Hi I currently have a 65g setup with 2 Oscars in it (i know over stocked already lol). I am using a eheim pro 2227 filter at the moment and it is not up to the job. Even though my nitrite and ammonia stays low, my nitrate on the other hand keeps rising. I need to do 2 50% water changes and vaccuums a week.

The specs are as shown:

Eheim 2227 External Filter Specification:
• for tank size up to 350l
• Pump output 1050l/h
• Filter circulation 550l/h
• Delivery head 2,00 m Ws
• Filter volume 4,9l
• Power consumption 25 W
• Dimentiones approx. mm 333 x 210 x 300

So its time to get a new filter and need some advice. My price range was ideally around the £100 mark (cheaper the better) and i have been looking at the following filters:

Expensive Options:

Rena XP4: £100

Flow Rate of 1550 l/h
4 Media baskets
For Fresh- and Saltwater aquariums
Quick Disconnect for fast, easy maintance.
Multi-stage filtration with bypass-free circulation guarantees that all water flows through the filter media and not around it.
Extra-large, easy-access Filter Media Basket - complete with filter foam, micro-filtration pad and Bio-Chem Zorb.
Anti-Airlock System allows self-priming.
Unique Sediment Chamber improves filter efficiency and reduces clogging.
Large Rubber Base Suppresses vibration and noise, providing quiet operation

Fluval FX5: £127

- 230-240V, 50 Hz
- 48 W
- 2300 L/H (607 U.S. Gal./H), 3500 L/H without load
- For aquariums up to 1500 L (400 U.S. Gal.)
- Smart Pump technology ensures optimum flow
- Self Priming (plug & start)
- Automatic water change function
- Large, clog-proof strainer
- Setup & maintenance guide on DVD
- Media supplied - 6 foam filter blocks
- Additional filter media sold separately

Cheap Options:

Sacem Marathon External Filter 2000 £50

Power consumtion: 230 V/50 Hz 31 W
Pump output: 1850 l/h
Pump head: 2.30 m/Ws
Filter capacity: 10.0 litres
Hose sizes: suction and pressure side 19x24 mm
Dimensions: height: 55 cm diameter: 21 cm
incl. taps and filter media

BIOPRO UVF-2200 £60

EXTERNAL AQUARIUM FILTER
WITH 9 WATT ULTRA-VIOLET CLARIFIER
INCLUDES 3 TYPES OF FILTER MEDIA
FEATURES EASY START PRIMING PUMP - ELIMINATES THE NEED FOR MANUAL SYPHONING
SUITABLE FOR UPTO 1100 LITRES
45 WATT
2200 LPH FLOWRATE
9 WATT UVC - BULB INCLUDED
UNIT DIMENSIONS: 28x28x49cm

Any suggestions???

in all honesty its entirely up to you but i would get the one with the highest flow rate that you can afford and keep in mind any chances of a upgrade in tank size and accomadate for that now instead of having to do this again down the road not to mention that you can continue to run the old filter along with your new filter for extra filtration!! just my thoughts hope this helps

firstly nitrates are not affected by the flow or size of the filter you have on your tank. if your nitrites and ammonia are at zero then your filter is doing its job adequatly. the problem is the size of the tank or the amout of fish in it. the only way to reduce nitrates (without a heavily planted tank) is by doing water changes or increasing the amount of water (like a bigger tank). for a pair of oscars i would recommend a tank in the 110-125 gallon range. this would be the first step in helping with the maintenance your are now doing.

now to a new filter. the top brands of filter on the market right now are eheim and fluval. personally i would go with the fluval fx5 it is rated for tanks up to 400 gallons and has the largest area in which to house biological filtration. it also has a maximum flow rate of 925 gph and for the money is imho the best buy on the market today.

hope some of this helps..

Do you think that the brand of the filter matters much or mostly the flow rate? Jus that the BIOPRO UVF-2200 seems like a good deal. 2200LPH for half the price of a Fluval. And yh maybe I need to get rid of a fish.

when it comes to filters the saying "you get what you pay for" is quite true.

flow rate is an important factor when looking at filters but quality of construction and durability is another. one aspect to look at is the ease of finding replacememt parts and also sales and service.
over the years i have tried many different types of filtration on various types of tanks and found that if you buy quality filters they stand the test of time and do save you money in the long run.

in my experience i found that if you buy a cheap filter that is excatly what you get.....a cheap filter. but if you spend a little more at first you dont have to replace it later on thereby saving you money in the end.


and ya i think your right. two oscars in a 65 means either rehoming one or getting a larger tank for them both.

Are two Emperor 400 dual bio-wheel filters enough for a 120gal tank with 3-5in.Oscars 2-4in. Dempseys and 2-6in Parrot fish. Also in the past I have always used uder gravel filters and 1140 penguin power heads.Are they a thing of the past.My tanks seemed to be cleaner back then.

Undergravel filters are more work than cannisters. However if you put the outlet from a cannister and push water down the UGF uplift tube you reduce the need for gravel cleaning.

If you use a UGF with oscars you need to have a gravel tidy

Shannon personally i think both Bio wheel and under gravel are a thing of the past when it comes to large predatory fish. canisters are the way to go with your size tank. and sumps for tank larger still.. If I had a Bio wheel and was thinking about a new filter i would add a medium size canister made by Ethiem or fluval to run along side the bio wheel.

when you say 3-5" oscars do you mean you have 3 fish each 5". If so you are greatly over stocked and don't have enough filtration or tank volume for the fish you have. i suggest you make your own post and seek more advice if this is the case, as sooner or later you will run into water condition problems.

as for hero JNR quesetion I back necromancer 100%. the filter will not help your nitrates its less fish or more tank. if you can afford it get a larger tank and then a second filter later. your filter will cope for a short time with good maintenance. if you could get a second hand 120g and a second filter the same as you have your sorted. Or it may need a rehome for one of your fish. best of luck.