External Filters

[Rod Boughton]

Hi, just been reading through this topic, would this filter be too big for my 90 litre tank, and can you tell me what type of unit it uses inside the tank to extract the water, iread it has a spray bar to return the water, but just wondered what it used to take the water out.

Rod

 

[JoshuaA]

Hi, just been reading through this topic, would this filter be too big for my 90 litre tank, and can you tell me what type of unit it uses inside the tank to extract the water, iread it has a spray bar to return the water, but just wondered what it used to take the water out.

Rod

I am running the 1400 on my 125 litre tank which actually only holds around 100litres when you take the substrate etc into account.

I've only just set it up today but in terms of flow I don't think is near what you will imagine, you may want to go for the smaller model just in case.

The filter siphons up the water through a strainer, basically a pipe with a fixture at the end and it is grated vertically which allows water and small debris to be siphoned out of the tank but not too wide to prevent fish and plants etc being sucked up.

The external filters are quite nifty if you think about the fact they work almost entirely off siphoning.

 

[Jamepsss]

My 2000EF came today (that was quick), just spent the last couple of hours setting it up.

When I took it out of the box my first thought was, s***, this isn't going to fit in the cabinet. It's an absolute beast of a filter. Luckily it did fit, but only just. Up and running now and seems good. Had to cut the pipes down a bit and the plastic connections are a bit fragile, cracked one of the connecting pieces but didn't need them all anyway. Not bothered with the spray bar or UV yet but may use them in future. I was quite impressed with all the media you get with it. With all my existing media and the new stuff I had a bag of ceramic rings left over.

All this for £60, crazy.

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

I setup one of my two 2000EFs (both bought in the sale) down in the 5-footer two days ago, the one I seeded and added to the Rio240 last week. Its made a massive difference to the flow down there, having replaced the Eheim 2078, really pleased to finally get this filter and especially at £60 each!

The modular sections of this filter are really handy...

• Adjustable length in-pipe that connects to strainer
• Three sections for the spray bar (so you can adjust the flow intensity and even create different flow rates by angling the sections differently)
• Several 90 degree bends, so you can position the spray bar attachment exactly where you want it

Things did not all go to plan with the installation for me, as the rubber pipes are thicker than that on the Eheim, so they would not fit through the holes that "nelly" drilled in the top wooden bevel. I've had to keep the "door" lid slightly ajar at the front, so that the rubber pipes enter the aquarium through the gap, which is hardy ideal when we have another cold snap of weather coming and I've been trying to insulate this outdoor tank!
I ended up not using any of the spray bars, so ~2000lph gushes out through the final ~1cm 90 degree bend, firing into the water from just above at ~45 degrees going past the 300W Rena heater top... Loads of aeration and the heater has no excuse for cutting off too soon to maintain 22C, the fish are happy (especially my Barilus and Humphead Glassfish) and so am I!

 

[BIG BAD BARRY]

Can the flow rate be varied on these filters?

 

[JoshuaA]

Can the flow rate be varied on these filters?

There is no direct way of changing it however you can just pack it with more media and it will slow down.

Has anyone actually used the surface skimmer that comes with the intake strainer? I thought about it but decided not to when I imagine all the things that might trapped or lost in there.

 

[weezawoo]

This all sounds pretty great!
Bit worried it might not fit in my cupboard though but it will have to go next to it! I'm sure I will figure it out. Would you reccommend buying the top up pack of media straight away or how long will it be until I need some more? Also in regards to changing over the filters, Would you reccommend taking all my internals away (I have 3 on at the moment) and putting the old media in the new external, or running the external at the same time as the others and gradually take them away?
I think I may as well go for the 2000EF tbh, excellent price!

 

[Jamepsss]

Can the flow rate be varied on these filters?

There is no direct way of changing it however you can just pack it with more media and it will slow down.

Has anyone actually used the surface skimmer that comes with the intake strainer? I thought about it but decided not to when I imagine all the things that might trapped or lost in there.

I thought the lever on the aqua-stop adjusted the flow rate? I didn't bother with the surface skimmer thing, seemd a bit pointless.

This all sounds pretty great!
Bit worried it might not fit in my cupboard though but it will have to go next to it! I'm sure I will figure it out. Would you reccommend buying the top up pack of media straight away or how long will it be until I need some more? Also in regards to changing over the filters, Would you reccommend taking all my internals away (I have 3 on at the moment) and putting the old media in the new external, or running the external at the same time as the others and gradually take them away?
I think I may as well go for the 2000EF tbh, excellent price!

If it was me I'd stuff all the media from all three internals in to it straight away and get rid of them. I think you'll have enough media with what they give you and what you already have.

With the 2000EF you get sponges in each of the four trays as well as 2 bags of ceramic rings and a tray of plastic bio-balls. Oh, and 2 or 3 bags of carbon (which I didn't use).

 

[weezawoo]

In 2 of the filters I have the media is pretty much on its last legs, I got them with a new tank, apparently they were changed 4 weeks ago, what a lie haha! They look like they were never changed and they are not running water through enough, the flow rate atm is awful hence 3 filters! I think it would effect the new one putting it all in or do you think it would be ok? I have cleaned them (with tank water obs) but they are still awful.
Am I able to use other media with the 2000EF or can I only buy their stuff when I run out?

 

[Jamepsss]

In 2 of the filters I have the media is pretty much on its last legs, I got them with a new tank, apparently they were changed 4 weeks ago, what a lie haha! They look like they were never changed and they are not running water through enough, the flow rate atm is awful hence 3 filters! I think it would effect the new one putting it all in or do you think it would be ok? I have cleaned them (with tank water obs) but they are still awful.
Am I able to use other media with the 2000EF or can I only buy their stuff when I run out?

I'd still use it for the first few weeks just to be on the safe side, it will help seed the new media. You can put any media you like in there, doesn't have to be theirs.

Edit - the foams are made to measure the trays so you might want to use their foams when they need replacing.

 

[weezawoo]

Grat thanks! I have to wait for payday tomorrow then I am ordering very excited!!!
Fish keeping is a very bad thing, I cancelled a direct debit coming out so I could get the 20% discount oops

 

[weezawoo]

YES!!!! ordered my external! Now to wait for it to arrive next week! I can't wait!!!! Is the UV light useful or do most people not use it? I bought the 2000EF version!

 

[Rod Boughton]

Hi, just been reading through this topic, would this filter be too big for my 90 litre tank, and can you tell me what type of unit it uses inside the tank to extract the water, iread it has a spray bar to return the water, but just wondered what it used to take the water out.

Rod

I am running the 1400 on my 125 litre tank which actually only holds around 100litres when you take the substrate etc into account.

I've only just set it up today but in terms of flow I don't think is near what you will imagine, you may want to go for the smaller model just in case.

The filter siphons up the water through a strainer, basically a pipe with a fixture at the end and it is grated vertically which allows water and small debris to be siphoned out of the tank but not too wide to prevent fish and plants etc being sucked up.

The external filters are quite nifty if you think about the fact they work almost entirely off siphoning.

Hi Thanks for responding to my questions, are you saying the flow would be too powerful for my tank, i had a look at the 1400 and it's cheaper too which helps, i am running an internal fluval U2 at the moment, but there always seems to be some floating particles in the water, i think it's prbably struggling to filter the water effectively, thats why i am considering an bigger external filter, i know the flow rate doesnt matter in terms of how quickly it can turnover the tank, the more litres per hour the better, but i dont want a tidal wave going back in. I would appreciate your comments seeing as you are experiencing one first hand.

Many thanks Rod

 

[JoshuaA]

I thought the lever on the aqua-stop adjusted the flow rate? I didn't bother with the surface skimmer thing, seemd a bit pointless.

Pretty sure that's actually just to stop the flow not restrict it for when cleaning the filter, I wouldn't use it for that though it would work but it would also loosen the fit afaik.