External Filter

[LardyDad]

I was wondering if I could use an external filter on my tank. The size of my tank is only 63 litres. I currently have an Interpet PF2 but it looks a bit big and bulky in the tank.
If i could go for an external filter what would you suggest?

 

[irvs]

i did what you were thinking. my tank is the same volume and i ditched the internal filter for an external one. id never go internal again as the tank is clutter free and looks better. i have a tetretec ex600 filter which all i can do is prase. the tank sits no more than 5feet from my bed and its completely silent. also i went for the 600 version as its rated to 100l (i think) and i wanted to "over filter" the tank just to be on the safe side.

im sure others will cherp in with their recomendations.

neil.

 

[rabbut]

Yes, there are many external filters that will work on a tank that size;

Tetratec EX600, my personal perferance. Easy to work, reliable and quiet

Rena XP1. Solid, reliable when well maintained, easy-ish to work, accessing the seal for maintenance isn't the easiest task, but otherwise a great filter

Eheim 2026. Solid, quiet and reliable. Widely considered the best, but you have to put up the £££ for it...

Eheim classic 2213. Quiet and reliable, trickier than most to work though, with no self-primer

Personally, I'd avoid Fluvals, as IME they are noisy, un-reliable and more tricky than most to work on... AquaOne I'd also avoid, as while relable, quiet and easy to work, they no longer supply replacement parts, so when something need replacing, it's new filter time

All the best
Rabbut

 

[LardyDad]

Thanks for the responses, as anyone heard of these

"Cascade 500 Canister Filter by Penn Plax. "

 

[rabbut]

Yup. Apparently a high-bypass, cheap and cheerful filters. Most who buy them take them back for a refund and hence long-term reliability isn't known, they are usually noisy. Their saving grace though is they seam easy to work on... They are a brand I won't be touching with a 10ft wooden barge pole any time soon. This said, I have no direct experience with that brand

All the best
Rabbut

 

[kiriyama]

Check out www.zooplus.co.uk
Good deals on Tetratec and Eheim.
Purchased Tetratec EX700 and I have to check its switched on because its so quiet.

 

[waterdrop]

I'd say EX600 or XP1, the Eheim 2026 is a much bigger filter. Tetratec is easier to find in the UK, Rena easier to find in the US but we don't know where you are LD, you haven't entered your location in your avatar area.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[discus_lover]

eheim canister filter will be one of the best...i use it...

 

[mini_matt]

i have a tetratec600 too that im not using atm as not sure if its too big for my tank? dont mean to hijac just someone said about using it on a 60l

 

[three-fingers]

Go for it, it would be great on a 50l.

More flow rate the better, especially when you have a spraybar (as the ex600 comes with) so that the flow is evenly spread out .

 

[mini_matt]

awesome i will do that then, i was just researching and cant find the recomended way to swap to that filter, do i take the media out of my internals and put tht in the external filter? if so where ie which layer so i can grow my bacteria? cheers for the quick reply

 

[waterdrop]

Yes, you never want to lose any of your hard-won bacteria! I don't know your filter by heart but you want to know the water flow direction (usually depicted in the user manual and usually bottom to top in most cannister filters) and then you ideally want to try to situate the mature (old) media right before the new biomedia in the flow path, with the two sets of media touching or even cut up and intermingled. If both are "loose" media (like ceramic gravels or rings) its easy, if they are sponges then they may need some cutting with scissors or other creative work. Of course don't let the media dry out and keep it wet with tank water, not tap water.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[mini_matt]

its just sponges but i have two small internal filters so just bung them in with the sponge? tetratec iv got has the big hoola-hoop type bits at the bottom then sponges thhen what looks abit like coral but i know it isnt just looks like then a white cloth bit on top so my mature sponges in with the sponge or bottom with the hula-hoops or the coral looking bits?

 

[OldMan47]

If there is room, without blocking the flow, I would try to put them in with the sponges. Next choice, if you still have some left over, would be in with the ceramic media (the coral looking stuff).

 

[mini_matt]

you guys are awesome! thankyou i will change filters over tomorow