Internal Or External Filters?

[Spannaz]

right, have just got hold of a used 4ft Juwal Rio 240 litre tank, the 5ft tank appears to have been measured by a woman using a man's tape measure! lol
However, the filter that is in it is just like my current Fluval plus 3. Now this is not going to be enough to keep it clean so is it worth
A. Going for an External filter setup.............if so what one??
B. Get another internal filter and have 2 units going at the same time?

Have no ideas with external and what is good to buy and what is not, this one is right on my door step so no postage but is it any good or is it money down the drain

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/External-Fish-Tank-F...A1%7C240%3A1318

many thanks for all your help

 

[Truck]

go for an eheim pro external

 

[malakye]

I personally prefer external filters, the seem to keep the water cleaner and are easier to clean. I don't know anything about that kind of filter so cant offer an opinion but I am sure someone on here will have used one. Most on here seem to run Eheim or like myself Fluval externals.

 

[Davo86]

most people (like me) use the tetratec Ex1200 with the 240, although something like an eheim classic would be fine if you don't mind having to self prime the unit. (you can pick up a Ex1200 for about £65

you could go for 2 internals but IMO they just take up valuable tank space

 

[Spannaz]

have found an Eheim Ecco Pro 300 local that is good for up to 300 litres, will get one in the morning and see how that performs. I suppose the advatnage is less equipment in the tank so more vision. I assum that these come with everything to install, and distrub less water??? Or do they pump water and creat a current like internals?

 

[rabbut]

Save yourself some money, the Eheim Eccos are Cr?# with a capital C. On a par with Fluval's IMO and they aren't up to much...

Get one of the following;

Tetratec EX1200
Eheim Pro2 2028
Eheim Classic 2217

In that preferance order IMO

The Ecco's are sold under the Eheim brand name and are made by JA(something) one of Eheim's sister companies. They are not true Eheims, and as I found out the hard way, they suffer massive reliability issues...

IMHO, it is better to buy new filters brand new, unless you know the seller. You can never tell how a second hand unit has been treated, and it's care in it's early years affects how long it will last with you

All the best
Rabbut

 

[Spannaz]

cheers Rabbut,
seems very little in price diff between the Eheim Ecco and the Tetratec so will take the advice as given and put my hard earned money into something that will last. It is so tempting to go the cheap route and just get 2 internals (currently have 2 in at the mo, one from old tank as it's full of good stuff lol) but like said it does take up alot of space and cause a hell of a lot of water movement in the tank even on low settings. As i plan to keep the tank for some years to come i don't see any point in saving a few quid when it'll only pack up in the future, hence why i appreciate all the advice from here, as it's from people that have tried, and already made mistakes. Those of which i am trying not to make myself.
many thanks
Stuart