cleaning divided tanks

[Freyja]

How about the Hagen Elite mini internal filter Hallyx?

[Hallyx]

I like my Elite mini. It's quiet and, so far, reliable. But it really needs aditional foam to make it the equal of a good spomge filter like the Hydro series (Hydro '0' for 5gal and under).

I added a foam tube to my outlet. This cuts down the current and adds area for the bacteria to grow in.

[Sakura8]

Then use Penn Plax The Bubbler. Any box filter that runs with an airstone is much quieter than a sponge filter that burbles.

*examines Tetra 3i* Ah well, at least it was cheap. In my tank, it's mostly just to move the water around so I don't get protein films.

EDIT: In my own experience, the Hagen Elite is way too powerful for even half of a 10. I tried it once in a 5.5gal and it blew the occupant all over the place even on the low setting. When I tried it in 3 gal with a halfmoon, he just about got caught in a whirlpool.

[Hallyx]

Originally Posted by Sakura8

Then use Penn Plax The Bubbler. Any box filter that runs with an airstone is much quieter than a sponge filter that burbles.

Boy, that's a golden oldie, ain't it? Plenty of room for adding foam, anyway. I use airstones in my Hydro '0's. They really cut the bubbley noises. I put a ring of foam around the outlet to calm the surface and keep my CO2 in the tank.

The noise I hate is the drone from my Tetra Whisper (HaH!) airpump. I'll be replacing both sponge filters as soon as I sew up some new foam tubes for my mini filters' outlets.

Originally Posted by Sakura8

*examines Tetra 3i* Ah well, at least it was cheap. In my tank, it's mostly just to move the water around so I don't get protein films.

Hmm...And here I'm trying to calm my water surface to keep my pH down.

I use mine to keep my seeded gravel in because I run bare-bottom tanks.

Originally Posted by Sakura8

In my own experience, the Hagen Elite is way too powerful for even half of a 10. I tried it once in a 5.5gal and it blew the occupant all over the place even on the low setting. When I tried it in 3 gal with a halfmoon, he just about got caught in a whirlpool.

Yeah, they really put out don't they? Besides bacteria barracks, that's what the foam outlet tube is for---1/2x8x3 filter foam rolled into a 3"long tube and sewn. My male halfmoon likes to park his butt on the tube for naps.