Internal Or External?

[fishy4eva]

any recommendations please..........

 

[DevUK]

If you can afford the extra few £'s I'd go with external! Your main contenders will be Eheim, Tetratec and Fluval. Now, a lot of people have had problems with Fluvals in the past, but some say the latest Fluvals (the x05 range) are pretty good.

Anyway, I have a Fluval 204 on one tank which I bought second hand, and has been working like a trooper since. No problems at all. I'd say I'm not overly keen on the tubing of the fluvals, I like the clear tubing you get on most other filter brands.

I also have a Tetratec EX700. This filter is great! I run it on a 47gal. Fantastic filter that comes with everything in the box (including media). They can be had quite cheap too if you shop around. This would be what I'd recommend.

I've only ever had 1 eheim, and this was a dodgy second hand one from eBay that was mis-described as "perfect" when infact it had been repaired etc. I never used it so I can't comment on how good it was. The main thing about Eheim filters though is that they guarantee spare parts available for 10 years from what I'm told. They are also a tried and trusted brand. You can get an Eheim classic for not too much and most people that have them say they are the best. Personally, from looking at the one I had, I didn't like the way the media was stacked, but as I say, I didn't actually get to use it.

Hope that helps

 

[Rooster]

I use an Eheim 2234 in my 4 footer... some folk say they are a cheap relative to the rest of teh Eheim range, but I've never had a single problem with it in nearly 2 years.

Always recommend an external in a "show" tank:
1. They are easier to maintain (less distubance to tank)
2. More room in the tank !
3. Better water circulation
4. Take LESS electricity than internal I was using (Fluval)
5. FAR more media than internals - better filtration

You can get an external for £30 but I would spend as much as you can afford... you wont be buying them often !

 

[SJ2K]

External or sump is always best I dont need to go into it as much as these guys because then id be repeating just adding my 2 cents as a recent keeper to switch from internal to eheim external.

 

[flash22]

The tetratec ex700 is great vfm very easy to maintain all i have had to replace so far is the fine floss filter on top (got the active carbon to change soon) and rinse the media in old tank water

 

[Squid]

I had an internal Juwel filter and was pretty unhappy with it. I changed it for an external eheim 2026 prof II, huuuge changes. Much clearer water, low maintenance and rock solid water stats even after doing a complete tank re-do of the substrate and plants.

But.. this is my only experience, so take it as you please

Squid

 

[shang hi]

what others have said, its realy down to your budget.
im running a Aquis 1250UV-C in my 47 gall tank but it costs £189...... its exelent though

 

[sid.sarah]

what others have said, its realy down to your budget.
im running a Aquis 1250UV-C in my 47 gall tank but it costs £189...... its exelent though

Can anyone tell me why my xternal filter was no good when i had osca's and chiclids and now i have tetras and plant in it its fine!!!!?
thanks

 

[xxBarneyxx]

what others have said, its realy down to your budget.
im running a Aquis 1250UV-C in my 47 gall tank but it costs £189...... its exelent though

Can anyone tell me why my xternal filter was no good when i had osca's and chiclids and now i have tetras and plant in it its fine!!!!?
thanks

Cant think of any reason why an external filter would not be any good? even an average external is better then some of the best internal filters (more media, easier to maintain, doesn't tank up tank space.

I have a bunch of internal filters sitting around but I only used these on tanks where it wasnt possible to put an external filter with it.

If you have the cash I would recommend one of the Eheim's with the heater built in. This then gets all of the equipment out of the tank and makes it look much nicer.

 

[ktricky]

i have a fluval 305 and it is very good not noisey at all and my tank is clear, even after i had a bit of cloud to begin with it was gone in an hour

 

[Tayful]

External cannister filters all the way! They are better and you won't have to waste extra money by upgrading later. Just my views on things