Best + Quietest External Filter

[Curiosity101]

So I'm in the market for an external.
I've currently got a 125l tank and was looking at the fluval 205.

However I'm willing to pay as much as is necessary for exactly what I want.

I want....
Something with very good filtration
Very reliable (no leaks etc)
Super Quiet as it may not be in a cupboard
and easy use.

I've got a feeling I may be steered toward an Eheim, but please bear in mind it MUST be very quiet.

Thanks

 

[DJ ArKaDaRkA]

So I'm in the market for an external.
I've currently got a 125l tank and was looking at the fluval 205.

However I'm willing to pay as much as is necessary for exactly what I want.

I want....
Something with very good filtration
Very reliable (no leaks etc)
Super Quiet as it may not be in a cupboard
and easy use.

I've got a feeling I may be steered toward an Eheim, but please bear in mind it MUST be very quiet.

Thanks

ive got a eheim 2213 that runs on the otherside of my room at its almost silent ive only had it about 2 months but its faultless

 

[RadaR]

The 2213 is too small in my opinion for 125litre tank.
My vote goes towards the TetraTec EX700.

 

[DJ ArKaDaRkA]

The 2213 is too small in my opinion for 125litre tank.
My vote goes towards the TetraTec EX700.

yeah i only half read it

 

[Tolak]

Eheim. Decades of proven reliability with the Classics. Dead quiet. 2217 if you like the Classics 2026 if you want more bells & whistles.

With the Classics, Pro's & Pro II's you actually have to put your hand on them to know if they are running. Submerge the spray bar & you won't hear a thing. I used to run a 2026 when I had a 65 gallon in the living room, it had to be dead silent or family members would have my head. This is the only filter I would trust with cream carpeting. I'm about to get that filter & tank running this weekend in the basement.

 

[DJ ArKaDaRkA]

yeah im well pleased with mine

 

[rabbut]

If ease of use is a nessecity, an Eheim Classic isn't for you. They can be a royal pain to work. If reliability is essential, IME, Fluvals do not shape up. I'd get either

Eheim Pro2 2026

or

Tetratec EX700/1200

Depending on budget Personally, I would go with a Tetratec, they are the only brand I've bought with more than once, and I now run three of them

All the best
Rabbut

 

[Curiosity101]

I can always learn to use/faff with whatever filter I buy.

Noise and reliability are the most important factors for definite.
And anything you would trust with a cream carpet...it's gotta say something for build quality.

 

[rabbut]

Trusting a filter to a marine tank is also saying something for build-quality also. Have you need the mess of any carpet that salt-water makes if it drys on? It's especially worse on a dark carpet... A marine system is where the thrid filter of mine from Tetratec is now running

If you can deal with messing about with the fitler, an Eheim Classic remains in the running

All the best
Rabbut

 

[ROSSCO22]

I have a Tetratec in my bedroom and you cant hear it running.

 

[dave_oddballs]

i use the fluval 305 on my roma 125 that came with my roma 240 and works very well indeed, can't really hear it without listening closely, unlike the bloody air pump! i got mine with the 240 but you can get them for around 60 quid so very good in that respect too!

David

 

[always4lora]

i use the fluval 305 on my roma 125 that came with my roma 240 and works very well indeed, can't really hear it without listening closely, unlike the bloody air pump! i got mine with the 240 but you can get them for around 60 quid so very good in that respect too!

David

ive got the 305 as well its a decent filter, easy to maintain and a good water turn over. cheap as well

 

[saltynay]

So I'm in the market for an external.
I've currently got a 125l tank and was looking at the fluval 205.

However I'm willing to pay as much as is necessary for exactly what I want.

I want....
Something with very good filtration
Very reliable (no leaks etc)
Super Quiet as it may not be in a cupboard
and easy use.

Your searching for the holy grail of filters then my vote goes eheim 2026

 

[rabbut]

It's clear that Fluval owners haven't had other brands of filter when they say they are easy to work. Relative to some things, yes they are easy, but if you compair to other exturnals, they are one of the worst to work. Lets look at the priming procedure of each (I have had both these brands) of Fluval and Tetratec set-up

Tetratec

Cut hoses to length
Plumb up and check the taps are open
Press the prime button once
Make and drink a cup of tea while it fills
Plug it in
Done

Fluval

Cut hoses to length
Plump up and check the aquastop is open
Give yourself an arm ache pumping the self priming leaver that invariably does not work after the first few times, then when you realise that is not going to work...
Remove the outlet pipe from the back of the tank, positioning it over a bucket below the tank
Suck the outlet pipe
Wait for a bucket of water to syphen through before closing the aquastop
Re-position the outlet
Plug in
When the impeller jams, kick it right on the MSF badge to try and free it. If it does not work, kick it again, harder. If it does not work this time, swear a bit, empty the canister and go back to step 3...
When you get the airlock, pick it up and shake like crazy...
Now you are hopefully are done and can go get that well deserved up of tea...



Just for good measure, just in case Tetratec are rediculesly easy to work...Priming a Rena

Cut hoses to length
Plumb up and check the quick release leaver is up
Fill inlet pipe with water, via the funnel, before re-seating the cap onto the inlet pipe-set
Press the quick release leaver down
Make and drink a cup of tea while it fills
Plug in
Done

A tad more drown out than a Tetratec, but still easy relative to the Fluval

All the best
Rabbut

 

[Curiosity101]

Are the TetraTecs as quiet as the Eheim's though?

If so then I'd definitely rather buy the Ex 700...thought about the 1200, and I know more is better. But it seems a bit silly only a 125l tank when the Ex 700 does up to 200l.

Any comments?