I've got the filtration blues.

**Aeonflame** · 08-29-2009, 04:21 PM

Hey guys, I'm a bit down in the dumps right now and I'd appreciate some advice

Here's the thing, I have a whisper ex 70 in my 70 gallon community tank. Ive always felt that it wasn't enough though,(maybe I'm a bit OC) and Ive wanted to install a canister filter for a while now. The problem is, options are very limited here in Trinidad. I'm not able to just pop into petsmart and find everything I need. Practically everything in my tank, I've had to find or make myself. Even my plants were painstakingly collected and propagated.

Anyway, I called up a bunch of places and the cheapest I could find was an eheim 2213, which is very inadequate for my tank. The thing is, it costs $1000 TT dollars which is about $165 US at the current exchange rate. My salary as an IT analyst is $7000 TT before taxes so I really cant afford it, much less a better model.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I am very open to DIY.

Thanks a bunch folks

**Rue** · 08-29-2009, 04:36 PM

Eek! Very expensive.

Can you find a second Whisper 70? That should do the trick. Just run both of them.

Later on, if you find a good deal on a canister...you can upgrade.

**Cristoff** · 08-29-2009, 04:40 PM

I would take a look at the Cascade brand of canister filters. They are much cheaper than the Enheim and so far I'm VERY happy with the one I own.

I have the 1500 series that I bought for $134.00, but I think you could get away with the 1000 series if you use the HOB filter as well. It is on www.petsolutions.com for $99.99.

Worth checking out at least!

**Aeonflame** · 08-29-2009, 04:45 PM

I was looking at that one on Amazon, but nobody here carries it. And I cant order it, they'd kill me on the shipping.

**Rue** · 08-29-2009, 04:46 PM

What HOBs can you find locally? They don't have to match (although it does look nicer), so any 2nd HOB will do...

**Northernguy** · 08-29-2009, 04:55 PM

I agree with another HOB if you cannot get a canister right now.
What about used?
I have the Rena xP3 .It was cheaper than the other models.
You could DIY a sump but are you able to source an affordable pump?

**Aeonflame** · 08-29-2009, 04:57 PM

Well, I can get the aquaclear line, and theres the whisper ex line. I heard aquaclear works great, but I really like the whisper ex 70 because it doesnt need priming and the media is always submersed. Ive lost filters in power failures before.

Theres also this. http://www.pelomedusa.com/Filter.html Has anyone here done this before?

**Northernguy** · 08-29-2009, 05:04 PM

Aqua clear are great filters.I have never had to prime one from a power failure.I have many filters and power outages.lol

That bucket filter looks interesting.I have never seen that one before.

**Aeonflame** · 08-29-2009, 05:15 PM

Would you recommend another whisper ex70 ? Im getting one for $400 TT which is about US $65.00

**Rue** · 08-29-2009, 06:19 PM

Originally Posted by Rue

Eek! Very expensive.

Can you find a second Whisper 70? That should do the trick. Just run both of them.

Later on, if you find a good deal on a canister...you can upgrade.