Tetra clearchoice biofilter for pond, good or bad?

[robotcholi]

Does anyone in here use this filter? I'm thinking of getting this one for my pond but heard a lady at the store said it's really bad. I wonder what is your opinion if you have it. [acronym:c0df9c01f0="Thanks in Advance"]TIA[/acronym:c0df9c01f0] guys.

[AngelFishFan]

It depends. What type of application are you going to use it in? The unfortunate thing about these type of filters is that they are not pressurized. This means that you have to have this ugly green thing above the water level, so it can run back to the pond or waterfall. Now if you are good at camaflouging, they are excellent, but I myself prefer the Cyprio Bioforce Filters, mainly because of the [acronym:a887e48d72="Ultra Violet"]UV[/acronym:a887e48d72] upgrade available on it, but also because it is pressurized, and it can sit in-ground, so it is extremely easy to hide and conceal. And honestly, in the thousands of customers that I see a year come into our store, the Tetra has performed over-all pretty well. Not many problems with it. But again... it all depends on the preference of the installer. One more thing: Be very careful that you don't get a pump larger than recommended on those type of filters. I have seen many occasions on the Tetras where somone got just 50GPH greater than recommended, and they lost so much water, again, because it isn't pressurized.

Just a thought.

[AngelFishFan]

One more thing, here is a link for the Bioforce filter. I constantly send customers here:
http://www.hozelock.com/UK/aquatics/I053.htm

[robotcholi]

wow thx you so much for your fantastic info angelfishfan, much appreciated!
can you please clarify this for me, i don't seem to get what you mean by this: "I have seen many occasions on the Tetras where somone got just 50GPH greater than recommended, and they lost so much water, again, because it isn't pressurized. " Shouldn't more water pump into to filter the better? why they lost water? i don't quite get it. thx.

[AngelFishFan]

Okay, when you put something into the garbage disposal, and you turn it on, it works, right? But if you fill the sink at the same time, the disposal can only handle so much water and solid at the same time, and eventually it will overflow (personal experience, lol) The same theory applies to the filter. Pressurization means that it is sealed, and no water can escape if too much water is put through it (bioforce). However, with the Tetra's filter, it is not sealed, or pressurized. Therefore, just as the sink overflowed, this also can over flow, because it is not sealed. If you look at a picture of the filter, you will understand where I am coming from. You also said:

Shouldn't more water pump into to filter the better?

This is definetly a common misconception. The company sets a certain [acronym:0c1eb080d9="Gallons per hour"]GPH[/acronym:0c1eb080d9] for their filter because filters can only handle so much water. If you pump the water through a filter too fast, not only will little mechanical filtration occur and the filter over flow, but NO biological filtration will occur. Which is more needed than mechanical. Which is mainly why I like pressurized. I STRONGLY recommend pressurized. I know that I am over-emphasizing that type of filter, but honestly, should you make a mistake in pump calculations, your filter won't leak and over flow and cause your pond to drain. That is a major plus.

Just a thought....

[robotcholi]

Thank you so much angelfishfan for taking your time to explain this. You explained very well. I can see why a pressurized filter is much better now. I think I'll go with pressurized filter instead but should I have to go to the Tetra filter, do you foresee any problem with this combo for this particular pond?
-Tetra OFX 2000
-Tetra PF-3 filter or Ani Mate Bio Pond Filter 3000
-pond is around 1100 US [acronym:06f08ddfb7="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:06f08ddfb7].

Thanks for your help.

[AngelFishFan]

As far as compatability is concerned.. excellent choice. As far as price is concerned, I hope that you have a good place to buy them, because for the cost of the pump, (Retailed in most dept stores at $300.00) I could get you a 1000 gallon pressurized filter and a pump of equal quality in a combo kit. But as far as filtration is concerned, it is a very good choice. The key to awesome filtration is over-sizing the filter to ensure superior water quality, especially with a higher fish load. I definetly believe that you achieved this. I am more than happy to answer any questions that you may have, both now, and in the future. And please, call me Keegan.

[robotcholi]

one again thx Keegan! I did further research on the Tetra PF-3 and it says only good for pump up to 1000 [acronym:a5eb22cb7b="Gallons per hour"]GPH[/acronym:a5eb22cb7b] but the OFX is 2000 [acronym:a5eb22cb7b="Gallons per hour"]GPH[/acronym:a5eb22cb7b] so i guess it will leak and drain the pond because the PF-3 is not pressurized as you said. So I think I might have to go with the Ani Mate 3000 and OFX 2000. I couldn't find any info on the Ani Mate filter; do you think that combo is okay? Thx Keegan.

[AngelFishFan]

Actually, The 2000 is just a number. If you click on this link here:
http://www.lilypons.com/cgi-bin/shop...?p_prodid=1089
Read the Information. It actually is alot less than 2000 [acronym:1fbe1cf0d1="Gallons per hour"]GPH[/acronym:1fbe1cf0d1]. Animate filters are actually a good choice also. Click this link here:
http://www.pondusa.com/filter3v.htm
I am heading to work right now, So I don't have time to finish talking about this, But later this evening I will try to get back to this post.


Just A Thought...

[robotcholi]

ok thanks Keegan, i'll check out the links.