Advise Please On Best External Filter For New Tank?

[Phishy25]

I am about to purchase a second hand Evasion 120. I would like to buy a new external filter, but have no idea which make to go for. I quite like the idea of the Eheim thermo, which incorporates a heater. I like the idea of having no equipment inside the tank. The above tank holds 260 litres. Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Lateral Line]

I've used nothing but Eheim for the last 15 years. Difficult to go wrong with quality stuff. Avoid the Ecco range though, they were introduced to compete in the "low end" of the market, and frankly, they are not in the same league as the good stuff.

 

[for_my_fish]

kind of the opposite of above I'd say the ecco are good, the other eheim being overpriced for what they are. I currently have two tetratecs (one ex700 and one ex1200) which are good. I think the thermal ones are silly prices for what they give you.

Ultimatly get the biggest capacity filter you can.

 

[Phishy25]

Ok, so should I get the best Eheim that I can afford (capacity wise) and buy a seperate heater? Are external heaters available? What wattage would I need to heat 260 litres?

 

[Lateral Line]

The Ecco range was introduced deliberately to compete with other "budget" makes. I have some "Classics" that are 20 years old, I doubt you'll find an Ecco owner raving about their 20 year old Ecco when the time comes.

Unless you have serious plans on expansion, buy a filter that is suitable for your tank. Buying something to big will cause problems, you may end up asking the same question as the poster in this thread.

Always take advice from as many people as you can.

 

[scorphonic]

I'm new myself to the hobby and got a Tetratec EX700 filter and its absolutely amazing. The water goes from dirty to clean within half an hour...it cycles and cleans it that quickly!

I think you couldn't go wrong with the tetratec, its easy to operate and super quiet...

between tetratec and Eheim I think, you would definately be happy.

 

[for_my_fish]

You can always turn a large filters flow down. But you can't improve a filter thats too small. The larger filters have larger media capacity (as well as larger flowrate) its the larger media capacity you are after IMHO. Yes the eheim classics are good, but most people end up going for the pros/pro II which I don't think is any better than the ecco. tetratecs are flavour of the month, not sure on long term reliabilty (as I haven't had for long) but I'm impressed so far