Please Recommend Me An External Filter

[penguin22]

Hi there, after waiting over a year Ive finally got my new tank!!! Its a Beta3 aquarium and holds 420ltres. My bristlenose pleck and Jack Dempsey will enter it first followed by an Oscar. Please tell me what you think the best filter for me would be. Once I have some suggestions I can start pricing them up, ideally I would like to pay under £100 but will pay more, the most important thing is that it will be fully sufficient when this tank is fully stocked. Thankyou for any replys

 

[-SPB-]

I've just bought a tetratec ex 1200 from the www.thelivingseas.co.uk for 59.95. This is a bargain as other shops are selling the for up to 110. I read a lot about them on this forum and on others before i bought one and i've heard nothing but good reviews about them. This is the link where i first found this on the forum:

http/www.fishforums.net/content/Hardware...tratec-Ex-1200/

For the size of the filter, i think you would be hard pressed to find another deal like this. Other people may suggest other options, but hope this helps.

sambangert

 

[penguin22]

Thanks a lot sambangert, Ive looked it up on your link and on the net and for the price it definitly seems the best. I will be ordering it tomorrow night, if in the meantime anyone disagrees with this choice please let me know. Thanks again you have been a massive help

 

[-SPB-]

I've just been having a look on this forum again!!! and on some others and i've heard nothing but praise from the tetratec ex 1200, this is from people wh bought them back in september. It's seems to be comparable to the eheim range of filters in some peoples eyes which is a good thing as eheim have one of the best reputations with regards to filters. And for the price, well you can't go wrong. Also, it comes with all the media, and all the pipes, tubing, spraybar you need to get it going.

 

[Jules H-T]

I've got two ex1200s on my 700L tank and can confirm they are good powerful filters. They can be a bit leaky if you pick them up/move them about by the tops when they are working, and I did kind of lose a fair bit of water to the laminated (thank god) floor and thought one was properly leaking before I learned not to disturb them once running.

Other than that, all good, go for it. Far far more powerful than the Eheim external I used to use on the 60G and now on the 29G.

 

[coldmachineUK]

I use tetatec EX filters on all my tanks, and after recently getting a Fluval 205 with a tank setup I realised I made the right choice. The fluval I got was so flimsy, poorly made, and badly designed by comparison I was really relieved

However, for a tank of 400L+ you might want to consider the Fluva FX5. I have a friend with a 6' tank with one of these and in contrast to the 205 I got it is well made and a really decent filter system.

I'd probably go with one of those, or two EX1200.

 

[nath1]

I have just bought a tetra tec 1200 and a tetra tec 700 for my 450ltr. only just set up the 1200 last night to replace my fluval 405 as it was on it's last legs. It seems very quiet and was easy to set up!
The plan now is to rip out my internal filter and set up the 700 to replace it and free up more space in the aquarium. They will be turning over enough for a 700ltr tank between them so will be ideal for my tank of high waste producers.
I paid £140 for the pair from rocket aquatics with free delivery.
So far so good!!
nath1

 

[8inary]

oh well may throw in my penny's worth lol

for the price, i would go with a fluval FX5. you will pay around £112 off ebay and get a free digi temp probe with it. i can only say good things about the fx5 IMO one of the best externals around!

you will not look back!

 

[penguin22]

Wow thanks, didnt think I would get so many good replys about a filter question. Ive made up my mind and will go with the tetra tec 1200. I think it will take over a year for my tank to be fully stocked as I plan to buy the fish small. It will look a little empty for a while but when the fish do get bigger I will get another filter to run alongside it (maybee another tt1200 if Im as impressed as people who have replyed). Thanks so much the people on this forum never let me down.

 

[mrbudgie]

Fluval FX5 got one on my 6footer and it has put the two huge ehiems i had on it before to shame, or you could have a pair of fluval 305's at each end intead whichever you prefer.

 

[Viper]

I'm also looking at External filters at the moment to go with a 'Juwel Rio 400' tank that i'll soon be purchasing. I too am stuck deciding between the tetra tec 1200 and fluval FX5, would those with the fluval FX5 recommend it for a 400l tank?

I want the best there is!

...but is it intended just for larger tanks?

 

[cane76]

rather than one big powerful filter i would run 2 x eheim 2217 classics(£60 each)
each have a 1000litre turn over and if you ever have a problem with one(which you wont)you have a back up

 

[nath1]

I agree with cane76 about having two filters, whatever the make!
If one breaks down you wont be left filterless. Also if you have to treat your tank you can leave one of your filters carbon free and just run that one instead of having to strip it down each time!!
nath1

 

[adamgreen240]

i have a FX5 on my vision 450 (below) great filter cant reccomend it more. Mine is filled with bio media and a am running a 405 to polish the water.

Hope this helps

Adam

 

[Viper]

Could those with a FX5 tell me how tall it is please.

I'll be buying a Juwel Rio 400 this week and would like to check that it'll fit in the cabinet.