Filters

[kpris]

I plan on getting a 6ft tank soon and will need to buy another filter as the one it comes with does about 800L/h not nearly enough for an african cichlid set up. The tank is around 480L so i calculated i'd probably need something that does around 2000L/h?
I'm already pushing my budget a bit so i need some advice on what kinds of filters would be good without being too expensive.
What are the differences between getting internal and external filters? Are internal/external filters really loud? Which is better?
I have found an internal filter that was fairly cheap but would have to get two of, would that be a good idea?

 

[Ian H]

I would get an external (or maybe 2) for that tank. Whats your budget? the tetratec EX1200 are around £60?

 

[kpris]

Well i pretty much want to spend as little as reasonably possible. I'm a poor 2nd year uni student

What makes the "better" brands better than the others?

 

[Ian H]

Well if your on a budget generally any name you have heard of!!

generally ehiem are branded as the best. Although i have 2 aqua one CF1000 filters that i think are awesome and many people rate the tetratec EX range

 

[Scotty001]

I have a tetra ex700 & Aqua-vital cf800 (Aqua one) external filter, from my experience the tetra ex is a better filter simply through the cost, it holds more filter media, (5 trays to 3 trays) has an automatic priming feature (no sucking on the outlet pipe and getting a nice healthy mouthfull of tank water), the flow rate seems to be better and the design is a little better when it comes to maintenance (with respect to removing and replacing the ilet & Outlet hose and carrying the canister about)

Scott.

 

[SJ2K]

If your on a really tight uni budget you may want to re-concider the idea of a 6ft tropical tank, fish keeping isnt cheap and simply you get what you pay for the only budget externals ive heard good things about really is, as stated, the tetratec range, of which you'd need atleast 1 ex1200.