External Filters - Reviews,opinions, Recommendations Etc.

[JMcQueen]

I'm planning a move away from internal filters to an external one. I was looking at the Eheim Professional 3 series but having read a number of reviews Im concerned about the fact that a number of people report the filters developing leaks. Does anyone have experience of the 3 series who can comment or what other externals are recommended?

 

[BigbruiserAl]

Tetratec great value

 

[JMcQueen]

I've actually just thought of another problem. I have a Jewel Rekord 120 tank and Im not sure if the canopy to the tank has any allowances for the tubing of an external filter. May have to have a look at the weekend with a view to 'modifying' the lid. i.e. cut a section out.

 

[Aqua Tom]

I have a Juwel Rio 180 with an external filter. It is easy enough to cut a Juwel lid to accomadate the pipework.


Tom

 

[nicolaisam]

I've actually just thought of another problem. I have a Jewel Rekord 120 tank and Im not sure if the canopy to the tank has any allowances for the tubing of an external filter. May have to have a look at the weekend with a view to 'modifying' the lid. i.e. cut a section out.

I have a Juwel Rekord 600 and i run an Aqua one 750 external,no cutting required.
I also have a Rio 180 and the slots at the back are big enough to fiter the 16/22 mm pipes that are on my Eheim external to fit without cutting.

 

[ian]

^^agree, the Juwel lids are easy cut with a Stanley knife. I will just stick the Hydor Prime 30 in the mix. A great external filter!

 

[PCambo86]

Iv never had a problem with fluval external filters.

 

[Rickzayne]

Fluval 405 in my juwel rio 180

The pipes fit in the grooves almost and more discrete!

 

[JMcQueen]

Im thinking the fluval's would be the best bet as it would be easier to transfer the media across from the fluval internals.

 

[Rickzayne]

My 405 cost £96 new.

So there's some good bargains if you shop around.

 

[JMcQueen]

Im torn between the 205 and the 305. The tanks only 120L but I have goldfish who are notoriously messy but then I dont know if the 305 would be overkill.

 

[BigbruiserAl]

Get the 405 you cant over filter and without doubt you will get a bigger tank in the future and can just put a mature 405 in. the cost between them is not worth down size

 

[Caprichoso]

I like the FX5 but only with the mods done to it to improve filtration and filter nozzle flow. With the mods, I feel it's truly an amazing filtration system at a cost of around $329.00CAN.

 

[raptorrex]

I'm planning a move away from internal filters to an external one. I was looking at the Eheim Professional 3 series but having read a number of reviews Im concerned about the fact that a number of people report the filters developing leaks. Does anyone have experience of the 3 series who can comment or what other externals are recommended?

tank size would help with reconsiderations.
I'd steer clear of the new pro3's. but the 2080 is a fine reliable filter. along with any PRO or PRO2 (avoid the wet and dry versions. and if buying a SH thermo, dont pay any extra)
+1 of the hydor prime 30. a better filter than the Tetra 1200. IMHO
for bigger tanks try the fluval fx5

I can give a full review(if a review, as opposed to a recommendation, is what you want.) of the hydor and the PRO eheims along with the 2213.
recently i've been using a fluval 305. but the hydor is a better filter (mechanically and biologically) and as the prices are the same. the hydor wins.

something to look at is the AllPondsSolution filters. whilst the uv is usless. they are liked by some users. however reliability and service, are patchy (if post here are anything to go by). and they just haven't been around long enough to gauging their long term reliability.

 

[JMcQueen]

I must admit, I hadnt considered the Hydor. I was drawn to the Fluval due to using their internals and the fact that there tends to be a fair few on eBay for around £30. Eheim mainly because they have a generally good repuatation for producing good filters.

Whilst I agree you cant have too much filtration, you can have too much output. I was originally using a Fluval U4 internal but the output created too much of a current in the tank so I downsized to U3. Therefore I think a 405 would be too much.