External Filters

[h_ceri]

hi, was looking to pick up a tetratec ex700 today from www.zooplus.co.uk but they're out of stock. is the ex600 a big step down, because it seems to only cycle a 100less litres per hour (600 instead of 700), would this realy be a big drop for a 100 litre tank (i want to replace the internal jewel I have running already). Or would a different one from that sight be better (similar price range)?
Thank
C

edit:

I just found the ex1200 for 70 all in, is there any way this could be turned down so as not to blow my fish to pieces? if so would this be the beter option?

 

[SuperColey1]

There are valves on the in and out tubes which the instructions say close slightly to reduce flow (much like the lever on the fluval internals that reduces the opening to the filter can)

So yes a 1200 will be overkill but you can reduce the flow.

I would wait for the EX700 though. I have 1 on my 125Ltr tank on full pelt (planted tank) and the tank is clear as a crystal ball

Andy

 

[shrimply]

Does it have to be a tetratec?

I know they are supposed to be good filters but I have an eheim classic 2213 and it is brilliant. I run mine on a 120l and it works great. Cheaper too. You can get it here for under £40

http/www.fishfurfeather.com/eheim-2213-e...ter-p-2299.html

Sorry if this is no good just wondered if you had considered anything else. I am so tempted to get one for my 60 gallon tank since I found them at that price.

 

[xingumike]

i have the 1200 and the flow is adjustable, i'd go for that, chances are you will want a bigger tank at some point anyway, filtration will be already adequate then.

 

[h_ceri]

Thanks for the advice, decided to go with the ex1200 eventually because as soon as I get a bigger room than my student one i will be upgrading. So it's arrived today and it's huge! What's the best way to position the spray bar etc, do I want the intake pipe and spray bar on opposite ends of the tank? Thanks for any help in advance. C

 

[The-Wolf]

do I want the intake pipe and spray bar on opposite ends of the tank?

idealy yes but having them on the same side is ok too.
you could even have the spraybar on the back of the tank with the intake at either one of the ends.

 

[DevUK]

Try watching this video at PFK for setting up the EX700:

http/www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/..._id=IgI5vXicWdc

Or direct YouTube link (same video):

http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgI5vXicWdc

 

[h_ceri]

Thanks for the video, will save a bit of time with the instruction manual! Can anyone tell me would it be better to have the spray bar along the back (I can fit the whole bar along the back) or to just have part of the bar on the side or does it realy not matter and is just up to preference? And I've read I s hould leave my old filter in for a while before replacing it?

Thanks again.
C

 

[vinylman]

Thanks for the video, will save a bit of time with the instruction manual! Can anyone tell me would it be better to have the spray bar along the back (I can fit the whole bar along the back) or to just have part of the bar on the side or does it realy not matter and is just up to preference? And I've read I s hould leave my old filter in for a while before replacing it?

Thanks again.
C

If you've got room for the whole bar, do that - it'll circulate the filtered water better. I'd never had an external before I bought the EX700. I had it out of the box and working within twenty minutes. If I can do it, anyone can. Don't even think about cleaning the filter for a couple of months, or unless you see the return flow output dropping.

 

[chuts]

I have the ex1200 in my trigon 190L and am very happy with it.

Does anybody know if the spray bar can be mounter vertically with the bits you get in the box?

 

[vinylman]

I have the ex1200 in my trigon 190L and am very happy with it.

Does anybody know if the spray bar can be mounter vertically with the bits you get in the box?

Don't see why not; I don't think I've ever seen anyone do it, though, now you mention it.

 

[SuperColey1]

You can't with the 700s the bend attachment has a different connection to the spray bar and has arubber seal, otherwise you could remove the L bend and just have the spraybar vertically.

As for leaving the old filter in. I didn't. It was in the garage before I'd opened the new box.

Removed the carbon bag and put the old internal's media in its place. closed it, connected it all up, primed it and away it went (with the previous bacteria colony still on the old media which was 2 pads from the fluval3plus)

Andy

 

[vinylman]

You can't with the 700s the bend attachment has a different connection to the spray bar and has arubber seal, otherwise you could remove the L bend and just have the spraybar vertically.

As for leaving the old filter in. I didn't. It was in the garage before I'd opened the new box.

Removed the carbon bag and put the old internal's media in its place. closed it, connected it all up, primed it and away it went (with the previous bacteria colony still on the old media which was 2 pads from the fluval3plus)

Andy

Yup, that's exactly what I did, too. My old internal was the 4 Plus, so it took a bit of cramming in. Never had a second's problem.