External Filter

[mhancock]

Hi,
 
I'd like to get an external filter for a 84 litre tank, and was going to get an APS unit as I've had one on my larger tank which works very well, but looking on ebay there are some slightly cheaper alternatives:
 
1 Has anyone on here any experience of Jeboa units
2 Would anyone recommend going for a used Fluval system rather than a new APS?
 
Thanks,
 
 
 
Mark

 

[Byron]

I can't comment on the named filters, but I would ask a question.  What sort of fish do you intend, and will any live plants be included?  Filtration has a much greater impact on the aquarium and its inhabitants beyond mere filtering of the water through media; the flow is sometimes very important to fish (and less so to plants but still significant).  Your 84 litre (22 gallon) could easily be filtered adequately with a sponge filter, depending upon the aforementioned.
 
Byron.

 

[mhancock]

Hi Byron,
 
Yes lots of plants, and mostly tetras and guppies in the tank.  It has a sponge filter at the moment but it seems to get blocked very easily!  Lots of plants, I have soil with gravel on top so the plants grow really well.
 
 
M

 

[guppiegirlie]

I have the fluval 305 on my tank (rio 180 but did have it on my 90l before upgrading tanks) I use a sectioned spray bar which diverts the flow in whichever direction I turn it to, also you can adjust the pressure of the flow with the fluval, as I'm sure you can on any other.

I can only really comment on the fluval as it's the only external I've had and used all my other tanks have had internal ones. I must say I prefer the external filters as its less stuff in the tank and more space for the fish

 

[mhancock]

Thank you!
 
Has anyone on here tried a Jeboa filter?
 
 
M

 

[Byron]

Hi Byron,
 
Yes lots of plants, and mostly tetras and guppies in the tank.  It has a sponge filter at the moment but it seems to get blocked very easily!  Lots of plants, I have soil with gravel on top so the plants grow really well.
 
 
M

 
I assume by blocked you mean plants growing against the sponge(s).  Sponge filters are probably the best for the fish mentioned, with plants.  But one ideal filter for a tank this size is the Mini Eheim.  I bought one of these a few weeks ago for my 3-foot 30g and am very impressed.  It is very small, and attaches to a back corner with suction cups.  It has a sponge filter (two little foam blocks), and a motor head.  I have mine aimed down the tank along the rear wall close to the surface.  This tank has quiet water fish (dwarf rasbora species, pygmy sparkling gourami, etc) and this filter works very well.
 
I used to have a slightly larger Eheim otherwise much the same, but they don't make them any longer.  As that filter has run fine since 1995, but recently began to fall apart, I was overjoyed to find the new Mini Eheim.  It is rated for up to a 30 litre tank, nano type, but that means nothing as it provides the flow you want.
 
Byron.

 

[guppiegirlie]

^^^ you cannot get better than an eheim anything for your tank, my dad runs an eheim on his it's brilliant and they last forever!

I use the eheim pipework on my fluval, aa Byron said the sponge intake I use on mine and the sectioned spray bar is also eheim. It also has a pressure gauge so you can see if the pressure in your filter has dropped and in need of fresh polishing pads or just a general clean.

 

[mhancock]

Thanks for the replies, I'll investigate used Eheim,
 
 
M

 

[Liam50]

you cannot beat external filtration. eheim make external filters but you'll break the bank in comparison to an aps or jeboa. aps, i believe are very hit or miss from what i've read; but that's chinese manufacturing for you. 
 
pretty sure the eheims are made in germany and hence the price difference.  

 

[Bubbelzzz]

Although this is a old topic. I would recommend eHeim or JBL. Used them both and are both very good filters which should last for a very long time. eHeim is well known for it's high quality filters and they will be able to last for many years. Yes, they are more expensive, but that's the case for most high quality brand. I've had a small internal eHeim filter which lasted 10 years (in comperison to my external tetra, which was a total loss after 1,5 years). Currently I'm owning JBL. Which is,after 3 years now, for me also a good product.
 
So in short, I would only recommend the more expensive brands. So far, eHeim and JBL gave good results for me.