Is The Tetra Ex70 A Good Filter?

[watertown28]

What the topic title says. I am looking for a filter for my 50 gallon which is not set up yet. Im just waiting on a filter.

With that said, with so many options, The only good store that is close by has this in stock. This is not much more expensive than maybe a marineland type filter,which I would need to order online...once shipping is factored in.... and the media for the tetra I can get at the local walmart here if needed.

I like to support my local fish store if possible, this guy knows a little about fish, his tanks are always clean and free of dead fish. He also will order a fish for me if needed, and hold it for a week to make sure I do not get a sick/dead one.

 

[soybean]

I imagine as a filter it would be fine, whether or not it would be powerful enough for a 50 gallon is another matter.

 

[watertown28]

I imagine as a filter it would be fine, whether or not it would be powerful enough for a 50 gallon is another matter.

well it says that it does 340gph.... and I thought the rule of thumb was 4xgallons... so if that is the case, that should more or less be good overkill. I guess I am just checking on quality of the filter

 

[Juggler75]

Flow rate sounds ok, however how much media does it hold? Eg I have a really small internal that says 450 litres per hour but as its about the size of 2 packs of cigarettes then its nowhere near suitable for a 20g tank even though the flow would be 4x if figures are to be believed. personally I'd be looking for a filter that held at least 4 litres of media for a tank that size other wise you might find maintenance a pain in the...

Edit. Just had a look on amazon and although it gets mixed reviews it is half price so I would get one to try it - I wouldn't use the media though but customize it so I could use my own sponges and bio media

 

[watertown28]

Flow rate sounds ok, however how much media does it hold? Eg I have a really small internal that says 450 litres per hour but as its about the size of 2 packs of cigarettes then its nowhere near suitable for a 20g tank even though the flow would be 4x if figures are to be believed. personally I'd be looking for a filter that held at least 4 litres of media for a tank that size other wise you might find maintenance a pain in the...

Edit. Just had a look on amazon and although it gets mixed reviews it is half price so I would get one to try it - I wouldn't use the media though but customize it so I could use my own sponges and bio media

okay and now the question for that would be how would I do that?

Also, looking at the reviews it seems like the biggest complaint is the noise level form the unit. Personally, I dont mind a bit of noise. I am the same with with computer hardware... I am more than willing to take a bit of noise as long as it preforms if it is cheaper.

 

[Juggler75]

From looking at the filter it sucks water into a central chamber then exits out to a chamber on each side that contain the cartidges then back to the tank.
Instead of using the cartiges I would cut a sponge to fit in the back of each of the side chambers then a layer of bio media and then finally a finer sponge at the front of each of the ext chambers. That way you'd be able to rinse the media (sponges and bio media) in the old water when you do the water change rather than buying new cartidges and risk a new cycle.

 

[BigbruiserAl]

They dont make any noise apart from a low hum of the head, dont bother with the ex700 just get the ex1200 and use the green taps, the media supplied is huge amount no need to customise or buy more. I have 4 ex1200 in my front room and dont hear a thing with the cabinet doors closed

 

[minnnt]

+1 for the 1200.

Also, there would be no need to turn it down, 50 gallon is quite big.

I'm running a 1200 on a 88 litre tank.

 

[Juggler75]

Think the OP was on about the ex 70 hob lads. No stopping team tetrarec though is there

 

[BigbruiserAl]

Think the OP was on about the ex 70 hob lads. No stopping team tetrarec though is there

Nice spot mate, i thought the op forgot a 0 on the end lol had to goole the Tetra Ex70 i can see how that can be noisey lol

 

[minnnt]

Maybe we should just be known as team tetratec - external division.

No idea or experience with hobs.

 

[watertown28]

Well I got the filter running on the 50 gallon right now. Its really not noisy. My Marineland 400 is much louder than the Ex70 atm. SO we shall see how it is a few weeks from now.