Have Narrowed My Choice Down To 3 Filters....

[Curiosity101]

It's a 125l tank, and I'd like a decent amount of turnover but not too much in the way of current...at the mo my Fluval 3+ is giving a bit too much flow for the plants (even when turned down + pointed at the back of the tank).

So it's between:

Eheim 2026 - It was the top runner on build quality and noise levels...but I'm not as impressed by the actually filtration set-up

Or TetraTec EX1200 - For the price and such I really like this...build quality isn't necessarily as good as the eheim and I'm not sure it's as quiet. I LOVE how many layers of filters there are in it though...it gives a huge amount of flexibility

OR Fluval U4 - Just thinking as you can change the output...and it's a nice little flip top.


I'm edging more and more towards TetraTec Ex1200...I figure it comes with a warranty, and I'll keep my old filter for emergencies just in case something did go wrong.

Has anyone got the U4...or any of the U series for that matter? Are they as good as they look? Or is it just some good marketing?

 

[ShoC]

Dont go tetratec ex1200

Don't get me wrong its a great filter.. BUT I have had nothing but problems since I got it,

Firstly the impeller was oscilating so had to buy a new one, Water is getting into the motor head. Each time I prime it water squirts in my face
And I get random leaks with it. Makes me feel very uncomfortable
the build quality just feels very cheap sadly, as I do really like it.

I just upgraded it (waiting for delivery) to an Eheim electronic Pro thingy... That looks tasty

 

[Curiosity101]

You were meant to say..."It's great...it's brilliant..."

Instead my purse hurts...or more precisely my VISA card. lol. Oh well. I suppose I should resign to the fact that you genuinely get what you pay for. Thing is, I kinda want the size up from the Eheim ProII 2026.

Or more precisely I want the new 3 series... The 2073.

If only price wasn't a factor. I think I will go with the 2026 unless anyone thinks the U4 / U series is really really good. And not just a bit gimmicky.

 

[ShoC]

honestly the Ex1200 is fantastic but I have had endless problems with the motor head, apparently it was an earlier design issue, and has been solved..
But I lost my details so couldnt get a replacement

Hope that sets your mind a little.

and yes I felt what I bought, Got the expensive version £200 designed for 700litre tank.. on my modest 125litre

 

[three-fingers]

Given the choice between those I'd get the 2026, Tetratecs are generally great (as with any filter, you sometimes get a bad one), but that's why you would pay more for an Eheim.

But if money was an issue (as it always is for me), I'd go for the Tetrate (or a Fluval 405 ).

The Fluval U4 is brilliant, but it's still an internal filter, so isnt as good as an external IMO.

 

[Tolak]

If you want to go a bit larger than the 2026 there is the 2028.

 

[ShoC]

Eheim classic is good

 

[mike os]

there is no choice mate... eheim every time... if you want a trouble free life

 

[Nick16]

tetratecs are fine. i had a fault with one of mine and i had a new part sent to me free of charge withing 2 days. rupert is great at tetra. eheim customer service is non existent so when you do get a problem, you are stranded.

 

[Curiosity101]

Thanks everyone for your opinion.
I think I'll end up with the Eheim. Not sure if it'll be the 2026 or 2028. It's £20 extra for an extra 1x turnover.

I've got some time until pay day...but at the moment, I think it's going to have to be the eheim 2026.
It's not like money isn't an issue, but once I'm at Uni, reliability has to be 110% as I wont be there to clean up the mess! lol.

 

[MermaidMel]

tetratecs are fine. i had a fault with one of mine and i had a new part sent to me free of charge withing 2 days. rupert is great at tetra. eheim customer service is non existent so when you do get a problem, you are stranded.

Nick I rung on Tuesday morning, Rupert told me ring the parts centre in Germany, which I did and got the rudest woman ever dealing with me. Suffice to say I rang Rupert back and put in a complaint. Apparently my part was sent Thursday last by DHL and I should have it tomorrow. Now why couldn't they have sent it the same day, knowing full well the problem with the part is their fault and knowing I have a tank full of fish and plants. I am really not happy, my plants are going brown and I haven't fed my fish for 5 days and there is no guarantee the part will solve my problem. If it doesn't, I am going to ring Rupert again and ask for a replacement unit, it's not really good enough imo.

 

[tuskancharger]

i love my ehim go with the flow

 

[dave_oddballs]

i have a problem free life using only fluval filters, eheims might have a slightly better build quality but no where near enough to justify the price difference.
i run an fx5, 305, 2x 3plus and a 2 plus and never get problems! more than enough to satisfy me!

David

 

[mike os]

odd isn't it, how peoples experience of kit can be so different...

I would not run fluval or tetratec for any essential task, OK for complimentary/chem but never for main/bio..... (even if you paid me)

 

[Mystil]

I have a Eheim classic 2217 and have not had a fault with it at all...It had had two previous owners and I havent had a problem. It is on my Rio 180 and moves my water around pretty good. Just nosiy when you first set it up but I think that is the same with all externals.

Have heard fluvals are a pain in the butt if they go wrong.