External Filter - Which One?

[bodruz]

Ok so I've got a 57 gallon or 259.57 litre tank and at the moment I've got a Fluval U4 filter. I believe that this isn't big enough for the tank so could you guys reccomend an external filter that costs under £80.

I was looking at the Fluval 305. What do you guys think of it?

 

[raptorrex]

Ok so I've got a 57 gallon or 259.57 litre tank and at the moment I've got a Fluval U4 filter. I believe that this isn't big enough for the tank so could you guys reccomend an external filter that costs under £80.

I was looking at the Fluval 305. What do you guys think of it?

i would be looking at an FX5, for your tank.

 

[Mr Melt]

Dont Eheim Classics work for anything upto 300ltrs?

The 2213 model only costs about £60 in most LFS.........

 

[StandbySetting]

I'd go for something capable of giving you at least 5-10x turn over, as already suggested the FX5 would be a good choice as would the Eheim pro 3 2080.

 

[bodruz]

How about a Fluval 405? Erm I just bought a 405 from eBay for £26. I think I should've taken a look on here before I bought it

If I ran the Fluval U4 and the 405 together would it be ok?

 

[Mr Melt]

I'm not sure; I've never mixed an internal and external filter together before (at least in the same tank!!).....

 

[StandbySetting]

I wouldn't buy a Fluval '05 personally, they're not very reliable from experience and having worked in an LFS they're one of the most commonly returned items, due to some form of seal failure just outside the warranty, even if proper maintenance was carried out.

 

[raptorrex]

Dont Eheim Classics work for anything upto 300ltrs?

The 2213 model only costs about £60 in most LFS.........

I'm sure they are sold for tanks that size. but is 1x turnover any good to anybody? err, NO.

 

[Gvilleguy]

My Fluval 205 is 12 months in now.....hope I don't develop the seal problem mentioned earlier! So far it has been great.

 

[CrazyAirborne]

look at All Pond Solutions. Seem to be decent filters for the money(or lack there of). Im happy with my APS EF1000+. in my 50g

 

[raptorrex]

look at All Pond Solutions. Seem to be decent filters for the money(or lack there of). Im happy with my APS EF1000+. in my 50g

I hear good and bad about these. some sing their praises, some complain of shoddy production and weak parts. if you get a good one, they are as good as any filter. however if you don't, you get cheap rubbish.and the UV option is a waste of time, and electric. lol.

 

[CrazyAirborne]

look at All Pond Solutions. Seem to be decent filters for the money(or lack there of). Im happy with my APS EF1000+. in my 50g

I hear good and bad about these. some sing their praises, some complain of shoddy production and weak parts. if you get a good one, they are as good as any filter. however if you don't, you get cheap rubbish.and the UV option is a waste of time, and electric. lol.

im one to sing praises. given i dont own any other brand external filters, nor have i used expensive external Ehiems, my APS does everything i need it to do, and the construction feels about as good as i expect a cheaper one to feel i dont feel like im going to break it any time soon tho.

 

[raptorrex]

look at All Pond Solutions. Seem to be decent filters for the money(or lack there of). Im happy with my APS EF1000+. in my 50g

I hear good and bad about these. some sing their praises, some complain of shoddy production and weak parts. if you get a good one, they are as good as any filter. however if you don't, you get cheap rubbish.and the UV option is a waste of time, and electric. lol.

im one to sing praises. given i dont own any other brand external filters, nor have i used expensive external Ehiems, my APS does everything i need it to do, and the construction feels about as good as i expect a cheaper one to feel i dont feel like im going to break it any time soon tho.

i know several people with your experience! production and QC seem patchy. a search of this forum will find a few with the opposite experience from you.

 

[bodruz]

Ok so I've picked up the 405 and got it working in the tank. I have put all the foam pads and biomax from my old filter in to the new one and everything seems rosy.... one question though; the 405 came with a lot of lava rock the previous guy was using in the filter, It's currently taking up three of the containers and I've got the biomax in the fourth. Is lava rock any good? is there anything else that you guys would recommend that works better than lava rock?

A quick search on google isn't really answering any questions, a lot of differing views but not many negative ones.

 

[holidayinn]

405 sounds a good choice for the size tank...run the internal and the external at the same time is also a good look.