External Filters

[mishmash]

Right, Im getting a nice bare aquarium next week and will need a decent external filter for it. Its dimensions are 80cm x 45cm x 55cm tall, so although its only 2'6" its quite deep and tall and holds best part of 180L.

I had a fluval 205 on a smaller tank a few years back but could never get rid of a slight air bubble and it drove me mad as it was in the bedroom (as will this one be). Then I changed to an Eheim Ecco and it was a FABULOUS wee filter. So quiet it was beyond belief.

What are your recommendations ? Cos Eheim are on the pricey side. I heard Aqua One filters were quite quiet, but what about the Tetratec ones too ?

Are the eheim thermofilters or eheim wet and dry ones any good ? What about the "eheim professional" range ? Are they any better than the classics ?

Also, what media do people generally feel is best (will be for a planted aquarium with mainly small fish but I do tend to keep to the upper end of stocking densities) ?

Thanks...

 

[BigbruiserAl]

There can be only one

 

[mishmash]

There can be only one

Sell it to me then BBA What are the advantages of a tetratec over the other brands ?

 

[Juggler75]

They are cheaper, come fully supplied with media, are powerful, reliable and silent. All you want from a filter.


I haven't even got one and I know the sales pitch now lol

 

[Tizer]

imo there is no "best" but there are some that you cant really go wrong with. The Tetratecs tick all the boxes for me for the above reasons. The fluvals are good and the new *06 range are probably a lot better, but they dont have as much room for media and the ribbed tubes are pants (imo). I cant comment on other makes, i've onyl ever owned these two. Team Tetratec win win!

 

[nurglespuss]

I'll be backing JBL series of externals here...

Excellent value for money (cheaper than tetratec!), grat build quality, great customer service, good flow, and they are big too! so loads of surface area!!

I've got an e700 running wonderfully at the moment!

 

[Rillo Boy]

+1 for Tetratec , these filters are #41#### good, but the customer service is even better !

 

[BigbruiserAl]

yeah the tetratec are very good, as said the CS is outstanding, if you call them with a broken motor they just send you a new one no question no messing

Edit: that's if they break i got 4 of them going strong

 

[Rillo Boy]

And if you fit an in line heater.....approx £25 new.......no heaters in the tank and Bobs your cross dressing Aunty !

 

[mishmash]

And if you fit an in line heater.....approx £25 new.......no heaters in the tank and Bobs your cross dressing Aunty !

Which make are you saying you can fit an inline heater ? cheers

EDIT: Oops just looked up about them. GREAT idea, was not even aware of them. Any associated problems ? Any particular brand more or less reliable ?

Anyone tell me the best online or warehouse retailer in terms of price ? Thanks again.

 

[Rillo Boy]

And if you fit an in line heater.....approx £25 new.......no heaters in the tank and Bobs your cross dressing Aunty !

Which make are you saying you can fit an inline heater ? cheers

EDIT: Oops just looked up about them. GREAT idea, was not even aware of them. Any associated problems ? Any particular brand more or less reliable ?

Anyone tell me the best online or warehouse retailer in terms of price ? Thanks again.

I have the hydor mate, if you look on fleabay, you can get them at around this price including delivery from a dealer in Kent ...

 

[minnnt]

TEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAM TETRATEC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



The 1200 would be perfect for your sized tank.

 

[BigbruiserAl]

was wondering where you were minnnt, your late to this party

 

[mishmash]

TEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAM TETRATEC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



The 1200 would be perfect for your sized tank.

How much ? the tank i have comes with an aqua one aquis 750 but i might be persuaded to flog it if everyone says the tetratec is better. Incidentally the bloke who owns Dicker Aquatics near Eastbourne says Tetratec are rubbish. But then he sells Aqua One stuff lol. It does annoy me when LFS people just diss everything they dont sell and only big up the stuff they do !!! Grrr. I want something thats Q U I E T as a church mouse as its going in my bedroom

 

[nurglespuss]

Go on google and search for a review on tetratec filters... they are very 'mixed'.

Not to go on, but the the JBL e700 currently running in my room? I only know its running because I have the return flow high up and can hear the water.