Best External Option?

[Juggler75]

Pretty bored so I thought I'd start a flame war...

No seriously, as some of you know I help maintain my dad's 4x2x2 malawi tank. Its currently filtered by an APS 2000 EF, which to be fair is doing an ok job, ammmonia and nitrite is always zero. However since his stock is only about halfway towards their adult size we are just wondering whether a better option is out there.

Now the tricky bit, although it was a custom cabinet, only one side of the cabinet is given over to holding a filter, the other for storage, so whatever goes in there needs to fit inside a space approx 580mm W x 610mm H x 580mm D. Not sure we could fit another filter in there with the APS so would have to replace that filter and do more.

Been looking on ebay, friends houses etc and at the moment we have ruled out the tetratec 2400 purely on noise levels (before even measuring up that beast) and have been looking at eheim 2080s and Fluval FX5s but what else is out there? and which of those are the better option in your opinion and why?

I don't really want a flame war but some honest insights or suggestions (I realise that everyone has their own opinions but personally I am of the opinion that different filters may suit different tanks so please bear in mind that this is for a Malawi set up)

Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

[minnnt]

Both the fx5 and 2080 have a good rep mate.

Good call with the tt2400, they're god awful.

 

[Juggler75]

Well today my dad picked up a 2nd hand fx5 with media for the pricely sum of £65 apparently. Now I haven't seen it but for that price I'm sure a rabbit is off somewhere, so over the weekend I'll set it up and test it and I'm positive I'll need to make a list of parts that are needed. So anybody got some good links for common replacement parts? I.m sure fleabay will feature for some purchases but are there any other reccommended places to shop around? I know it hasn't got any rim connectors for example but I can't find any from a quick google search so I'm hoping some fx5 owners let me know where they've got parts from before.

Thanks in advance

 

[OldMan47]

I have a 6 foot long tank with about the same volume as yours. It is not as big from front to back. I have so far used my Rena XP3 as its sole filtration for over 7 years with no problems at all. The only way I know it is running is to place my hand in front of the spray bar and feel the flow because I keep the spray bar several inches below the water line.

 

[Juggler75]

Thanks old man,
I'll bear your option in mind if fx5 doesnt work out.
I've now ttested it, all works, but it does need new hoses and an outlet which are now ordered from ebay along with new o-rings, but I can't find the tank rim connecter things anywhere, will it be ok without them or does the hose kink too badly?

 

[OldMan47]

The FX 5 has a good reputation. If you can use one of those I see no need to continue exploring the XP3. I have found, over the years, that the latest fad in filters is really no better than the filters that I can find here and else where.