Fluval u2 filter

N

neonblue1980

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hI everyone,

i'm running a fluval u2 in my 23 gallon tank, which is currently still cycling.

quick question...

if anyone else has this filter, you'll know what I mean when I say it's HUGE. it's a submersible filter that takes up a lot of space in the tank. it would be impossible to hide with a tree or ornament.

now, don't get me wrong, it's an awesome filter, and has been doing an incredible job at keeping the water clean so far.

...but...if I opted to return this (there's a 30 day money back guarantee even if it's used) in favor of a HOB filter...what happens to any cycling progress I may have made?

i'm sure I could get used to this filter...but i've been drawing up some plans in my head as to what types of fish i'd like to have in the tank and what I would eventually like the aquascape to look like..and I can't get past the fact that this filter is gigantic.
 

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I agree with you, I had a U3 & it was massive, wasn't impressed with the space for media inside it either.
I would call the Lfs you got it from, tell them you want to return it but can you keep the media as it's been used, I doubt they'd want used media as they couldn't sell it on with the filter.
If they say that's ok then just transfer that media to the new filter, you may have to cut the sponge to make it fit
 

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neonblue1980, removing the filter and replacing it with a new one will reset your cycle due to you removing the media which your beneficial bacteria has grown. If you can find a way to keep your old filter media, replace the filter and add your establishing media to your new filter, your cycling process would continue in process.
 
Keep as much as you can, take the ceramics & the sponge pads out of their holder & when you return the filter put the media in a jug of tank water to keep it moist then transfer to the new filter.
I don't know what country you're in & over here we don't seem to use Hob filters that much so can't advise you there, hopefully someone else can
 
  • Thread Starter
  • #5
do you have any submersible filters that you recommend? something that isn't so large?

the u2 has several different cartridges to it. do I keep the media out of each one..? forgive me, i'm such a newbie! lol. it's all information overload! i'm trying my best to learn but man oh man, what a learning curve it is!

do you have any advice on a particular filter you'd recommend?

would I put a piece of the media down inside the new filter...and then remove it once the tank is established with the new filter in say, a few weeks or months time?

would I put the used filter sponge in with the NEW one, like just wedge it in along with the new one that comes with the new filter..? or cut it up and shove as much in as I can possibly fit?
 
Put as much of the old media in the new filter as you can, even if it means taking some of the new media out.
I have a couple of Eheim aquaballs & a couple of Tetratecs which do a good job, but most internals are quite bulky, the tetratec being slightly less so.
 

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  • Thread Starter
  • #7
it's a shame really that this fluval is so bulky because it's a good filter. it is dead silent. I hear absolutely NOTHING from it. but...yeah. the size.....yeah. enough said.
 
I am dumbfounded

I have never heard of anyone buying a filter for its looks. It is not a hat, a purse or an evening gown. Even when people buy cars because of their looks they pay attention to engines and mileage.

Filter's job has never been to look pretty. It is supposed to be reliable and efficient, provide clean water and house b&b.

I have never had Fluval U2, I just checked it out on line, it looks good and has good reviews.

Would you rather have a good looking filter that will be a constant source of problems and noise? I give up.
 
Well I don't think it comes down to an ugly filter that does a great job or a discrete or attractive filter that doesn't. They are not mutually exclusive.

Canister filters are hideous but can be easily hidden and are EXCELLENT filters. HOBs will get the job done and are discrete.

There are so many options and a giant submersible filter is an eyesore right inside your tank where everyone will be looking, not underneath or behind it, and takes away from water volume for fish and decor. We take pride in our tanks and we want them to look and function optimally.

With so many options, there is no reason you cannot look for a discrete or otherwise better looking filter that will also do a good job. Just make sure you steal the media from the old filter and find any way you can to stuff it inside the new one.

 
  • Thread Starter
  • #10
jomolager - it has nothing to do with it being ugly - it has to do with size. it's HUGE inside of a small 23 gallon tank. it takes up a lot of valuable space for the fish to swim freely. positioning plants around it would be difficult - the current is very strong, and blows things over very easily. this filter would likely be wonderful in a larger tank...but my tank is only 30 by 12 by 18. the filter is the size of my forearm.
 
That's a very large filter to be inside a tank that size, I agree. A HOB filter would do fine. I don't know if you've considered an external, canister filter. I am upgrading my 29 gallon to a 75 gallon (if the stand ever gets finished), and for it I have a Sun Sun 304B. This is a canister filtered rated for 150g, just right for the 75g. It has TONS of space for filter media and, I'm told by other members here, they are great filters. The real bonus here is the price tag. A Fluval filter of comparable size and power is $200. The Sun Sun? $80-110 depending on where you get it. I don't know about shipping to your location, but I do know it can be found on Amazon and eBay. Canisters tends to work better than HOBs because they force the water through the media rather than have it flow naturally, as in a HOB filter. The other benefit is how customizable they are. I currently have a HOB on the 29 gallon I have right now, but I've built my own filter cartridges. In a canister, filter media goes into several baskets and you can fill them with anything you like. Before you commit yourself to a HOB, you may also want to look into the canister. As stated, they are external filters, so they are basically like little (or big) wastebaskets with intake and output tubes running from filter to tank. Most standard aquarium stands come with an at least partly open back so you can hide the canister in the cabinet and run the tubes up to the tank. So, they can be rather large (mine is about the size of a bathroom waste basket) depending on the size, but they are easily hidden.
 

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  • #12
I set up the aquaclear 50 for now and we'll see how it goes. they didn't have one that would actually 10x my water return. this one filters 200 per hour. and my tank is 23. so...close enough, but not quite. it will do for now. i'm disappointed at my city's aquarium supplies, I'll tell you that! we have a ton of pet stores around here, as well as a saltwater aquarium supplies store, and I still can't find half of what i'm looking for. I live in halifax, nova scotia, so shipping from the states can be a bit steep BUT...if i'm getting quality products, that's all that matters in the end.

I think what I'll do is keep the aquaclear 50 running for now, knowing that I will likely suffer mts and wind up with another tank, lol. at which point I can get a canister for this tank, and pass the aqua 50 onto our second tank, which will probably be a 10-15 gallon for a single betta for my kids. at least that way this hob filter won't go to waste.

for my kids, ha! what am I talking about. clearly these tanks will be for me. haha.
 
jomolager - it has nothing to do with it being ugly - it has to do with size. it's HUGE inside of a small 23 gallon tank. it takes up a lot of valuable space for the fish to swim freely. positioning plants around it would be difficult - the current is very strong, and blows things over very easily. this filter would likely be wonderful in a larger tank...but my tank is only 30 by 12 by 18. the filter is the size of my forearm.
Click to expand...

Please accept my apologies, I did not mean to sound judgmental, although, clearly I came across more Catholic than the Pope. Sorry. It is just that I thought that most people would prefer powerful filters to ensure the cleanliness/freshness of the water and figure out how to tame the strong water flow to accommodate their fish. I simply was wrong. Again, I am sorry.
 
HI guys just a quick question can u run 2 filters in a Oscar tank?? Just purchased 2 and noticed they are very messy ?? The filters are fluval U2 a good brand according to the local fish shop!!
 
Yes you can always have multiple filters. Too much filtration is never a bad thing. I noticed those filters go up to 65g. How big is your tank?


 
29 U.S. gallons. You divide litres by 3.8
BTW, this size is fine for growing out oscars, but far too small to maintain adults.
All the best, rick
 
Yeah you need a 75 gallon for adult oscars. They get huge. So 283.91L


 
Yea I know but they are tiny at the mo but I know they grow fast! So 2 fluval U2 filters will be ok in there ?? I am planning on getting a bigger tank Very soon but for now they are 2" thanks for ure replies
 

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I have a ciano tank with the associated filter. The filter is pretty hopeless so I added a Fluval U2 about three weeks ago.

I have a 100L tank so running both filters. The past few days (since routine maintenance & water change) Ammonia has been consistent at around 1. Today however (I’ve just done another water change) the ammonia is at 4 ppm.

There is also a white film that spurted out of the Fluval filter when I switched it on (was off for a few mins for the water change).

Any advice? There is carbon in the filter I was considering removing.

Thanks
 
Fluval U filters are pretty good. It might have reacted to a chemical or slime. What's in the tank?
 
Maybe something from the plants. The snails might have had eggs sucked in? I have had no problems with my U3, except my turtle loves to rest under it. Maybe it's slightly out of water and sucking air? Mines does that when pushed out.
 
I’ll do a wee water change and clean the filters out again, in the tank water, hopefully that’ll sort the issue. Can you take the carbon bit out?
 
Yes, you can put in your custom media if it fits. It has to be around the size of the inside, tho
 
Do you use root tabs by chance? They make heinous water quality if they get too close to the surface of the substrate. The white stuff that sputtered out of the u2 might have been accumulated biofilm inside the filter. The stuff it spit out might not even be the cause of the spikes. But spikes of ammonia and dissolved organics could increase the amount of biofilm forming everwhere.
 
Have you tested your tap water? Maybe you are placing ammonia into the tank when doing a water change. Ask you water supplier what they treat your tap water with. If they use chloramine and you dose Prime, you will produce ammonia.

The other thing is that ammlock (I see in your profile that you use it), will change the ammonia to ammonium, which is safe for fish however will still give you a reading on the API test.
 
No I don’t, but I do use tetra plantamin and a filter boost after each water change, as instructed by the lfs. Also occasionally use a CO2 booster. Any of that the potential culprit? Just completed another water change and less film on top but water a bit cloudy, hoping that’ll help a bit!

Have you tested your tap water? Maybe you are placing ammonia into the tank when doing a water change. Ask you water supplier what they treat your tap water with. If they use chloramine and you dose Prime, you will produce ammonia.

The other thing is that ammlock (I see in your profile that you use it), will change the ammonia to ammonium, which is safe for fish however will still give you a reading on the API test.
Click to expand...

I’ll do that, quite a good local team so will ask them.

I do use ammo lock when I eat high readings. The reading was higher after adding the ammolock though, was odd. Assume that wouldn’t react with the carbon filter?

Get high readings, though eating them may solve the issue..
 
Just reread the whole thread, as I was starting to getting confused as to what the problem is.
You mentioned that:
Just the sudden nitrate spike has me baffled, too.
Click to expand...
If your filters are working ok, then this nitrate spike is a result of the high ammonia levels you are experiencing. If your plants are showing growth i.e. the don't just look nice but they are actually increasing in volume (size and quantity) then they will consume part of the nitrates.

The root cause is the ammonia level. As I mentioned early on, if your council water supply is using chloramine in the water, that usually indicates that there is an issue with ammonia, which the chloramine converts to ammonium. Ammonium is no so lethal to fish, however the API test kit will read both ammonia and ammonium and give an aggregate result. So your water may be ok for the fish however the ammonium will get broken down to produce additional nitrates - which is a GOOD indication that your filters are working well
 

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