External Filters - The 2 Everybody Knows

[Labyrinth]

Ok, Ok, I know this question has already come up, but I want to shine some light on it again for me, so im clear!!

I currently have a Fluval Internal Filter, it give way too much current and is an awkward thing to get out an clean, plus its probably sucking up my little fry that the platys are producing.

I want a External Filter now, but I don’t know want brand.

Fluval: Nice and cheap , but I’ve heard they leak and fail
Eheim: Expensive , but most people have no problem with them

The trouble is i want a nice less expensive one that most people have no problems with

And I don’t know because I’ve never brought any of my fish stuff off the internet, would I be better off buying the Filter of eBay? Or would I be safer with one from my LFS?

Thanks in advance for the help

Lab

 

[zirtbow]

I made a thread about this very topic and its on the first page in this same forum. Try to look a little.. just a LITTLE before you ask next time. I swear the other post isn't but a few away from this one.

 

[Labyrinth]

Hi, did look

The posts that were made didn't tell me what I wanted to know:

Like I said

but I want to shine some light on it again for me, so im clear!!

I was taking advice from another member as I first made a post in the Chit Chat and posting it here.

 

[Rooster]

I went through this dilemma a while back... I had always used internal filters, I have now swapped to external, I did a LOT of reading and eventually bought a Eheim 2234... not the latest granted but it was only £64 ! Not a lot dearer than the other makes, but vastly better respected, and 9/10 shops I went to said "way more reliable" even the ones that didnt stock them !

Its not unusual (que Tom Jones!) for these to last 10 years or more, so that would be 12.5 PENCE a week ... not a lot to pay for peace of mind, is it ?
Plus it uses a LOT less power than the others I looked at, so you would make the difference in electricity bills !

 

[AlexAndCarmen]

The internal fluval filters can not be beaten in quietness and effectness. I put a spray bar on the end of mine and nicked the bottom of one of my Wifes nylon black stockings and pulled that over the unit. It keeps the fry and breaks up the larger bits of crap before they get into the filter.I surpose the stocking is also a bio filter. I took the stocking off after three months and the foams where sludge free and water been crystal clear. My other tank, 50gal 48", I use an Eheim 2236 ecco canister, exellent unit. I had Fluval 304 external for one day and took it straight back, it leaks takes on air and was noisy.

 

[smithrc]

it leaks takes on air and was noisy.

Sounds like a setup problem...

we have 3 external fluvals and they are all sine... 2 are nearly 8 years old and only the impella in one has failed.

I setup a Rena XP3 last night and i must say... I prefer the rena - really easy to setup and start and the modular pipe setup is great for fitting your needs.

 

[rixy]

eheim all the way.

 

[willtang3000]

fluvals dont leak unless there the old version like 103,203,303,403 but the newer ones 104,204,304,404 dont leak as they have special clips which clamp it together and there is a even newer ones that have come out

 

[sharp tooth]

ive used super fish aqua pro models and find them to be VERY good. i dont know much about the new aqua one equipment that is starting to show up every were, its cheap and chearful and i havent had any real bad reports about it but its in no way as good quality as ehime.

if the money is a problem then get on the look for an aqua pro filter by superfish.

 

[Labyrinth]

Thanks all, I've already brought and set up the filter now.

Details are on this topic <<LINK>>

Thanks again

Lab