Hi,

I am considering adding an internal filter to my Rio 180 (180 litres) which is currently operating with the standard Jewel filtration system .

What brand/model would you recommend ?

I am thinking about the Eheim Aquaball Internal filter. Is it a good product ? Is there a better one out there ?
What output should I go for ?
- Aquaball 2208 480 Liters per Hour (130 gph)
- Aquaball 2210 550 Liters per Hour (145 gph)
- Aquaball 2212 650 Liters per Hour (170 gph)

Thank you for your help.
Valerie

Would you consider a bottom filter with ceramic media and wool very cheap and effective all you need is a line from your air pump !!!

Valerie, I was also looking at getting an Aquaball for my 160 litre tank. Where are you thinking of sourcing yours?

Gavin

I would go with the Aquaball 2212, I only started using them recently and find them pretty good. The flow rates is not that high, so I would go the the largest of the three. They are easy to set up, install and clean too.

Have to admit the aquaball would not be for me.

I bought two of them, one of the smallest ones & one of the mid size ones.

I've since replaced both with fluval internals as I really wasn't happy with them.

I find the fluval 3+ & fluval 4+ to be excellent.

Cheers,
Patrick.

2poc wrote:
...
I find the fluval 3+ & fluval 4+ to be excellent.


The 3+ and 4+ are excellent, but for supplementry filtration in a non-cichlid tank where the load will not be large, I would prefer the aquaball. Horses for courses. I fnd the Aquaballs faster to maintain and also control.

Daragh

I have to agree with Daragh, aquaballs are reliable and so easy to maintain, i chucked the sponge and use eheims biobals in them it and excellent filter and i wouldn't be without it and i went from fluvals to aquaballs and would not go back to fulval internals again
Seamus

I'm really surprised at people liking the aquaball - the comparable fluval is so much more powerful.

I guess it is horses for courses, for me the filter is about cleaning up as much waste as possible.

The aquaballs I replaced were running on a tetra tank & the other on a puffer/plec tank, both small tanks but the aquaballs just weren't producing enough current to move waste from one side of the tank to the other.

Neat little filters in how they are constructed though.

2poc wrote:
[quote]... the aquaballs just weren't producing enough current to move waste from one side of the tank to the other... [quote]

I agree that the flow is not great, but I know Valerie keeps apistos, fighters and livebearers, none of which would appreciate a lot of flow.

Either filter, Aquaball or Fluval are good, you won't go far wrong with either.