External Filters Best/easiest/value For Money

[Spitzy]

Hi All.
My 125L tank is currently filtered by an internal biolife filter which has been in place filtering and trickling away for about about 20 years

I am thinking of dragging myself into the external filter world but am having trouble choosing. I have read several threads on here with pros and cons on various models and am no further forward in making a choice (just have a headache instead ).

Basically my requirements are.......Everything I need in one box no need to buy tubing media etc......easy put together and dismantle for maintenence, taps on pipes etc...... easy to add media from current filter to seed new media.....reasonable price under £100 preferably. I am leaning towards the FLUVAL 305 at the moment as it looks easy and everything is included at about £77.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Spitzy

 

[OldMan47]

I have no idea about UK prices but a nice Rena XP2 should also work well for a tank that size.

 

[raptorrex]

you could add the Eheim 2017 to the option proffered by OM. also the hydor prime 30 £46 on fleabay, but needs media.

 

[Spitzy]

Thanks for the replies

I am still doing my homework

Spitzy

 

[Rod Boughton]

Hi,

I am in the same situation, and looking for an external filter, i see the Hydor Prime 30 mentioned, has anyone had any experience with these, what are they like? Also seen a Hailea 8 Layer External Filter on ebay, has anyone used one of these?

Rod

 

[bae1994]

just bought the bigger version of these so far impressed and have heard good reviews

http/www.allpondsolutions.co.uk/aquarium-filters/aquarium-external-filters/aquarium-external-filter-1000-l-h.html

 

[raptorrex]

Hi,

I am in the same situation, and looking for an external filter, i see the Hydor Prime 30 mentioned, has anyone had any experience with these, what are they like? Also seen a Hailea 8 Layer External Filter on ebay, has anyone used one of these?

Rod

I've had a Hydor Prime for many years. its never let me down. it self primes, is quiet and works efficiently with many media combinations. if it has a down side its the attachments, with careless handling the taps can break. but on the up side, they are really cheap to replace.

i really cant recommend this filter enough. even so, some things you need to know.
"downs"
the filter is heavy, when full, so it does not suit everyone.

it takes a bit of force to remove the filter head. see above. (silicone lubricant is a boon here)

the media basket is not sectioned, so cleaning is a bit fiddly.

its very sensitive to pipes being kinked , or dipping in their run.

a bit fiddly to break down the pump head. but, i found, practice makes perfect.

no, real, media supplied. ( i found the Eheim 2224 media kit. sold on fleabay and some shops for , around £22 is a good fit)

"ups"
reliable.

quiet.

self priming.

cleaning indicator.

strong carrying handle.

cheap, avaliable spares.

some interesting and useful (?) accessories.

high output ( real figure around 550-600 lph with media.)

Bargain price.

 

[Rod Boughton]

just bought the bigger version of these so far impressed and have heard good reviews

http/www.allpondsolutions.co.uk/aquarium-filters/aquarium-external-filters/aquarium-external-filter-1000-l-h.html

Hi, I read some reviews on this one, could you comment on whether it makes much noise, please.

Rod

 

[raptorrex]

just bought the bigger version of these so far impressed and have heard good reviews

http/www.allpondso...r-1000-l-h.html

Hi, I read some reviews on this one, could you comment on whether it makes much noise, please.

Rod

there have been some reasonable reports, on these. but they have not been around long enough to say how good they are. we do have one member who reports atrocious customer service though.

its a cheap filter that seems to work well. just remember its a "cheap" filter though, and spares are not readily avaliable from the LFS.

something else i noticed. it has 15/20 piping, anybody ever heard of that size before? more to the point, apart from the importer, where would you buy some? little things like that, can cause problem down the line.

 

[bae1994]

im not sure on noise yet but the costomer service was great when clumsily broke the handle on mine and they do sell spares on there site

 

[Rod Boughton]

Thanks for the review of the Hydor Prime, very interesting. I have another question regarding external filters in general, and never having owned an external filter before this may or may not be a stupid question, but when i think about the fact that the water is being taken out of the tank then returned, are there any safeguards such as non return valves that would operate in the event of a breakdown or failure. I am a bit worried that i may come home one day and find the tank completely empty of water.

 

[raptorrex]

im not sure on noise yet but the costomer service was great when clumsily broke the handle on mine and they do sell spares on there site

I understand they sell them on their site.but not in any LFS. and its good to hear that not all have costomer service problems. however the fact it uses a none standard hole size is something all considering a purchase should know.

 

[onebto]

Thanks for the review of the Hydor Prime, very interesting. I have another question regarding external filters in general, and never having owned an external filter before this may or may not be a stupid question, but when i think about the fact that the water is being taken out of the tank then returned, are there any safeguards such as non return valves that would operate in the event of a breakdown or failure. I am a bit worried that i may come home one day and find the tank completely empty of water.

Its a legitimate question and definitely not stupid it was one that crossed my mind when I first looked at externals.

The simple answer is no there is no system to stop a canister from leaking and emptying your tank that I know off BUT this is extremely unlikely through the way that they are built and designed.

It is not impossible to set up such a system in fact it would be quite easy something I may look into

What you allude to I am sure has happened but I would imagine is extremely rare, I have never experienced it myself but I have only been running external filters for 3 years.

I have heard about the odd one leaking here on the forum but this is usually just a weep or tiny trickle and almost always it is down to the main O ring but if you maintain this correctly when you clean the filter, which by the way is a lot less than an internal depending on the kind of fish and number you have plus a few other factors you can probably look at between 2 and 6 months as a ball park figure but as I mentioned this can vary greatly

Join the club externals are great.

Regards onebto

 

[Rod Boughton]

Thanks onebto, now all i need to do is try and pick a filter.

 

[onebto]

There are plenty around as you are probably aware by now, if you see something you like then just post it here likely hood is we have a member or two that can tell you the pluses and minuses

Regards onebto