Keep The 205 Or Get A U4

[wrighty.uk.gorl]

Hi all i currently have a 4ft tank and it holds approx 170lts off water.

I currently have the fluval 205 running on it but thats 680lph max and for a 200lt tank max, And i am finding it does not make enough water movment and that it does seem to be finidng it hard to filter the tank 110%

I am looking at the fluval U4 at the moment as i dont want to go external again i know i going to get slaited for saying this but i think they are overpriced , underpowered bins. Now the U4 has 1000lph max and have every thing built in and the price is great as found it for £35 delivered.

So the question is really would you keep the fluval 205 or get the Fluval U4 ? Please dont say get both

 

[kizno1]

I always aim for atleast 10X turn over per hour so you want a filter that does about 1700lph. the fluval 205 and a fluval 305 would give you 1680lph which should be enough.

 

[wrighty.uk.gorl]

I always aim for atleast 10X turn over per hour so you want a filter that does about 1700lph. the fluval 205 and a fluval 305 would give you 1680lph which should be enough.

10x turn over in my tank would be mentle and not pratical for the fish as i currently have as i said the 205 and a borrowed internal filter moving about 480lph and that is to much in my tank it like gale force 9 in there.

I also said i DONT WANT ANOTHER EXTERNAL as i think they are over priced and underpowered bins.

 

[seffieuk]

I'm also currently looking for a new filter for my granddaughters 180 litre tank - i'm interested in your comment about externals, I was about to buy an external, so can you expand on why you are not buying an external please?

Seffie x

 

[wrighty.uk.gorl]

I'm also currently looking for a new filter for my granddaughters 180 litre tank - i'm interested in your comment about externals, I was about to buy an external, so can you expand on why you are not buying an external please?

Seffie x

It is not they are a bad filter dont get me wrong the Fluval 205 is great external. My problem with them is they are just over priced and underpowered. Sticking to rrp here not what you can buy them for. Why on earth would i buy a 205 for over £100 when it LPH flow rate is 680 max when i could buy 2 fluval u4's for a extra £5 and have 2000lph water flow through max.

The only real reason i could think to buy a external is that is more customisable but even that is not strickly true on the u4.

Alot off my problem with the external filters is they are just overpriced for what they can really do. It not they are a bad filter.

 

[seffieuk]

Thanks for your answer

Seffie x

 

[kizno1]

They are on the expensive side but then you save alot of water by not having a big filter in the tank you also get more water volume in the external filter and you also have alot more filter media then you would in a internal unless you wanted it to take up a huge block of the tank. If you have the money i would go for external over internal every time.

 

[wrighty.uk.gorl]

They are on the expensive side but then you save alot of water by not having a big filter in the tank you also get more water volume in the external filter and you also have alot more filter media then you would in a internal unless you wanted it to take up a huge block of the tank. If you have the money i would go for external over internal every time.

The u4 is not that large though and can see what you are saying about the water in the external filter. but being realistic on the 205 what we talking 3 liters 4 at a push ?

Would would your answer be though bassed on performace for money ?

not what you would buy because you like better or taken up space etc etc

 

[kizno1]

It may only be small but its still extra water which always helps. The main point is that theres alot more media.
I think my fluval was well worth the money and i would choose that over any internal for my tank.

 

[wrighty.uk.gorl]

It may only be small but its still extra water which always helps. The main point is that theres alot more media.
I think my fluval was well worth the money and i would choose that over any internal for my tank.

Only 2 more filter sponges from 205 to u4.

Thanks for your remarks though But i do beleive you trying to convince your self and me off the price difference not looking at the fuller Pro's and con's

 

[kizno1]

There may only be 2 more but there alot bigger. It has to 30cm long sponges.
Im not trying to convince you its up to you im just saying what i think.

 

[Twinklecaz]

I always get the impression externals are easier to maintain?

I'd consider one one day (when I have a tank big enough to warrant it) but not until I can find a silent one.

 

[kaivalagi]

£50 (RRP) for an all pond solutions 1000lph external isn't expensive though, got one on my 125L and I think it's very good for the money. You can only get them from the suppliers own site

In my opinion plus points for an external over an internal are:

• Easier maintenance
• No tank space taken up
• Option to use external heater and uv sterilizers
• Holds far more media so bigger bacteria colonies are supported
• Media trays mean you can use a variety of media, you wont be stuck with expensive brand name stuff made to fit

Cheers

 

[wrighty.uk.gorl]

£50 (RRP) for an all pond solutions 1000lph external isn't expensive though, got one on my 125L and I think it's very good for the money. You can only get them from the suppliers own site

In my opinion plus points for an external over an internal are:

• Easier maintenance
• No tank space taken up
• Option to use external heater and uv sterilizers
• Holds far more media so bigger bacteria colonies are supported
• Media trays mean you can use a variety of media, you wont be stuck with expensive brand name stuff made to fit

Cheers

Cheers that was the kinda answer i was looking for

 

[kaivalagi]

No probs

I'd say if you can pay another tenner and get the 1400lph one, it comes with a uv sterilizer too (not sure how good though).

One other thing, although most filters claim a certain turn over, in reality it is lower than stated once the canister is filled with media