New Tetratec Vs Not So New Fluval

[ShinySideUp]

I have had a Fluval 305 in my 240 litre for about six months and while it's been ok it has not been the quietest of filters and there has always been a slight rattle from the impeller that dies away quite a lot if I leave the motor to get a bit algaefied (my new word of the day). Recently though it has taken to getting really quite rattly to the point where I'm thinking of replacing the impeller at £16 a throw for something that's only six months old, hmmm.

Now to the new Tetratec ex700 I have bought for my 120 litre tank. Just filled the tank tonight and started up the filter; noise, what noise. This filter is utterly, utterly silent. All I can hear is the water moving through the pipes!

Now this filter is brand new so I can't vouch for how long it will stay silent but it already has a head start on the Fluval.

Since a new Tetratec ex1200 for my larger tank would cost about ninety quid, less the cost of the impeller for the Fluval, I can get a quiet, oh-so-quiet filter for effectively £74. Should I do this? Did I just have a flaky impeller on the Fluval from the start? Are Tetratecs generally quieter and do they stay that way?

The downside is that I will no longer be able to use the Fluval pipes which go through the bottom of the tank so no unsightly pipes coming out of the tank unless there is some sort of adapter system.

Also just noticed that if I do require a new impeller for the Tetratec, it is half the price of the Fluval. Are there any downsides to TT filters, I haven't found any so far?

 

[minnnt]

IF you need a new impeller for the TT (which you won't) then TT will send you one fos free. And my 305 is like an aeroplane too. Lol. I have a thick blanket wrapped around mine just to quieten it down.

Also, you will be fine to use the pipework, that's how mine is set up on my Vicenza. I even run the fluval hoses. They fit like a dream.

 

[ShinySideUp]

IF you need a new impeller for the TT (which you won't) then TT will send you one fos free. And my 305 is like an aeroplane too. Lol. I have a thick blanket wrapped around mine just to quieten it down.

Also, you will be fine to use the pipework, that's how mine is set up on my Vicenza. I even run the fluval hoses. They fit like a dream.

Good to know, thanks.

 

[markandjanice]

IF you need a new impeller for the TT (which you won't) then TT will send you one fos free. And my 305 is like an aeroplane too. Lol. I have a thick blanket wrapped around mine just to quieten it down.

Also, you will be fine to use the pipework, that's how mine is set up on my Vicenza. I even run the fluval hoses. They fit like a dream.

Good to know, thanks.

im new to this "fish keeping thingy" and ive been asking lots of questions on another forum also and reading. i was looking at getting the fluval 405 and someone told me "no, no ... get the tetratec ex 1200" and a number of people agreed also. they said they are really quiet and very good, i found it on ebay brand new for £89 delivered in comparison to the fluval 405 which was roughly £80 but i believe that is because there is a new 406 out? could be wrong. im waiting for it to arrive as i will be setting up a new system soon

 

[minnnt]

I think the 405 would win in the flow stakes... but the TT would win in the quality and durability stakes. Not to mention a bullet proof customer service team.

 

[MBOU]

^^ I second that! Fluval externals are generally like Ford Fiesta cars, cheap to buy (haha) but cost you ten times the initial cost in parts when it keeps going wrong. Dont learn the hard way and buy a filter that wont pack in!

Saying that... the '06 range of Fluval filters are actually very good, they have fixed all their ongoing problems of constantly breaknig impellers and well covers and pipes and tap connectors and ... and ... and ... so on... however they really lack on the media capacity and being so new, no one really knows how well the filters will hold up yet!

 

[ShinySideUp]

^^ I second that! Fluval externals are generally like Ford Fiesta cars, cheap to buy (haha) but cost you ten times the initial cost in parts when it keeps going wrong. Dont learn the hard way and buy a filter that wont pack in!

Mind you they aren't that cheap either. Just looked on one site and the Fluval 306 is £101 and the equivalent Tetratec, the EX1200, is only £92.

 

[minnnt]

Yeah i don't think they're initially that cheap.

I LOVE my 305, mainly because it fits in my Juwel Rio cupboard as it is oblong in shape. The flow is good and the way the baskets are designed makes it easy to stock little bags of different filter media without it not sitting flat etc. BUT... The quality just simply isn't there. The way it fastens always makes me nervous that it won't have sealed properly, it's just too flimsy. The hoses are also ribbed, so they must be full of gunge which will narrow them a fair bit i reckon. Plus, the new pipework (that goes in the tank) is white!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The 1200 is like having a tank in your cupboard.

 

[markandjanice]

i just took delivery of the ex1200, so many people pushed me this way, quiet and works perfectly with the hydor inline heater. riggin it up on satday, can't wait i looked into the fluvals but read that few people sayin they quite noisey?!

it'll be more than enough as my tank is only 140litres, but when i go BIGGER it'll be a doddle

 

[minnnt]

Congratulations!

The inline heaters knock abit of flow off, but a worthy addition none the less.

When you go bigger, don't go bigger with the filter, just get another 1200. The 2400 is a dog.

 

[markandjanice]

Congratulations!

The inline heaters knock abit of flow off, but a worthy addition none the less.

When you go bigger, don't go bigger with the filter, just get another 1200. The 2400 is a dog.

i'm alllllllllllll over that minnt