Filter internal or external

[Batman]

I bought a Juwel trigon 190 which has a built in filter / heater unit. although it does the job being a corner unit with bowed front access is difficult to carry out maintenance. Would the expense of a ehiem external filter for instance and a little modification to the hood to allow the tubes to fit be of benifit to the efficiency of the tank as well as allowing me easier access.
Batman

 

[Batman]

Just reading the other other topics it looks like the ehiem is the way to go. Has anyone out there done a similar modification.
Batman

 

[john5748]

I was lucky enough to be given an Eheim external thermofilter by a friend who was moving and could no longer have fish at his new place.

Although they don't do the particular model I have anymore I find it brilliant, it keeps the water at the right temp and only needs cleaning once every couple of months and it does an excellent job with the water, filtering out all the "crap" and keeping my fish happy.

They are quite pricey and I am not sure if I would have bought one when I first started because of that, but having used this for the last six months I would not use anything else.

Please bear in mind though it will not be worthwhile buying one of these if you only have a small tank, so I would suggest a little research as I have found the advice given in your lfs is not always the best.

Hope this helps and if you need any other advice just let me know.

 

[Batman]

Thanks John. My tank is 190 litre, what media do you use?

 

[lighter]

I prefer external for the fact that when i clean the filters i need not disturb the water inside.

 

[john5748]

I use the substrate (I think that is what it is called) that came with the filter, this just gets rinsed out each time it is cleaned under the tap, I know that I am washing away the "good bacteria" and should wash it with tank water but if I did that the poor fish would not have any left and anyway the tank is big enough not to miss it as I do water tests on the water religiously each week and have had no problems yet (touch wood).

I am not sure how much water my tank holds maybe someone could help me on that my tank measures:

Width 48 inches
Length 15 inches
Height 16 inches

I am guessing it would be about 200 litres but is there anyway to work it out accuratley?

Anyway back to the cannister (got sidetracked there), in the cannister there is 3 filter pads of different density with the substrate in between the thickest is at the bottom with the finest at the top. I don't know what else to say really except I like it, as you can probaly tell I am quite new to this also but keen to learn more.

 

[Arthur.Ave]

External Eheim is the way to go, got my 2213 hooked up, silent, yet powerful.

 

[keane]

I use Fluval filters.

I have one internal and one external on each of my tanks.

steve