which, when are we going to see a build post about your super sexy circulating Netlea pre-filter gravel vac?

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

I'll add it to my list!

 

[techman81]

Semi world famous food geek, Alton Brown and I, have something in common; we share disdain for uni-taskers. Uni-taskers lead to clutter. While each piece of Koan and Rocco's setups may work great, I'd rather have a single item that can do all of those things by itself. It doesn't have to be as great at every single function, it just has to get the job done and save space while simplifying the route of water to-and-from the aquarium.

This is what the Oase filters do. They may not have the best flow rate or be the quietest or cheapest, but everything is there, including the heater, in one device with an easy to maintain prefilter. Honestly, even the entire filter is easy to clean as long as you have double tap valves in the lines, making it simple to disconnect.

All of this is, of course, a bit light hearted. I do think Rocco's setup looks great and if I were to get a tank over 75 gallons, I'd likely try something like that myself. Screaming to my self: NO, NO, NO, you're not getting anymore aquariums!