External Filter Help ?

[leenlisa]

Hi, We are new to this forum and would like some help please
We have a 215 litre tropical tank and are looking at getting an external filter, we looked at the Fluval FX5 but the lady in my LFS said it would be too powerful, my partner disagrees.
Please can anyone enlighten me as to the best external filter for the size of my tank.
Thanks in advance and thanks for your time
Lisa

 

[EllieW]

Hi, We are new to this forum and would like some help please
We have a 215 litre tropical tank and are looking at getting an external filter, we looked at the Fluval FX5 but the lady in my LFS said it would be too powerful, my partner disagrees.
Please can anyone enlighten me as to the best external filter for the size of my tank.
Thanks in advance and thanks for your time
Lisa

305 or 405 will be just right

 

[leenlisa]

Hi, We are new to this forum and would like some help please
We have a 215 litre tropical tank and are looking at getting an external filter, we looked at the Fluval FX5 but the lady in my LFS said it would be too powerful, my partner disagrees.
Please can anyone enlighten me as to the best external filter for the size of my tank.
Thanks in advance and thanks for your time
Lisa

305 or 405 will be just right

Thanks for your speedy reply, the lady in the LFS said exactly the same !!!! now to convince the boy !!!! lol

 

[markandhisfish]

lol an fx5 in their it would be like your poor fish swimming in rapids

 

[Davo86]

Tetratec EX1200

 

[onebto]

If you can afford the FX5 and you have the space then why not if the flow is a bit harsh then soften it with a spray bar on the outlet and if that's still to harsh drill the wholes on the spray bar a little bigger.


But that's what I would do the more filtration turn over an hour the better in my hummble opinion

But saying that the 305 and 405 are good units I would recommend the 405 but that's because it holds a bit more media and has a slightly bigger turn over rate.

Regards onebto

 

[JoshuaA]

The FX5 won't be so bad for flow if you use a spray bar, the 305 probably won't cope so well compared to the 405. Fluval are very generous on their ratings. I found my 205 was only turning my tank over around 1.5 an hour.

The FX5 would be the best choice if you can afford it, I use a 1400L/H filter on my 125L tank and with a spray bar it most definitely isn't an over kill. I'm surprised the LFS is trying to talk you out of it. Beware though LFS do seem to sell Fluval products at remarkably high mark up prices. You might be better sourcing it online when you make your decision.

 

[hillmar77]

I would say try out the Rena filstar XP3 for your tank. 3 compartments for media and should be more then enough filtration for your tank.