External Filter To A Juwel Vision 180

[ClarkyBoy]

So, I'm thinking about setting up a external filter to my Juwel Vision 180 and I'm looking for some advice

The tank is a planted community tank with Danios, Cories, Dwarf Gourami, Neon Tetras and a Bolivaian Ram. The internal Juwel filter sits the "wrong" side of the display for its location and I'd like to change it for an external filter with inline heating.

The only constraint I have is that I want the filter to sit in the Juwel cabinet rather than to side due to an OCD obsessed other half and something she refers to as "neatness". Cost is not a major issue, anything less that £250 would be manageable.

All the research I've done basically says ignore the manufacturers recommendations on how big a tank the filters will cope with and go for the largest flow to achieve the maximum water change. This has left me a little confused and as I see it there are only a few filter manufacturers that would be appropriate:

Fluval - Seem to have a poor reputation for build quality and service but nice form factor for my cabinet.
Eheim - Top reputation for quality but higher cost. Size could be an issue.
Tetratec - Good quality reported for a fair price again sizes seem to be prohibitive.
APS - Low cost but flow rate claims are often questioned.

What I'm really asking for is anyone's experiences with these brands and wht they are like to live with, any recommendation for filter you guys know will fit in a Vision 180 cabinet or any correction / confirmation of my summation.

As usual I thank you for taking the time to read this and I appreciate your comments.

Cheers

Clarky

 

[Aquascaper]

Eheim all the way, you get what you pay for. Quiet, powerful, easy to maintain and parts are readily available.

Have an Eheim 2226 professional 2 which is now 9 years old (been used for 3 years though) and never had a problem.

It fits perfectly under my Juwel Trigon 190.

If I ever have to buy another it would be an Eheim wet/dry with inline heater no questions asked

 

[markandjanice]

i have a juwel vision 180 and 260 and use a tetratec ex1200 on both

 

[dbanner]

Definitely the tetratec ex1200. I have 2 running on a 5 door 450 litre and I can't fault them in any way. Iv had loads of fluval filters like the fx5 406 405 306 and 205, iv had an aquamanta and iv had an all pond solutions EF2000+ and overall I prefer the tetratecs. Quiet, powerful, nice looking, good built, excellent custumer service/after care and for £89 brand new and delivered its also a bargain.

My 450 filter tank was fine when I was only running a single ex1200 but the more filtration the better lol plus you could always buy a 300watt hydor external heater for £34 that runs alongside the ex1200 as iv done. Again a single 300watt external is plenty for my 450 litre so would be ideal for a vision180 (which iv had before)

This will then give you even more room in the tank for tge fish and less clutter, ideal for the OCD other half. I also have OCD so my tank has to look and run perfect to my standard. Plus external heaters means no risk of your fish burning themselves which my cichlids used to do. I know you can buy heaters guards but I find externals far better

i have a juwel vision 180 and 260 and use a tetratec ex1200 on both

 

[ian_m]

A JBL e1501 is the biggest external I could find that would fit in the Juwel Vision 180 cupboards and still have the door be able to close and/or not have to remove the door to fit in the cupboard. Thats what I have in mine.

Easy to take out, open door, disconnect quick release hosing and pull unit out.