Posting my first scape for attention, I have upgraded to a 20gal long and it's not show-worthy just yet.
But back to my question, why aren't more people using internal filters? There are so many benefits:
- runs silently unlike an air stone or sponge filter
- does not require an additional air pump
- way less expensive than a canister filter (appropriate for smaller tanks)
- able to carry more media than a HOB + customizable media options
- provides more surface agitation than a HOB
- immune to power failure concerns; does not need to be primed
- THEY DON'T LEAK!
Am I missing something?
Posted by hotmessandahalf
10 Comments
Personally for me I avoid depending on fish type. Some fish can get sucked up more easily in internal filters especially if you have fry. Also a big part is aesthetic. Takes up more tank space away from swimming space. Canisters also usually get more of a rep for being “professional” or more “high end” so people go toward them. Alsooo depending on tank set ups people rlly into the hobby with multiple tanks might have one canister or pumps working on multiple tanks. I use internal filters for 20 gallons or less but for my 55 and 90 I have canisters. I use sponge filters in my hospital tanks. Hope this helps!!
Gorgeous tank btw!!!
>way less expensive than a canister filter
If cost is the only downside, then it’s because cost isn’t a concern.
The benefit of a Canister or HOB:
•it’s not in view.
I’m a huge fan of sponge filters with powerheads. I barely even notice then with all the plants I have.
Because they take up valuable tank space and can be visually intrusive. But if positioned creatively then they provide good value for money. Usually hiding them behind tall plants does the trick.
They make way too much internal water movement for bettas, which is what I keep. Sponge filters are perfect for them, and I don’t mind the light water noise that comes with the sponge filter.
https://preview.redd.it/pkq75jq1xm6g1.jpeg?width=1206&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c6c236fb94b725444d1afca63d2d9be2a6143c15
I actually like them, I have nano tanks so a canister would be OTT and I don’t like canister filters. In my betta tank my filter is the same colour as my background on my tank, and the tank is also so heavily planted you can’t see it, in my frog tank the filter is more visible but not too bad, it got covered in a fine layer of algae (same as you sometimes get on rocks) and now it blends in more!
I love internal filters as well. Uncertain about people’s concerns about fish getting sucked up as they are generally designed with good covers and sponge over the intake area to prevent that from happening (my baby shrimp have never had issues).
They really are so quiet and there are small ones that are easy to position behind plants and decor.
I think that the reason many people love sponge filters to much is due to MTS. If you have one or two aquariums, I find their negatives outweigh the positives. But imagine if you had a big fish room with 10+ tanks? You can run many filters from a single pump so it would greatly simplify things and that’s probably also where it becomes really economical.
That being said, I’ve had sponge filters and I didn’t like them much. They did their job, but were loud and offered less flow adjustability than the internal filters with variable flow. Sure, you can choke the air supply but I always struggled to get it just right.
I’ve never had a giant tank but I assume that there are other concerns with them that might make both internal and sponge filters less than ideal.
Either way, I have to spend a lot of time at my desk with my aquarium right next to me. I can’t have noisy.
I didn’t even know internal filters were a thing. But looking into it, I’d prefer to use the internal tank space for rocks, plants, and fish. My canister filter can hold so much more media with none of the loss of space, giving me a lot more flexibility on stocking options. Internal filter looks like it’d be good if you have limited footprint availability in your living space though