Fluval 207 Canister Filter for 29 gallon

[AcornTheBetta]

Hi all!
I am going to get a Fluval 207 for my 29g soon and was wondering if you guys have any tips or things that I should know before I get it? Also, are there any mods that you would recommend (I don't want to spend any extra money so mods that are free or use the stuff that comes with it)? How long/far down (in inches) does the intake go into the tank? Any warnings for me? Thanks!

 

[LeviS]

I have the fluval 306, a eheim, and I don't remember the 3rd, I regret i got them and would go back to a hob if it wasn't for having to buy them and resetting the tank in a way. The 306 the intake goes all the way to the bottom of a 40 breeder, there should be stats in the product description or maybe someone who has it will chime in. They are great filters, have to be sure its lower than the tank, I had aquariums on a rack and the 306 set about 6 inches lower giving me priming issues, I also get aggravated having to clean them where as a hob I just unplugged it, took out sponge and squeezed it in old aquarium water and replaced the sponge. The canister filters generally give great flow. The media included was fine. I just despise cleaning them. Lol sorry just figured this is warning you asked about.

 

[Rockymountainstream]

I would consider having a maintenance schedule for your media, sponges, carbon etc. At least that's what I do for my fx4. So I don't lose to much BB at one time.

 

[JayAlva]

I use the 207 drop the cabron add more bio media very simple filter to maintain.

 

[AcornTheBetta]

I have the fluval 306, a eheim, and I don't remember the 3rd, I regret i got them and would go back to a hob if it wasn't for having to buy them and resetting the tank in a way. The 306 the intake goes all the way to the bottom of a 40 breeder, there should be stats in the product description or maybe someone who has it will chime in. They are great filters, have to be sure its lower than the tank, I had aquariums on a rack and the 306 set about 6 inches lower giving me priming issues, I also get aggravated having to clean them where as a hob I just unplugged it, took out sponge and squeezed it in old aquarium water and replaced the sponge. The canister filters generally give great flow. The media included was fine. I just despise cleaning them. Lol sorry just figured this is warning you asked about.

This is a 29g with is deeper than a 40 breeder. I'm fine with a lot of maintenance.

I would consider having a maintenance schedule for your media, sponges, carbon etc. At least that's what I do for my fx4. So I don't lose to much BB at one time.

What would a good schedule be? Clean everything once a month?

I use the 207 drop the cabron add more bio media very simple filter to maintain.

Ok. Thanks!

 

[JayAlva]

This is a 29g with is deeper than a 40 breeder. I'm fine with a lot of maintenance.

What would a good schedule be? Clean everything once a month?

Ok. Thanks!

Really depends on your bio load but i have mine running on a 26 gallon 2 Dark Rams 5 false Julii cories and a pair of mystery snails. Left out 12 cardinal tetras.
Ive been cleaning it every 3 months and when I check it it isn't even that dirty. I just squeeze out the sponges in tank water and it's good to go.
First indicator is to watch the flow of the filter. I have mine set up with Lily tubes (Poppy shape) and I can see the flow change when the sponges are bit clogged.

 

[AcornTheBetta]

Really depends on your bio load but i have mine running on a 26 gallon 2 Dark Rams 5 false Julii cories and a pair of mystery snails.
Ive been cleaning it every 3 months and when I check it it isn't even that dirty. I just squeeze out the sponges in tank water and it's good to go.
First indicator is to watch the flow of the filter. I have mine set up with Lily tubes (Poppy shape) and I can see the flow change when the sponges are bit clogged.

The stocking is going to be (29g btw):
2 Gardneri Killis or 5 clown killis or x amount some other killi (Any recommendations for easy to care for killifish that are compatible with the following stocking and my tank?)
8 White Cloud Mountain Minnows
8 Panda corys or Bronze Corys
1 BN Pleco
I think once a month or so would be good for this stocking...
EDIT: For the killis, preferably something like the Gardneri and defiantly not an annual killi

 

[JayAlva]

The stocking is going to be (29g btw):
2 Gardneri Killis or 5 clown killis or x amount some other killi (Any recommendations for easy to care for killifish that are compatible with the following stocking and my tank?)
8 White Cloud Mountain Minnows
8 Panda corys or Bronze Corys
1 BN Pleco
I think once a month or so would be good for this stocking...

You should be fine going a longer than a month but while you learn the filter and maintenance routine for your tank that sounds good.
I don't have any killifish experience sorry.

Btw I saw your set up and it looks very good. Very nice aquascaping.

 

[AcornTheBetta]

You should be fine going a longer than a month but while you learn the filter and maintenance routine for your tank that sounds good.
I don't have any killifish experience sorry.

Btw I saw your set up and it looks very good. Very nice aquascaping.

Ok! I'm just looking for more suggestions, but I really like both of those fish...
Thanks. That scape too a lot of hard work, tears, and money (I'm now broke) *oof*

 

[JayAlva]

Ok! I'm just looking for more suggestions, but I really like both of those fish...
Thanks. That scape too a lot of hard work, tears, and money (I'm now broke) *oof*

That'll make it more satisfying when you got it running smoothly.
I like your stocking I just feel like you're missing that center piece fish.

 

[AcornTheBetta]

That'll make it more satisfying when you got it running smoothly.
I like your stocking I just feel like you're missing that center piece fish.

I feel like the killis would act as the centerpiece...
If you were to recommend a centerpiece, what would you recommend and would that fish replace anything (If so what?)? The temp will be about 72 year-round.

 

[JayAlva]

You know the most enjoyable ways I've got fish is to just check out what's in the local fish stores it's fun to see what they got and just go with that. I feel planning the perfect stocking list takes away from the fun of going to the lfs.
Unless you're dead set on something then you can go that route as well.
I was that way about getting dark Rams.
But you keep that stocking list you got a good balance.
Look at apistos they got some really cool colored ones I see them more commonly than I use to.
Dwarf gourami also have some good coloring.

 

[AcornTheBetta]

You know the most enjoyable ways I've got fish is to just check out what's in the local fish stores it's fun to see what they got and just go with that. I feel planning the perfect stocking list takes away from the fun of going to the lfs.
Unless you're dead set on something then you can go that route as well.
I was that way about getting dark Rams.
But you keep that stocking list you got a good balance.
Look at apistos they got some really cool colored ones I see them more commonly than I use to.
Dwarf gourami also have some good coloring.

I'm dead set on the White Clouds cuz I have to rehome some that are in my 10g betta tank (I didn't know what I was doing) and I am also set on some type of cory and a bn. Lol. Not exact the most flexible, but we'll see. Do u have any fish that I should look for at my lfs that would work in this setup?
EDIT: No Dwarf Gouramis except honeys

 

[JayAlva]

I'm dead set on the White Clouds cuz I have to rehome some that are in my 10g betta tank (I didn't know what I was doing) and I am also set on some type of cory and a bn. Lol. Not exact the most flexible, but we'll see. Do u have any fish that I should look for at my lfs that would work in this setup?
EDIT: No Dwarf Gouramis except honeys

apistogramma cacatuoides, dwarf gouramis (powder blue and red flame look really good)
Hopefully someone can give better recommendations I usually kept warmer water fish.

 

[jake37]

You don't need to clean the filter based off of bio-load. The primary issue with a canister filter is how much 'yuck' it sucks up and slowly clogs (reduce flow). IMHO flow reduction should be the primary driver to how frequently you clean it. Cleaning it mostly results in rinsing off the media in a pail of tank water. Pretty much the only media you need to replace is the fine filter which tends to degrade relatively quickly when you squeeze it out. Occasionally the hoses will need to be clean.

The primary 'clog' material is not fish waste but plant matter. You might consider a pre-filter in the inlet to reduce the 'yuck' and frequency of cleaning (there are after markets one as well as sponges).
-
I personally use a hamburg mitten filter on my 29 and they work fairly well - the disadvantage is they require some work on the empty tank and take up some internal space in the tank but they are effective and require less maint. than a canister. Also they don't leak.
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[AcornTheBetta]

apistogramma cacatuoides, dwarf gouramis (powder blue and red flame look really good)
Hopefully someone can give better recommendations I usually kept warmer water fish.

Lol. I don't think apistos will work...
Maybe a group of swordtails (Survival of the fittest for the fry, for those who survive, I'll sell em or give em away)

JayAlva here's my coldwater stocking thread that I posted just now. 29g Coldwater Centerpiece | 475148 | Aquarium Stocking Questions

 

[jake37]

Why won't apistos work ?

Lol. I don't think apistos will work...
Maybe a group of swordtails (Survival of the fittest for the fry, for those who survive, I'll sell em or give em away)

 

[AcornTheBetta]

Why won't apistos work ?

Isn't 72 too cold?

 

[jake37]

Btw white cloud mino are not really compatible with bn and panda cory (temp wise).

JayAlva here's my coldwater stocking thread that I posted just now. 29g Coldwater Centerpiece | 475148 | Aquarium Stocking Questions

Depends on the species. Some like it warm some like it not so warm.

Isn't 72 too cold?

 

[AcornTheBetta]

Btw white cloud mino are not really compatible with bn and panda cory (temp wise).

Really? I thought they were. I was probably going to do bronze corys, but I thought BN's could do down to 65...

Depends on the species. Some like it warm some like it not so warm.

Which like not so warm?

 

[jake37]

borelli would be fine at 72

Which like not so warm?

 

[AcornTheBetta]

borelli would be fine at 72

Ok. I'll check those out!