What Is The Best Ext Filter For A Fluval Roma 200 Tank?

[rolo0151]

Right.......

I have been running a fluval u4 for a while now & although it seems to be doing a decent job I reall do not like the maintainence side of it, the look of it etc.

Having read lots of different things about the pros & cons of an internal versus an external I am seriously considering one.

In an ideal world I do not want to be cutting the tank/lid to accomodate a new filter but this may be un-avoidable.

I have been looking at the "all pond solutions" range (See links below) They seem good value for money. Does anyone have one or have forst hand experience of running one?

http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1000L-H-Aquarium-External-Fish-Tank-Filter-Media-All-Pond-Solutions-1000EF-/180753830844?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item2a15c493bc

http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2000L-H-Aquarium-External-Fish-Tank-Filter-Media-All-Pond-Solutions-2000EF-/180753839572?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item2a15c4b5d4

Many thanks in advance.

 

[iantaylor]

I've never used pond solution's external filters i always use Eheim thats just me.
But i always use external filters i would go for the 2000 ltr as you could always turn the return valve down a little bit if it was to strong.

 

[Aquascaper]

Friends have one and their view is:

Pros - Large media capacity
Cons - Flow rate is nothing like stated when full of media

Unlike Eheim and Fluval externals, most other brands quote flow rate when the filter is empty so don't expect 2000lph when full of media. All in all, good filters at a good price.

 

[TRAGICTRAMP]

tetratec ex1200 would be my choice.

 

[saz326]

tetratec ex1200 would be my choice.

I have one of these on my Roma 200. Great easy to use filter. Worked wonders when my Fluval 200 was my amazon community tank - not quite so great now it is my Mbuna tank. Filter capacity for chemical filtration is more than enough when extra media were added, however that dropped the flow rate a bit so I had to add a powerhead to the tank to keep the fishies satisfied and remove slow water zones that kept accumulating debris.

What do you want to keep in your tank?

 

[RossC]

I have a 1000LPH allponsolutions on my 95 litre so you'd need to get a 2000LPH or higher for a nice flow rate. I have my fitted so it sprays diagonally across the tank and it works really well. I'd highly recommend the alpondsolutions if your on a budget

Here's my little review of it although I've changed the spray bars direction since.

 

[TRAGICTRAMP]

tetratec ex1200 would be my choice.

I have one of these on my Roma 200. Great easy to use filter. Worked wonders when my Fluval 200 was my amazon community tank - not quite so great now it is my Mbuna tank. Filter capacity for chemical filtration is more than enough when extra media were added, however that dropped the flow rate a bit so I had to add a powerhead to the tank to keep the fishies satisfied and remove slow water zones that kept accumulating debris.

What do you want to keep in your tank?

mines setup as a community tank, cribs, rainbows, and a load of loaches.

 

[Livewire88]

2 x tetratec ex1200 would be my choice.

I am running a EX1200 and EX700 on my Roma200 but would like to replace the EX700 with a second EX1200 in the near future.

 

[GavSuz]

i have the aps 1000ef+
good for on a budget - does what it says on the tin (box)

but as said the flow rate isn't the best

my tank is rio 180

 

[rolo0151]

Did you have to alter the lid in any way to accomodate the filter??

Cheers

2 x tetratec ex1200 would be my choice.

I am running a EX1200 and EX700 on my Roma200 but would like to replace the EX700 with a second EX1200 in the near future.

 

[Livewire88]

Did you have to alter the lid in any way to accomodate the filter??

Cheers

2 x tetratec ex1200 would be my choice.

I am running a EX1200 and EX700 on my Roma200 but would like to replace the EX700 with a second EX1200 in the near future.

Well you will have to either cut slots out of the plastic surround that sits on thr rim of the tank or cut holes in one of the plastic lids, it will be best to cut thecholes in the plastic surround when the tank is empty to stop any plastic bits falling in to the water.

 

[rolo0151]

Many thanks

Did you have to alter the lid in any way to accomodate the filter??

Cheers

2 x tetratec ex1200 would be my choice.

I am running a EX1200 and EX700 on my Roma200 but would like to replace the EX700 with a second EX1200 in the near future.

Well you will have to either cut slots out of the plastic surround that sits on thr rim of the tank or cut holes in one of the plastic lids, it will be best to cut thecholes in the plastic surround when the tank is empty to stop any plastic bits falling in to the water.

 

[Aquascaper]

I would go with cutting the lid rather than the surround, easier to replace and definitely nothing to do with the tanks integrity.

 

[Livewire88]

I would go with cutting the lid rather than the surround, easier to replace and definitely nothing to do with the tanks integrity.

The surround has sections that have been marked for cutting for filter pipes, I only discovered this after I cut holes in the lid. But would have preferred to have cut the surround as the filter pipes wouldn't be visible from the top.

Looks a bit crap from the top to be honest

 

[Aquascaper]

Fair enough, if there's marked areas for cutting whip out the tools