Upgrading To An External Filter

[SUBARU WRX]

My wife bought me last Christmas a full set up which came with hood, heater, internal filter etc which now I'm thinking of changing the fairly basic internal filter for an external Tetratec EX600 or EX700. My tank is approx 70 litres so I know the EX600 is enough but might go for the EX700 as the price difference isn't much and I think it has extra filtering compared to the 600 from what I've read. The cannister size seems the same physical size on all the range 600 - 1200 too. A couple of problems I have are where to put the filter as my tank stands on a solid pine cupboard which is full of stuff and how to get the intake pipe and spray bars into the tank as the hood doesn't have slots in it. I have the lighting unit in the back and can only see my way of getting the in/out into the tank is by cutting the thin metal.

I can't see that I'm the only person who has come up against the hood problem, is cutting it the best idea? Also would the 700 be the better option over the 600? Zooplus are the best price I've found but has an adaptor for UK use, is it just a shaver adaptor type thing or just stick a UK 3 pin plug on it?

Wife on about getting me this for my Birthday next month and doesn't want to end up getting something I can't use. Sorry for so many questions.

Thanks.

 

[Biulu]

Overfiltering is always good, so if you can get the bigger one, the better. I have my tank on a cupboard too, and I have simply put the canister filter next to it on the floor. I understand it is even better to make sure your filter is lower than your tank.

With regard to the hood, I cannot help you I'm afraid. Sometimes hoods have some thinner material in the back that you can easily cut out, especially for the purpose, but without seeing the hood it is difficult to tell.