Fluval External Filters

[chishnfips]

I was thinking about getting an external filter, and was checking out the fluval 204.

Does it come ready to go from the box or do you need to buy any extra equipment for it to get it going?

 

[rfisher]

Hi,

I posted a similar article a few weeks ago and from the replies I got it would seem that not many people on this forum rate them very much. They seem to be fond of leaking from what I remember from one of the replies.

I have been looking at the Tetratec 'EX' range and they seem to be good. My LFS has sold a few and not had any complaints, at least that is what they told me. Although I think that most people would say Eheim.

Hope this helps,

Rich

 

[k.o.d]

I have used Eheims, Rena's and fluvals, all work fine and have not had any problem with the seal leaking unless the seal is worn on the Fluvals ( same as Rena and Eheim )
Personally I prefer the build quality and more importantly the availability of spares for the Eheims.

I have had an awful job getting a seal for a Rena XP3, all my spares for the Eheims come from John Allan the very next day

Another filter you may like to consider is the Aqua Pro range, they are an Eheim clone and I ran one I won as a prize for a year without any problems and it was as quiet as the Eheim at a fraction of the price

Steve

 

[MoreCoffee]

I was thinking about getting an external filter, and was checking out the fluval 204.

Does it come ready to go from the box or do you need to buy any extra equipment for it to get it going?

I'm currently using a Fluval 105 in my 80Ltr tank without any problems at all.
Nothing extra to buy and very easy to setup and easy to clean.

.

 

[chishnfips]

cheers for the replies guys, I need to do some price checking.....enheim would be my choice if I could afford one but I thought fluval where reliable (maybeez not as reliable as I thought) The aqua pro seems a good option.

Do you know what size I would need for a 28 UK gallon tank?

 

[Callum]

I thought fluval where reliable (maybeez not as reliable as I thought)

personally i have had absolutely no prolems with my 205 but i have heard that the 204 was unreliable and as long as you rub vaseline on the seal it shouldnt become worn. Also for a 28 uk gallon you would need a fluval 204/205. Dont know anything about eheims though.

 

[chishnfips]

hmmmmmm, I wasa just online looking at the aqua pro one aswell, it looks almost identical to the enheim filters. and its only £40, I wonder how good they are?

 

[mantis147]

www.swelluk.com do the Eheim ecco 2232 for £51.99 & free delivery, thats what i got and they seem ok!

 

[chishnfips]

yip just been on there having a look, I would probably get the one for £59.99. Thats a decent price me thinks.

 

[mantis147]

yip just been on there having a look, I would probably get the one for £59.99. Thats a decent price me thinks.

Good Choice!!

 

[chishnfips]

Are they noisy or quite quiet? And would need an air pump aswell wouldn't I.

 

[Bloo]

Is this for your 4ft tank ? If so, you'd be better off with an Eheim 2215. The Ecco will not suffice. You could possibly grab yourself a bargain on eBay

If you check out completed listings they seem to sell second hand from anything from £14 - £34 + postage. You realy can't go wrong there.

Ps: nope if correctly set up they should be totally dead silent. And no, you do not require an airpump - unless you want to increase aeration in sweltering hot weather or durning medication.

 

[chishnfips]

Hiya Bloo hows you?

My 4ft is only 28 uk gallons though I think the one I was looking at did up to 500litres an hour, and even by at least halfing what the GPH is it would still be plenty enough.

Why do you reckon it would ney be powerful enough?

cheers

 

[Bloo]

I'm well thanks. The Ecco is renowned to be underpowered & quality in hardware not as good as the rest of the Eheim range. Handle & seal problems etc. seem to crop up every now and again from what I see and what my lfs told me when I did my research.
And with the stocking and length of tank you have, you need higher filtration to prevent any possible dead spots. I run a 2213 on my 2ft 19 US gallon (with Endlers and shrimp that do not appreciate a strong current even) - and judging by that and your stocking, I'd say that you need absolutely need a stronger filter that offers better and larger filtration.

Same really with my Eheim Prof 2224 that I run on my 47 Gallon 3ft. They are rated for tank larger than that, however personally I don't think that's possible.

So just making recommendations from my experience

You might also find this opinion of value - and I agree with Neale.

Adding anything to a filter decreases its capactity. Realistically, downgrade what the manufacturer puts on the box by 30-50%. So a 1000 litre/hour filter may well only turn the water over by 500 lph once the filter is filled with media and some fish/plant waste as well.

Cheers,

Neale

 

[chishnfips]

lol, cheers for the input bloo, I shall maybe need to revise my decision then, so you reckon the 2215 might do the job?

what about the aqua pro range have you had any experience with them?