External Filters Best/easiest/value For Money

[Miles_hot]

From my initial look around I was fixated on a Eheim and preferably the 3e (not sure it could in any way be considered the "best value for money") but was then a little shocked to find a whole bunch of reports about issues with it not liking anything to be run in-line with it it (e.g. Hydor heater). I have no idea if this is something that affects other makes or even models but it might be something to consider....

Miles

 

[Spitzy]

I think I have settled on a Fluval 205 Should be getting one in the next few weeks or so. I am now wondering about the placement of the heater, would it be ok to place it vertically, parallel to the intake pipe?

 

[JoshuaA]

I think I have settled on a Fluval 205 Should be getting one in the next few weeks or so. I am now wondering about the placement of the heater, would it be ok to place it vertically, parallel to the intake pipe?

I would advise against the Fluval 205 if you haven't already ordered it. I would say just put the extra £10 and get the Fluval 305 at the bare minimum.

I went from the Juwel internal filter (Rio 125) to a Fluval 205 which was a massive upgrade but as my tank is heavily planted I had barely any water movement even with an additional powerhead. I then replaced my Fluval 205 which was still working fine with an APS 1400+UV filter which has been a godsend.

The Fluval 205 on my tank only appeared to just achieve around 1.5x turn over which is awfully bad, my new APS from recent measurements could possibly be achieving around 7.2x turn over and with the spraybar water movement is acceptable.


So to sum it up... in my eyes... Get either the Fluval 305 or for a cheaper price go for an APS filter. You won't regret either decision, as the Fluval filters tend to be designed well.

 

[Spitzy]

Thanks Joshua.
The 305 it is then, lost 2 platys to the internal filter last night so it needs to go ASAP, they got jammed behind it overnight

Spitzy

 

[JoshuaA]

Thanks Joshua.
The 305 it is then, lost 2 platys to the internal filter last night so it needs to go ASAP, they got jammed behind it overnight

Spitzy

Hey,

Just wondering, what tank do you have? First post claims your filter has been going for 20 years. Is your tank that old? If so does it have any sort of lip?

The Fluval 05 range have special suction clips that need to be free of any restriction and there is a few cm of tolerance to clip it on. Just wondering in the case that you have a lip that could prevent you actually installing it.

By lip I mean the glass trim which on some tanks allowed you to place condensation trays or glass sliding lids.

Here is a link to the connector/pipe angley thing for the back of your tank.

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-FLUVAL-105-205-305-405-RIM-CONNECTOR-ASSEMBLY-/290533413105?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item43a52410f1

The only reason I bring this up is I have a Juwel Rio 125 and because of the plastic trim at the top it cut's close on the clearance and really makes the stretch/bend that clip out to fit it on properly. However my APS external is a lot more forgiving and interchangeable.

 

[Spitzy]

The old filter has been chugging away in several different tanks
My current tank does have a large lip but there are triangular shaped holes in both back corners through which I am hoping the pipework will fit, inlet through one and outlet through the other. I have to be careful with filter size as the cabinets below the tank are quite narrow, probably no more than a foot across inside.

 

[Rod Boughton]

I have just come across a problem which will affect the choice of external filter. The cabinet it was going in has fixed shelves and so I only have a maximum height between the shelf and top of 300mm, I have noticed that most of the filters are quite tall, does anyone know of a filter that will fit in less than 300mm?

Rod

 

[JoshuaA]

Rod, What size tank do you have? There are few smaller externals you can use produced by APS.

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.

Just picking up on this, I have some silicone hosing I bought for siphoning which is the same width and does actually fit (just tried after I read your point) however it's valuable to note that this is an actual issue.

All other spares can be found online, and like most LFSs I've been to they will only order me spares in and rarely have a full selection of them in stock.

 

[ajs2294]

Ebay knockoffs are very cheap and work well IME

 

[JoshuaA]

Ebay knockoffs are very cheap and work well IME

The APS filters appear to be "knock offs" of the Tetratec ones.

 

[Rod Boughton]

Its a 90 litre tank.

Rod, What size tank do you have? There are few smaller externals you can use produced by APS.

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.

Just picking up on this, I have some silicone hosing I bought for siphoning which is the same width and does actually fit (just tried after I read your point) however it's valuable to note that this is an actual issue.

All other spares can be found online, and like most LFSs I've been to they will only order me spares in and rarely have a full selection of them in stock.

 

[Spitzy]

My 305 has arrived just a day after I ordered it It is a big old beastie and will have to go into the fish cabinet sideways, thats what put me off the APS ones, it would have been a tight squeeze going by the dinensions on the site. Right off to find a hack saw, screwdrivers etc etc......

 

[Rod Boughton]

I have just come across this filter which i think will fit with a small amount of cutting out for the pipes etc. SF Aqua-Pro 200 External Power Filter, has anyone had any experience with one of these.

 

[chrisodapz]

hi,

Just remarking on the fluval 305, i have one of thoughs and i haven't had mine long but working ok, its not dead quiet but ok and has good output. The only downside i have found so far is the locking clip that connects the pipes to the filter which i dont like and the self primer does not work.

chriso

 

[Spitzy]

Just a quick update on my new Fluval 305.
Well I managed to fit all the ceramic media from my old filter into the bottom two baskets of the fluval by leaving out the carbon they supplied, the flow has got to be x10 more than the old filter and the water is very clear. When the TV is off you can hear it humming away in the cabinet but it is not excessive and locking off the hoses to wash the sponges is easy there were a couple of drips when disconnected but nothing to write home about, I just put an old towel under it.
So all in all I am very pleased