External Filter Suggestions Please

[Sarette]

Hi

I recently had some tax refunded, so amongst other things I am wanting to buy an External filter to run alongside my Juwel Internal filter (for now but I will possibly remove the internal in the future but haven't decided).

I have been looking around and there seem to be quite a few different makes etc, and I'm a bit overwhelmed! Any suggestions to which make and "size" would suit my tank best would be great. I would also need one that is not too tricky to maintain and fits in the cupboard underneath...

Also I want to buy a pressurized CO2 system, as the fermenting one I had helped a little, but was a bit rubbish, and I don't want to have to buy lots of small ones to cope with my large, heavily planted tank, if you see what I mean! So any suggestions on the CO2 system would be very welcome also

Many thanks!

Sarah xx

 

[Truck]

2 * tetratec ex 1200
or
1* tetratec ex 2400

 

[rabbut]

For easy to maintain, suitable filters, look at Tetratec EX1200's (you want two, two are cheaper than EX2400's ATM, of which one would do) and Rena XP3's (again you will need 2). IME these are both solid reliable and easy to work exturnals

To avoid, are Fluval and Eheim Eccos. IME they are un-reliable and hard to work. Though reliable, Eheim Classics are hard to work also, so don't fit your spec.

Eheim pro's are well liked on here by many members, so a couple of Pro 2 2028's might also be an option, assuming your budget can streach to it Just don't get the Thermo versions, even Eheim admit there's an issue with them AquaOne get plenty of good write-up's also

For that sized tank, I'd look at the DIY CO2 Fire extinguisher type systems in the Planted Tank Section

All the best
Rabbut

 

[Truck]

.

Also I want to buy a pressurized CO2 system, as the fermenting one I had helped a little, but was a bit rubbish, and I don't want to have to buy lots of small ones to cope with my large, heavily planted tank, if you see what I mean! So any suggestions on the CO2 system would be very welcome also

Many thanks!

Sarah xx

A FE setup for CO2 would be good on a tank your size, and they are cheap to setup

 

[Sarette]

Thanks very much for the replies. Off to research the Tetratecs now

Sarah xx

 

[waterdrop]

.

Also I want to buy a pressurized CO2 system, as the fermenting one I had helped a little, but was a bit rubbish, and I don't want to have to buy lots of small ones to cope with my large, heavily planted tank, if you see what I mean! So any suggestions on the CO2 system would be very welcome also

Many thanks!

Sarah xx

A FE setup for CO2 would be good on a tank your size, and they are cheap to setup

What does an "FE" setup mean, truck?

 

[Truck]

fire extinguisher, ive also heard of people using 5kg pub CO2 bottles

 

[waterdrop]

o thats right, darn, I've had to be told that about 5 times now and keep forgetting it

thx truck