Changing To An External Filter Questions

[SUBARU WRX]

My wife bought me last Christmas a full set up which came with hood, heater, internal filter etc which now I'm thinking of changing the fairly basic internal filter for an external Tetratec EX600 or EX700. My tank is approx 70 litres so I know the EX600 is enough but might go for the EX700 as the price difference isn't much and I think it has extra filtering compared to the 600 from what I've read. The cannister size seems the same physical size on all the range 600 - 1200 too. A couple of problems I have are where to put the filter as my tank stands on a solid pine cupboard which is full of stuff and how to get the intake pipe and spray bars into the tank as the hood doesn't have slots in it. I have the lighting unit in the back and can only see my way of getting the in/out into the tank is by cutting the thin metal.

I can't see that I'm the only person who has come up against the hood problem, is cutting it the best idea? Also would the 700 be the better option over the 600? Zooplus are the best price I've found but has an adaptor for UK use, is it just a shaver adaptor type thing or just stick a UK 3 pin plug on it?

Wife on about getting me this for my Birthday next month and doesn't want to end up getting something I can't use. Sorry for so many questions.

Thanks.

 

[Kevstir]

Hi m8

My m8 has a 60ltr tank with an ex700 and it works a treat, i couldn't believe how quiet it was , much quieter than my eheim 2026, mind you i think that might be down to him having his sitting outside his cabinet and on the carpet.

As the price difference isn't much i would go for the 700, if your going to upgrade to a good size tank the 1200 might be a better bet..

i got my filter from zooplus, they send you the adapter along with the filter, its quite good quality actually.

my m8 had to do a bit of cutting on his hood its the only way m8 , i think its only juwel tanks that have the opening for the intake and outlets..

Kev

 

[SUBARU WRX]

Sounds good then. I asked permission to cut some holes in the back of the pine unit and it got refused !
I'll have to look into getting it cut somehow as I don't think I've got anything like a pair of tin snips, metal looks and feels so thin you could almost tear it like paper with your bare hands. Is the adaptor thing supplied by Zooplus a shaver type adaptor or can you chop off the 2 pin euro plug I suspect it comes with and fit a 3 pin UK mains plug?

Thanks.