Final Had Enough Of The Black Box

[Phoenixfish]

Hey people,
well I’ve decided that i want to remove the internal filter found in the Jewel reo 125 as

1) its ugly
2) it takes up way too much scaping space
3) it collects cr*p

Well i've read up on past threads on how to remove it and also printed out the TTF newsletter edition

But here's the main problem i want to swap it out for a better external filter without spending £££
Now id likes an Eheim but i think they might be out of my price range ... we shall see
The lFS is reducing stock and moving premises so everything’s 10% off at the moment (yeh i brought plants ^^)

So my question is really what External filters would be suitable for a heavily planted full stocked 125lt tank the doesn’t cost £££'s

Im going to go into town sometime next week (cant sooner as i have work) to price up my options,
Also i assume i can use the current heater if i get a heater guard but i read somewhere that they are not full submersible...

any help is appreciated Phoenix.

 

[for_my_fish]

an eheim or a tetratec (ex700) would be a good choice. Save up the pennies and stick with one of these brands, it will be cheaper in the long run For the eheim, the classic or ecco range would be ideal, I don't see the point in the pro or pro 2 (in fact I returned a pro a while back) the ecco is very good for the money

I recently removed the juwel internal filter. with a bit of patience and perusasion they come out easy enough - just don'e rush it!!

 

[demonmagus]

check out charterhouse aquatics for awesome eheim deals, really good prices, I would stick with the classics

 

[shrimply]

check out charterhouse aquatics for awesome eheim deals, really good prices, I would stick with the classics

You shouldn't get one much cheaper than this ebay seller for the 2213. Here
I would advise you not to make the same mistake I made and order one without taps or media. I got mine from Zooplus for £33 all in and i managed without the taps and already had media. But getting the taps should make it a lot easier. I am now wanting to fit an external heater and feel the taps are needed so the filter doesn't run dry. The cheapest I got for two double taps was £17.10 which means I have acctually spent over £50 and never got any media. Well we live a learn, if something looks too good to be true it usually is.

 

[demonmagus]

wow that's cheap

 

[vic]

I would think you would be wise to check out the Rena Filstar cannister filters. This line of filters are produced by Aquarium Pharmaceuticals. I have to xP3's on my 125USG and I am very happy with them. They are easy to clean and very quite. One of them has a DIY CO2 in the return line. Works just great. The rule of thumb for cannister filter is the flow rate per hour should be at least 5 times the tanks water volume. Over filtration beats the alternative every time.
Vic

 

[shawy]

i personally would go for the eheim 2213 and theres a cheaper one on ebay from a shop which is good as i have had one from there heres the link.
its £42.99 + free delivery

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/2213-plus-Eheim-exte...1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[bare bottom]

Thinking of doing this too.

Would a tetratec ex1200 be to much for a rio 125? my tanks will only get bigger!

 

[NoRp]

btw if u empty the tank you can see the blos of silcone holding the box in place i just used a kitchen kniff and cut it off

 

[Phoenixfish]

wow lots of replys ^.^
well i heard that the eco range was well inshort cr*p but everyone seems to like the 2213 *looks up on net now*
see id ask my dad to order it off ebay but with some current family issues theres other things on his mind,
but ill look at the prices in the locals next time i get a chance,

next question and quite possibly slightly silly but would i have to remove the fish? as that would be a bi*ch especially my 3spot talking catfish (Agamyxis pectinifrons) as it likes jaming itself in a wood knot(which i havent actually seen it out off, imean i was told it was noctural but bloody hell and yes its alive you cna see the gills moving,
before i removed the filter? or is it possible to do it with like 50% water n fish in, if not i can make do ^.^

also i read that the replace ment media can be pricey but like the jewel one you can get past it with just cutting your own right?!

 

[for_my_fish]

I only tyook about 1/2 the water out and worked on the top couple of blobs of adhesive. Once they were free the bottom came free very easily, so I didn't remove the fish. All I can say again is take your time, there is some chance of damaging the tank otherwise

I can't really fault the eheim ecco for the price. Not had the tetratec long, but if its reliable its probably better than the eheim.

In terms of filter media, I'm not sure I'm following. The only media I've really ever replaced with any filter has been the white fine sponges. The rest have just been periodically cleaned and put back in the filter. Most filters say to replace the sponges, but most find thats not needed!

 

[Phoenixfish]

well its not happening for a while least a week or so as i need to check prices n wot not *mutters* damn working saturday and sunday no time for LFS
i just mentioned the media question because it cropped up a few times that the media was exspencive to replace ..not that youd do it that offten mind hmmmmmm already got an idea whats going in the space tho ... a mountain of bogwood lol
but we shall see there isnt alot i can do at the moment like i say nothing going to happen for a couple of days. for the classic 2213 in shops im looking at £50ish right for media n taps ?! but then again if i can get it from a certain shop i can get 10% discount as im an elite member i think ive prob saved like £50 in discounts alone =D

im lucky though ive got 3 LFS within a bus distance on the way to college and all on the same stretch with 2 3 minutes away from each other =D