External Pumps

[watto]

i have a 125l juwel tank and i am thinking of changing the internal pump to a fluval 205 external will this be alot better or not for the fish?
or am i wasting my time and money

 

[rabbut]

Hi, and to TFF

With a Fluval external, you are wasting your money IMO. They are IME noisy, un-reliable and one of (if not the) hardest external filter to work available. With the exception of the FX5, I'd advise anybody to sear well clear of Fluval's externals. Despite their "quirks" though, some on here really like them...

For good external brands, look at Eheim (Not Ecco's or Thermo's though), Rena and Tetratec. An Eheim 2028, Rena XP2 or Tetratec EX1200 would be ideal for your tank. All of these are easy to work, are reliable and quiet The Rena's seals aren't easy to access for maintenance, but that's the Rena's only fault as far as I'm concerned... I'd happliy buy any of those three filters for one of my tanks if I were to set-up another freshwater tank, but you'd have to pay me a lot of money to run a Fluval external. It's a shame really, as Fluval's internals are the best you can get, but apparently they couldn't be bothered to put as much thought into their external range

All the best
rabbut

 

[waterdrop]

I've found rabbut's comments on filters to be pretty thoughful, even-handed and well documented and I happen to agree with his recommendations this time, so I second the picks mentioned.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[sjolliff]

1

 

[divegirl]

+1....Eheim all the way!!!! Nice and quiet and does a brilliant job!!!!

Lisa x

 

[watto]

+1....Eheim all the way!!!! Nice and quiet and does a brilliant job!!!!

Lisa x

thanks is there a good place to buy from on the web

 

[Truck]

id go with a tetratec to be honest...i find them easier to work on the eheims.

 

[nudzy]

I swapped my internal in my rio for an eheim external, and never looked back. Easy to maintain, keeps the tank crystal clear, and more room for the fish inside, as the internal is not taking up room.

I bought mine from charterhouse aquatics on line they gave me great service, and quick deliver, im sure there are plenty of good stockists out there though.

hope your happy with whatever you decide.

 

[AdAndrews]

I know this may sound stupid but i cant stand eheims green hoses and pipes! up to a point where i would look at a slightly more noisier filter just to get away from it... i have a tetratec ex600 atm and i find it soo easy to use, easy to prime and seems good quality, very little noise- i have mine 2 feet from my head at night!

Adam

 

[Truck]

aye, the priming is amazing on TT's two quick pushes on the button and its done within a few seconds

i know what you mean about the green hoses adam, horrible looking IMO

 

[AdAndrews]

aye, the priming is amazing on TT's two quick pushes on the button and its done within a few seconds

i know what you mean about the green hoses adam, horrible looking IMO

even for the back of a planted tank i find them impossible to hide!
to answer the question asked, i would get an tetratec ex1200.

thanks

 

[rabbut]

Charterhouse Aquatics is well recommended on here, but I haven't personally used them. Likewise Aquatics essentials. Personally, I use Ebay a lot for these things. It's about £2-5 more than on-line retailers due to the fees, but you can see the sellers history, recent and over time, to see what they are like and be sure before you buy. Also, you have more fall-backs for getting your money back with Ebay if the item does not arrive as described, or heaven forbid, it does not arrive at all...

All the best
Rabbut

 

[Truck]

CA get the thumbs up from me, i had a faulty filter and i rang them up in the morning and a replacement was with me the next day

 

[Harlequins]

I have a tetratec ex700,i think its fab

I bought mine from zooplus cost around £56,if you're new to the site you get 10% off plus free postage over £50 bargain

 

[watto]

Thanks for all the feedback been looking at a eheim ecco pro 200 any body have any experience of these or are they new?