Oase biomaster mark 2 thermo filter

[Country joe]

Hi,
I'm going to buy the new Oase biomaster mark 2 thermo filter, I have a 200 litre aquarium that is well stocked, I was going to go for the 350, but I've been looking at the stats, which read.
Biomaster 250 for tanks up to 250 litres and the 350 for tanks up to 350 litres.
Which one would you go for, I have mainly Tetras,Harlequin Rasboras, ottos and corys and one Bolivian Ram.

 

[GaryE]

I've never seen that brand, and just took a long look at their website. It appears to be an excellent design in some aspects - sturdy and well made. It has some flaws from looking at it - integrated heaters are nice, but heaters don't last nearly as long as good filters do, by many years. If only their heater fits, there's no guarantee they'll stick with these models in years to come. Even if it works well, they'll have to make changes to satisfy buyers and make it necessary for the unit to be replaced.

As well,carbon infused sponges are totally unneeded, but will you be able to replace them with clean sponges? Good sponges should be good for an easy 10-15 years, but the addition of unnecessary carbon makes these sponges short lived. They aren't cheap, and every replacement hits your biofiltation.

It's an expensive filter that has some built in marketing flaws. They aren't huge ones though.

The Biomaster 250 looks good. I don't know which tetras you have, but harlequins and Mikrogeophagus like a quiet tank, and ottos, and Corys like more water movement. I like to overfilter with the fish I have, but I'd look at price and probably consider the slower unit. They look durable and well made onscreen.

 

[Country joe]

Gary I don't use carbon, I will use sponges on the bottom tray the rest will be established ceramics, and the top tray which is a finer sponge I will put in the bottom tray, I might use the top tray for floss. I don't know if you watch you tube videos but I like pimp my filter.I have 8 neon tetras and 12 rummy nose tetras