Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
You are viewing the forum as a Guest, please login (you can use your Facebook, Twitter, Google or Microsoft account to login) or register using this link: Log in or Sign Up
I have the same tank (Juwel Rio 125). I upgraded to a 1000 lph internal pump which is connected to a spray bar. I also have an external 1400lph filter connected to a second spray bar.
In a high-tech tank, you're going to need a spray bar. If an external is out of the question, then upgrade to...
On my Juwel Rio 125 (read: 125), I have a 1000lph Juwel internal filter connected to an Eheim Spray bar, and a 1250lph Eheim 3 600 filter.
I would never go for anything less than 15x turnover in a planted tank.
Hi guys
I have an Eheim Professional 3 600 (2075) external filter. I only have media in two of the trays, so two of the trays in the filter are empty. However I left the empty trays in the filter, because from what I can see, the water needs to flow down the little corridor in the corner of...
I am using an Eheim professional 3 600 external filter (1250 lph) on my Juwel Rio 125, with 16/22 mm hose. I am currently using an APS (all pond solutions) spray bar, that came with the APS 1400 lph filter (which I no longer use). The reason I am using the APS spray bar and not the Eheim one, is...
Don't know about the Tetra filters, but the APS filters are rated at around double the real- world turnover like you describe.
I think manufacturers just enjoy lying about lph.
Thanks for the advice. But it's not start- up. The tank has been running for about 4 years. The filter is new, but most of the media is used. I just switched from my old APS 1400. So today I just transferred over all the media and replaced the filter. The fish didn't notice a thing :thumbup:
Righty then. Might not bother with it. Ok last question.... if I choose to try out the Purigen, should it go last? I.E in the top tray? After all the bio media, and before the filter floss?
So then how about another coarse sponge in the bottom tray?
I am just thinking that I ought to have some more mechanical filtration in addition to the pre- filter. Don't want the Bio media to be getting gunked up with solid waste.
I was thinking of putting a coarse sponge in the bottom basket, but wouldn't it be exactly the same thing to just add another coarse sponge into the pre- filter basket? So then I have:
Double pre- filter
Siporax + coco pops
Siporax + coco pops
Floss
How does that sound?
Great thanks. And is there really no need for floss? Since it gets so dirty, surely that means it does a really good job at removing dirt?
If I do use the floss, what's the best way to prevent bypass?
The second- hand filter I bought came with two bags of Purigen so that's why I was considering trying it out.
Interesting what you say about the biomech Alastair. I guess if I have a tray full of Siporax and Substrat Pro, there shouldn't be any need for the bio mech.
If I don't use the mech...
John, did you remove any trays? Or just leave the trays empty? I was under the impression that removing the trays disrupts the water flow and causes bypass.
Thanks all.
No love for the mech pro I see. Interesting considering it takes up a full 2 trays of the filter.
I will be using a sponge on the intake, hopefully this will increase the length of service intervals.
What about the Purigen?
Today I got hold of an Eheim 2075 (professional 3 600) that I bought second- hand from another forum member. I was after some advice regarding the best media setup for it.
The previous owner had the media set up exactly the way Eheim recommends:
Coarse pre- filter sponge
Tray 1: Eheim...
I think I'm going to buy a second-hand Eheim Pro 3 600 (2075). Been reading a few horror stories about the older models leaking. Just wanted to get people's opinions on this?
Thanks for all the advice and interesting discussion guys!
I was thinking today. It's theoretically possible for me to connect the outlet pipe from the internal Juwel filter to the spray bar of the external. What would happen if I did that? Would they both function as one filter or would they...
Oh dear. Didn't realise the Eheims were so expensive. I'm looking at at least £200 new.
Before I do take the plunge with a new filter, I think it's worth one last shot at trying to squeeze a bit more flow out of the APS. Is there a list somewhere of all the steps one can take to fully maximize...
I am sick of my crappy APS external filter. It's rated at 1400 lph. I calculated the actual flow a while back, it was more like 400 lph!
I need a lot better flow than that. At the moment I run the external alongside a Juwel internal with 1000 lph pump. I am looking for a good reliable external...
I removed the bio balls and ceramic rings from my filter, and replaced with Sera Siporax for the biological filtration.
Bio balls are really suited for sumps, and moving bed filters. They're not so useful in canister filters.
Just for clarification, how long do we expect external filter seals to last? How do you know when they need replacing? And also, I just use Vaseline- is that no good?
I recently bought an Eheim Compact 1000.
Works brilliantly. You can adjust the flow rate, and that's what I need because I want the water to trickle into the tank very slowly to do a slow and gentle water change.
Max head height is 2 metres
Personally I would go for an APS 2000.
They are considerably cheaper than the alternatives in the long run, and very reliable IME.
The downsides:
Power- hungry. They cost more to run over the course of a year in terms of electricity.
Sometimes annoying to prime.
The media that comes with...
I decided in the end to get Sera Siporax media for the bio media in the external.
So I was thinking of doing this, from bottom to top:
Blue coarse
Filter floss
Sera Siporax
Filter floss
Do I have enough mechanical filtration, or should I add another blue sponge before the floss?
Well the plot thickens even more. Here I have everyone else telling me that I don't need ANY biological filtration in my external, only mechanical, and now you are saying the exact opposite? Now I am even more confused.
I was thinking of doing the following:
Bottom tray:
Coarse Sponge
Poly...
The problem with that is that the dirt (on the pre- filter) remains in the tank. Half the point of using an external is that the dirt itself leaves the tank
I use Arcadia Plant Pro T5s. They are the best light tubes I have ever used. On the instructions, it says to change them every 3 years. So they are being honest.
They also attached two graphs of PAR/ LUX to show how it deteriorates over the course of 3 years. It loses about 1/2 of its...
Let's say I remove all the bio media. That means my only biological filtration is coming from the internal filter, and the plants. If I go on holiday for a couple of weeks, and my internal filter impeller seizes up (this has happened before), will the biological filtration of the plants alone be...
I have just watched this video:
Currently on my 125, I run an internal Juwel 1000 lph filter, and an External APS 1400 lph canister filter.
In the internal, from bottom to top, I have:
Blue coarse sponge
Blue coarse sponge
Cirax (ceramic media)
Blue fine sponge
Blue fine sponge
Poly pad...
I have not tried it myself but I would suggest that if you do put the Co2 into the filter intake, you should remove all the sponges in the filter and have only bio balls.
I use an inline atomizer attached to the 'out' hose of the filter.
They are annoying to start up. The first time and then every time you clean it. It's not a serious problem. It just takes a bit longer.
I do use the spray bar for the external. But I also have the internal filter. It's not too much flow- the fish love it!
You don't 'have' to remove it. I run my external alongside the Juwel internal filter. I upgraded the internal from the Bioflow 600 to the Bioflow 1000. It gives great flow.
The only downside of the APS externals is that they can be a pain to prime.
Yes, I have an external 1400 lph EF. They are fantastic filters. Great value for money.
I have a Juwel Rio 125 too. I would recommend you do what I did and get the 1400 lph.
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.