Aps External 2000Lph Or Tetratec Ex1200 ?

[balajake]

From experience, which one should i go for ?

The APS 2000 lph ( price would be £59ish with code)

tetratec ex1200 ( price £78 with code)

my tank is 350 litres and im currently running 2 1200 lph internal aps filters ( 1 bio and one filter pads) my old external cracked and these two were bought as an emergency to get me through. Money is tight but my water isnt crystal clear as i'd like and is foggy, even after water changes nothing changes. i have bogwood which could be a factor but its getting me down and the internal bio is absolutely massive and takes up a big chunk of the tank. y other internal is really thin so i plan to keep it as a back up.

i'm scared of buying either and being disapointed. i want really clear, clean water, thats all

Advice please.


my old external was a load of rubish and was a nightmare to get the lid off, it was a hailea and it put me off externals abit.

 

[ZoddyZod]

TetraTec

APS externals have been tested by several forum members and it doesn't give anywhere need the flow it states.

also, the 'foggyness' in your water is unlikely due to the quality of the filter. It could be for several reasons. Got any pictures?

Could just be that you dont have any fine mechanical media in your filter. Have you tried using filter floss for a while to see if it clears?

 

[balajake]

TetraTec

APS externals have been tested by several forum members and it doesn't give anywhere need the flow it states.

also, the 'foggyness' in your water is unlikely due to the quality of the filter. It could be for several reasons. Got any pictures?

Could just be that you dont have any fine mechanical media in your filter. Have you tried using filter floss for a while to see if it clears?

I don't have any fine floss. makes sense really when i think about it

im edging towards the ex1200 and its a big price but i've seen it a hell of alot dearer. i just want to know its an utterly amazing filter and i wont be disapointed

 

[minnnt]

Its an utterly amazing filter and you won't be dissapointed.

Filter floss and purigen will sort you cloudy water out.

 

[balajake]

thanks. is it easy to take the lid off to get to the media ?


my last external was awful. took 30 minutes just to prise the lid off and the pipes were alway blocked up with fish poo. it needed cleaning every 2/3 weeks. easiet thing to do was run very hot water through the pipes whilst massaging them to remove the poop. i suppose you get that with all piping though

 

[minnnt]

About 5 seconds...

 

[balajake]

thanks

 

[balajake]

have added floss to both my filters and it looks loads better

 

[minnnt]

Now treat yourself to some Purigen and you will be laughing.

 

[balajake]

I Have seen a rena xp4 for about £98 new. can anyone who has this filter give advise. as good as the tetratec ex1200 ? better ? i need people who have had both to stear me right. its a good price i think for a new one. the ex1200 would be £78 new.

 

[minnnt]

I believe Rena filters are pretty good? Alot of people seem to rate them. No first hand experience though.

 

[balajake]

I believe Rena filters are pretty good? Alot of people seem to rate them. No first hand experience though.

i'm taking my time on this one it's a toughy

 

[minnnt]

You can buy alot of stuff with the £20 you would save. I doubt you would see much difference anyway.

 

[balajake]

You can buy alot of stuff with the £20 you would save. I doubt you would see much difference anyway.

i suppose the extra flow rate is giving me a dilemma because i hope to have upgraded to a 6x2 by the end of the year. i don't know enough about filters to choose one over the other. the flow rate should be enough of an indication but its not always that simple with different brands, one might just be better even if the flow stated is less.

sorry, im a pain in the rear lol

 

[minnnt]

IF the upgrade to a 6x2 is a definate then save your money and put it towards an FX5 or a Eheim 2080 imo.