Does anybody know much about fish tank filters?

[ElCI]

Got my daughter a starter kit for fish today, we've set up the tank and filter but the filters fairly noisy, I'm also not entirely comfortable withy fully submerging an electric pump!

Does any one know if you can get non electric filters (either battery powered or just passive)?

Also does the filter need to be run 24/7? I'd prefer not to have it working when we're out of the house.

Cheers

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Is it on an RCD protected circuit, if not I would suggest a plug in RCD. I think they are designed to be submerged.

 

[ElCI]

Is it on an RCD protected circuit, if not I would suggest a plug in RCD. I think they are designed to be submerged.

Cheers for the reply. My board has an rcd but I'll nip up to screwfix tomorrow and pick up an rcd adapter for a bit of additional protection

 

[conny]

They are totally waterproof as the are completely sealed from water ingress. I think the voltage may also be reduced to something like 12vdc on some models.

If it's running noisy it can be a number of problems. Usually it is not set against the tank side correctly and causes vibrations. It needs to be seated correctly to the instructions.
Another fault may be cavitation caused by air bubbles in the unit. These should eventually get filtered out after running for a while.
Another possible reason is the pump shaft may have been bent or damaged causing the impeller to run out of true.
If it's a new pump you could take it back to the shop for an exchange.
The pump needs to be left running continuously to help keep the water in tip top condition. The only time you should turn it off is if you are going to change the tank water and the level will be below the pump.

 

[conny]

Is it on an RCD protected circuit, if not I would suggest a plug in RCD. I think they are designed to be submerged.

The pump not the RCD of course.

 

[ElCI]

They are totally waterproof as the are completely sealed from water ingress. I think the voltage may also be reduced to something like 12vdc on some models.

If it's running noisy it can be a number of problems. Usually it is not set against the tank side correctly and causes vibrations. It needs to be seated correctly to the instructions.
Another fault may be cavitation caused by air bubbles in the unit. These should eventually get filtered out after running for a while.
Another possible reason is the pump shaft may have been bent or damaged causing the impeller to run out of true.
If it's a new pump you could take it back to the shop for an exchange.
The pump needs to be left running continuously to help keep the water in tip top condition. The only time you should turn it off is if you are going to change the tank water and the level will be below the pump.

Thanks for that, since you seem to know what you're talking about is there any particular pump you'd recommend as being decent? I think the one supplied in this starter kit is a bit cheap and nasty
Thanks

 

[conny]

Not that knowledgeable but my wife keeps a few cold water fish, (don't ask me what type!), and she has a 28litre tank with a pump I think made by Interpet.
I know she changed to a slightly bigger one than the one that came with the tank as she didn't feel the original was powerful enough.
Hope this helps.
By the way, is your tank sitting on a flat stable surface? That will reduce any vibrations.

 

[Ihavenojob]

Depending on the fish being kept, you could use an under gravel filter. I kept Central American Cichlids, so an under gravel filter was no good (they love to dig). You can get external power filters, but they can be quite large & expensive. Any filter needs regular maintenance, so ease of access should be taken into account.

 

[breadnbutter]

don't put gold fish in there its way to small a tank. people don't know , but they grow huge, and putting them in small tanks stunts them, poor buggers.
and yes you should run filter 24/7, also you need to cycle the tank, you need a heater if your going for aquarium fish. and a bottle aqua safe, treats mains water to make it safe for fish.

for pumped filters one of the best is Eheim

 

[motorbiking]

If you change the filter for a bit of washing up foam sponge it makes them quieter.

 

[ElCI]

don't put gold fish in there its way to small a tank. people don't know , but they grow huge, and putting them in small tanks stunts them, poor buggers.
and yes you should run filter 24/7, also you need to cycle the tank, you need a heater if your going for aquarium fish. and a bottle aqua safe, treats mains water to make it safe for fish.

for pumped filters one of the best is Eheim

Hi, Just putting a couple of platys in it, no heater just the filter

 

[breadnbutter]

Hi, Just putting a couple of platys in it, no heater just the filter

you need to do your research , you need a heater, and water treatment, cycling, or you will make the fish suffer and ultimately kill them.

 

[ElCI]

you need to do your research , you need a heater, and water treatment, cycling, or you will make the fish suffer and ultimately kill them.

I'm using water treatment I think (filter booster or something like that), was told in the pet shop that plays are temperate water fish and don't require a heater

 

[Ihavenojob]

Hi, Just putting a couple of platys in it, no heater just the filter

Platys are live bearers and are rumoured to change sex, so there is a very good chance you will end up with lots of babies.