Does the filter work well enough to eliminate the need for a skimmer? What if I get a larger unit (say a L or XL) for our 55 gallon tank?
616006
I use my Filstar in a 75 gal fresh water aquarium. No skimmer needed and it does a great job!
616007
salt water you want a skimmer, I bought a used remora hang on back for my 75 gallon and never had to look for another. The filstar filter was my third attempt and its outlasted and out performed the marine land and unimax. Its the best will purchase again
616008
We bought the M size for a 75 gallon tank, currently use it on a 40 gallon tank with a red eared slider turtle and plan to use it when we move him to the 75 gallon tank. No skimmer needed
616009
No skimmer needed. I use the M size for a red eared slider turtle. Fantastic filter!
616010
Do you have fresh or salt? If this is for fresh water 55 gal the API M will work just fine
616011
No, you won't need a skimmer as long as you don't have life corrals and plants. I'm having this filter with 55 G and it still works great so far since about a year and half
616012
I have been using it for a couple of months on a 90 gallon tank with light fish load. It works great and water is clean and clear!
616013
Skimmers are only necessary for saltwater tanks (contrary to some of the other answers provided). Skimmers are an effective means of removing dissolved organic matter so it doesn't need to be processed by your biological filter and eventually end up as nitrate. For most saltwater applications I would strongly suggest a skimmer in addition to your standard 3-stage filtration such as that provided by a cannister filter. These types of filters do not perform the same function as a skimmer actually removes waste from the water column while a cannister leaves waste in the column and processes it. Skimmers are only necessary for saltwater tanks (contrary to some of the other answers provided). Skimmers are an effective means of removing dissolved organic matter so it doesn't need to be processed by your biological filter and eventually end up as nitrate. For most saltwater applications I would strongly suggest a skimmer in addition to your standard 3-stage filtration such as that provided by a cannister filter. These types of filters do not perform the same function as a skimmer actually removes waste from the water column while a cannister leaves waste in the column and processes it.
1962935
Yes. It may take up some space but it will fit. It is good to use a filter bigger than your tank size (ex: 15 gallon filter for a 10 gallon tank) if you have some thing in the tank that produces waste such as a turtle or fish.
574581
Not a good idea with this model since the filter media slides into a slot on the top, if it were fully submerged the waste that'd be filtered out would then be released back into the tank, making it largely useless. There is a fill line indicated on the filter and you can adjust how high/low to set the filter. Hope this helps!
899309
It will handle your filter needs, but if you are thinking of upgrading because of getting a bigger tank then think about a 1200 or 1500. The numbers are liters per hour, not gallons per hour. Hope this helps.
769029
It won't fit your tank. My recommendation would be to get a canister filter. You will have more control over filtration, water flow and currents. Canister filters also work better and are more efficient than a hang on back.
1907975
Hi Edward, I have the big filter series that take two filters. I use it for a fifty gallon rubbr stock tank I keep in the basement to keep giant goldfish brought in from the winter. I keeps the tank clean as there are 8 really big goldfish. I usually pull out the two filters about every three weeks or so. I also take out the whole unit and clean out the scum from the unit, So-- 3 into 52 weeks in a year-- 17 or 18 times. These are messy fish, so maybe I change them more often than I need. Hope that helps.
1342046
On mine it floats up and down on the intake tube and keeps itself at the waters surface... as for effectiveness... I haven't noticed that it does anything but bob up and down and spin around. I do not use this filter as primary filtration. I only use it when the UV may be necessary for green water or illness. So I've never been concerned about the skimmer.
1895118
Yes, it works pretty well with my Fluval Edge 6 gallon, the water is pumped up to the top of the filter screen, and runs down back into the tank. If I hold it at an angle, it can run down my hand/arm, or down onto the top of the tank, so just be aware of that, and it works fine once you get used to it and angle it only slightly. I improved the filtering a million times by using a 100 micron filter pad that I cut with scissors to fit into the screen chamber - it prevents the water from getting cloudy 100%! Suction is superb without the bottom extension on, it sucks up about 2 inches of gravel, raise the vacuum up a bit, and the gravel falls back down, then use it to smooth it back out. Highly recommended. Yes, it works pretty well with my Fluval Edge 6 gallon, the water is pumped up to the top of the filter screen, and runs down back into the tank. If I hold it at an angle, it can run down my hand/arm, or down onto the top of the tank, so just be aware of that, and it works fine once you get used to it and angle it only slightly. I improved the filtering a million times by using a 100 micron filter pad that I cut with scissors to fit into the screen chamber - it prevents the water from getting cloudy 100%! Suction is superb without the bottom extension on, it sucks up about 2 inches of... » Read More Yes, it works pretty well with my Fluval Edge 6 gallon, the water is pumped up to the top of the filter screen, and runs down back into the tank. If I hold it at an angle, it can run down my hand/arm, or down onto the top of the tank, so just be aware of that, and it works fine once you get used to it and angle it only slightly. I improved the filtering a million times by using a 100 micron filter pad that I cut with scissors to fit into the screen chamber - it prevents the water from getting cloudy 100%! Suction is superb without the bottom extension on, it sucks up about 2 inches of gravel, raise the vacuum up a bit, and the gravel falls back down, then use it to smooth it back out. Highly recommended. « Show Less
1243251
48 gallon Skimmer? If so than yeah.. It shouldn't be a problem. Doesnt take up much room at all. No its very quiet.
1144822
I have this skimmer on my 40 gallon, works great. However, for a 54 gallon you may consider the next one which is the sca-302
2190874
I use a G90 on a 55gal tank. You should always use a larger filter than required on a given size tank. Bigger is better.
626915
I use these filters on my cichlid tanks . I don't know what is required for a marine tank . If a skimmer is a standard item I would think you would need one .
2177524
I have had the Fluval Fx6 Canister filter on my 125 gal saltwater tank for several months now with no problems at all. It is low maintenance but keeps my water crystal clear. It is a good way to go in my opinion. It was very easy to set up and cleaning is like any other canister but I don't have to it as often.
1467247
hi . ours works excellent on a 75 gal tank , excellent so i imagine two would be great just dont overfeed and do regular water changes , definately use the uv when putting in new fish ! add a few bubblers we use the lighted underwater bubblers 24 inches and of course all depends on freshwater or saltwater tank , we use ours on africans and discus tanks , its a super quiet and very efficient filter sherry
771882
This unit can do 60 gallons without a problem, the dual filters make a huge difference. It works a lot better than any other filter system I've ever had, get it! Jeff
1785375
I think you'd have to keep it in a dry place. I use it for a 55g turtle tank indoors, and it works great. But I think for the price you could do better on outdoor "pond" filters.
1853539
Actually for turtles is 3x. Good fish are also extra dirty so 2x is recommended so in a 65 gallon tank this filter would be more than atiquite