External Filters - Reviews,opinions, Recommendations Etc.

[Rickzayne]

The 405 has a flow restrictor if you felt that way or decided you wanted to have live plants later on..

 

[Miles_hot]

I have the eheim 2075 and have had no leaks + the lock off system means I don't have to re-prime when restarting the filter. I have a Hydor external heater which is great - no kit in the tank
I would tend to avoid the pro 3e as I think they have problems if there is an in line heater however of you're not interested in that they sound great.
HTH
Miles

 

[JMcQueen]

The 405 has a flow restrictor if you felt that way or decided you wanted to have live plants later on..

Ah right, thats better then. I do have live plants in the tank but only a few anubias attached to rocks and driftwood. Its mainly keeping the flow low enough not to blast the fish from one side of the tank to the other if they get caught in the stream.

 

[OBIE1]

The 405 has a flow restrictor if you felt that way or decided you wanted to have live plants later on..

Ah right, thats better then. I do have live plants in the tank but only a few anubias attached to rocks and driftwood. Its mainly keeping the flow low enough not to blast the fish from one side of the tank to the other if they get caught in the stream.

I've just brought a 405 for my 180 litre tank, £105 from www.seapets.co.uk

 

[raptorrex]

I must admit, I hadnt considered the Hydor. I was drawn to the Fluval due to using their internals and the fact that there tends to be a fair few on eBay for around £30. Eheim mainly because they have a generally good repuatation for producing good filters.

Whilst I agree you cant have too much filtration, you can have too much output. I was originally using a Fluval U4 internal but the output created too much of a current in the tank so I downsized to U3. Therefore I think a 405 would be too much.

what size tank was that in?

I run 2x 2224's on my 50g tank. flow is almost imperishable, with the spray bar/outlet, under the water. even plants (silk) show minimal movement. though it looks more with the outlet above or on the water level.

I doubt any, wild, fish would encounter a flow of less, than, the equivalent of, 4-5 x flow.

true my fish are,fairly, big. but the 3x filament barbs (all less thsn 3 inches) can both hang (stay stationary) and swim with no problems.

i just wonder if this is a, perception of, as opposed to actually having too much flow?

another question here. if you use the flow regulator, where does the extra flow (water) go? it does not effect the pump power or speed.

as that is the case. restriction would simply speed up the water, as the outlet is effectively made smaller but the underlying power/pressure would remain the same..

in theory using it will increase water speed, whilst keeping the amount moved the same. which would be counter productive, if flow 'seemed' to be too high.

this is basic physics, is it not?

 

[JMcQueen]

It was in a 120L. If the fish got caught in the output, they'd do well to recover before being blasted against the glass on the opposite side of the tank.

Also, those people with a Fluval 405, I dont suppose any of you know the foam pad dimensions? I want to see how it compares to the U3 internals that I'm using for reseeding a new filter.

 

[Rickzayne]

Nope sorry but there's 4

At a guess id say 3inch by 12

And as for the flow restrictor it blocks the inlet so less water gets in to blast out.

If it was in the outlet after the pump your theory would be correct.

 

[raptorrex]

.
And as for the flow restrictor it blocks the inlet so less water gets in to blast out.

If it was in the outlet after the pump your theory would be correct.

would it. though?
the filter is filled by the syphon. but it is pumped out. unless you slow the pump. the syphon would just get stronger. resulting in much the same flow. though if it is closed too much. the pump would be over run. decreasing the entry or venturi, simply increases water speed. now makers know this. so the restriction has limits (as the pump will over run/work). this makes the reduction, if any, fairly small.
i would avoid calling it a 'theory'. as its a basic principal, used in every water or liquid circulation system.
as i said "Basic Physics"
@JMcQUEEN. so its the water speed not water flow that is your problem. a spray bar, lowering you outlet or more careful outlet placement would fix that.