External Filters For Dummies....?

[PrairieSunflower]

I have been thinking lately that I might want to switch one of my tanks to an external filter.  I currently have a Fluval U3 (and fluval mini, which is only there to keep it cycled until I buy another little quarantine tank as mine cracked). I am thinking of maybe getting something like a Tetratec Ex 700 External Filter.... but haven't the foggiest clue what I would need to do if I did.  Does it come with all the tubes and all that I would need to plug it in and go?  Would my existing filter media be able to me placed inside so that it would be instantly cycled?
 
I know absolutely nothing about external filters.  Oh, and this would be for a 20 gallon tank.

 

[Livewire88]

If you purchase an Ex700 it will come with everything you need so you can set it up and away you go.

You can also use the mature media from your existing cycled filter to put into the Ex700's media trays, this way you should not have any issues.

Depending what fish you have and if your tank is planted you could even go with an external which offers a higher flow rate. There are loads of options available.

Plus going with an external will free up some tank space from where your internal used to be.

Win win situation

 

[Sophie]

I am a huge fan of the Fluval externals. The instruction manuals are pretty good for first time buyers. My first was the Fluval 406 and I only had a little scratch on the head before I was away. Best resource I used was Youtube - Had videos for setting it up by Fluval themselves.
 
Not sure on Tetratec though so useless there!
 
 
Join ussss!

 

[Nik00117]

I myself wish I'd of gone external filter, and will eventually transition to an external filter.

 

[PrairieSunflower]

I didn't even know externals existed when I started out.
 
I thought of another question overnight.  My HOB gets mucked up from time to time... when you use an external... do the tubes get mucked up, and if so, how do you clean them?

 

[Sophie]

I didn't even know externals existed when I started out.
 
I thought of another question overnight.  My HOB gets mucked up from time to time... when you use an external... do the tubes get mucked up, and if so, how do you clean them?

 
The intake gets a bit bad every couple of weeks - this bit;
 

 
Full of debris and such but it also has a ball inside to catch it. Just cleaned as regular maintenance when water changes are done. Can take it all apart. Same with the outlet pipe;
 

 
(Mine are clear plastic though, think the difference between the '05 and '06 models of Fluvals).
 
My FX6 is a completely different kettle of fish though but that's meant for a 1500L tank.
 
The hosing on the other hand, they recommend changing it once a year or so. I imagine mine now after 8 months has a nice brown slime coating but the flow is just as efficient. I'll take it all apart soon enough and give it all a good 'blow' through but the hosing is the only thing that's not see through. The canister itself is all easy to use.
 
 
*worships Fluval*

 

[DreamertK]

I'm not too partial of the constant splashing noise it makes. When water starts getting absorbed into the air and the water levels decline, it gets even louder. As well it's big and bulky and wont allow me to have the entirety of the lid closed.
 
Very easy to set up. Somewhat easy to take it apart to clean.

 

[Sophie]

I'm not too partial of the constant splashing noise it makes. When water starts getting absorbed into the air and the water levels decline, it gets even louder. As well it's big and bulky and wont allow me to have the entirety of the lid closed.
 
Very easy to set up. Somewhat easy to take it apart to clean.

 
My Fluval's are quieter than my Air Pump!

 

[DreamertK]

I'm not too partial of the constant splashing noise it makes. When water starts getting absorbed into the air and the water levels decline, it gets even louder. As well it's big and bulky and wont allow me to have the entirety of the lid closed.
 
Very easy to set up. Somewhat easy to take it apart to clean.

 
My Fluval's are quieter than my Air Pump!

Louder than the water pump I have in my other tank, but that may be because the water level is higher than the pumps outlet on that one.

 

[DrRob]

They'll always make splashing noises if the water level is below the outlet. Generally I've found externals to be one of the quietest of filtering options that have any mechanical grunt.

 

[DreamertK]

This filter outlet seems to only be less than half an inch from the top of the tank.

 

[DrRob]

Ahhh yes. Non adjustable returns are annoying.

 

[Livewire88]

I'm not too partial of the constant splashing noise it makes. When water starts getting absorbed into the air and the water levels decline, it gets even louder. As well it's big and bulky and wont allow me to have the entirety of the lid closed.
 
Very easy to set up. Somewhat easy to take it apart to clean.

 
My Fluval's are quieter than my Air Pump!

 
 
Same here, but then again I have a Fluval Air pump so even jet aeroplanes are quieter.

 

[PrairieSunflower]

I don't know what kind of air pump I have... I only really use it when using meds... but mine is so loud my husband always thinks my tanks are about to break (I assume he means my filter).  LOL

 

[dgwebster]

I have the Tetratec ex1200 and rarely notice it running until the water drops below the spraybar, at which point the Mrs starts heading to the loo regularly...

The biggest issue I have is the Tetratec uses clear hoses and they end up looking quite horrible out in the open with algae (mines has spent its life to the side of my old stand as it wouldnt fit under it).