External Filter For Rio 180

[Xraymark]

Anybody recommend a filter for a rio 180. Actual water is 150.

Eyeballing the tetra tec 1200 as alot of people seem to like but I wonder is it too powerful.

Also just finished cycling with the supplied internal. How best to get the new filter up to speed. Run in conjunction or swap media over? Maybe I should leave a few months before messing with a new filter to let media fully establish.

Cheers

 

[soybean]

I run the eheim 2215 alongside the internal because I wanted two on it, but if I removed the internal for any reason in the future I would probably go for a tetratec to replace it. I havent used one myself before but a friend has one (a smaller model than the 1200), it's pretty much silent and he can't fault it.

I would run the two in conjunction for a few months at least before removing the internal.

 

[OldMan47]

If the sponges from your internal will fit into the 1200, it can start out basically cycled by simply moving them over. A 1200 litre per hour filter is rather large for a 150litre tank but is within an acceptable range if your fish are strong swimmers. It would be totally inappropriate for something like a betta splendens that would just get blown around by the flow.

 

[soybean]

One thing to bear in mind if you have the new style cabinet with the shelf in the centre, it's quite narrow and some models I was eyeing up are a bit of a squeeze in the cupboards, which is why I went for the eheim in the end as it was a good fit. I can't fault that either btw, but if it was the only one I was running I'd have the 2217 at least.

 

[Xraymark]

Yeah I think i've read it's too big for the middle part of the cabinet. My tanks in a corner and can sit to the side and be obscured by a sofa. Can the flow be adjusted on the tetratec?Looking up the Eheim 2217. Flow is probably more appropriate for my tank.

 

[soybean]

The flow on the 2215 was super to start with but as the sponges have matured it has dropped a lot, which is to be expected. Not too much of a problem for me as I have the internal too, but I wouldve gone for the 2217 had I not been strapped for the extra dough at the time, I think this would've been better in the long run.

 

[jojouk]

It fits in the middle part of the new 180 cabinet, just, but fits.

I have a 1200 in my 180, and the flow is fine for my fishes. You can always add all 4 sections of the spray bar to reduce the flow?

 

[Xraymark]

It fits in the middle part of the new 180 cabinet, just, but fits.

I have a 1200 in my 180, and the flow is fine for my fishes. You can always add all 4 sections of the spray bar to reduce the flow?

And its a contender again. Thanks All.

 

[Xraymark]

Okay have bought a tetratec ex 1200. Removed the internal and moved the media into the tetra.
It's a brill filter. The water is alot clearer. Only problem is the flow is a touch strong. I prefer the flow along the length of the tank which means the spray bar is short. I can extend it a wee bit with the use of a saw on one of the extendables.
My other solution is to make the holes bigger in the spray bar. In my mind less hydrostatic pressure, less strength in flow. Does this sound right before I balls up my spray bar.