Tetratec 1200 Vs Fluval Fx5

[arobinson1984]

I will be using 2 filters... would 2 EX 2400 be too much for a 5ft tank and would there be a big differents between running 2 EX 1200 than 2 EX 2400

I dont really think you can consider less than 2x "2400's" (and i would suggest that as a, minimum). from tests, it seems, the FX5 will pump more than 2x the flow of a 2400.

How can this be?

The stated flow rates for each of the filters are as follows:

Fx5 - 2300LPH
Ex2400 - 2400LPH

Surely if tests proved the fx5 has 2x the flow rate of the ex2400 then tetratec would be guilty of gross false advertising?

Are you sure you are not getting the ex1200 mixed up with the ex2400?


Andy

 

[kaivalagi]

I think the 2300 for the FX5 is actual with media, the ex2400 is rated based on the pumping capability I think, but when media is added the flow rate will drop. Eheims are the most accurate for there working flow rates I think...

But yes I think you maybe right, the actual rate for a ex2400 would not be less than 1150lph....maybe it should have been ex1200 not ex2400...

 

[arobinson1984]

Thats what I thought kaivalagi,

as far as Im aware its only eheim that state an 'actual' flow rate whereas other manufacturers state a 'capable' flow rate.

Not saying them eheims are going to match what they state but they are the closest I've found


Andy

 

[raptorrex]

Thats what I thought kaivalagi,

as far as Im aware its only eheim that state an 'actual' flow rate whereas other manufacturers state a 'capable' flow rate.

Not saying them eheims are going to match what they state but they are the closest I've found


Andy

As, kaivalagi's post, underlined my comments. I'm confused how you agree with him, yet, find problems with my views.

for the record.
the FX5 flows, roughly (media dependent) 1750lph
the Pro 2080, roughly, (with a full set of recommended media) 1400lph. test done on another forum.

the EX2400, from my own measurements, flows 1100lph. and thats with clean media. flow drops, even, more after use. the same is true of the top two. but reduction seems slower.

makers state flow rates with, no media (or minimum media) often with no furniture fitted. there are two exceptions. Eheim and Aqua One. they test with full media, and furniture. they also both give a "pump" flow and "filter" output, figures.
as a result. its wise to divide the "claimed" flow rates,of the first group, by 2. 50-60% of claim is the best you get. even the Eheim and Aqua One, flow 20-30% less than claimed.

a year or so back. i polled all the maker/distributors on how the determine the flow rates of their filters. a forum search will dig it up, i'm sure. as i posted the reply's here.

 

[kaivalagi]

Wow, interesting drop in flow from the stated, 2400 down to 1100 is a serious drop!

All good to know, thanks raptorrex!

 

[aqua monster]

Hi people, Went to my LFS today to try and get a deal on 2 FX5 and he told me 2 FX5's would be too much for a 5ft juwel vision tank....so i come away empty handed again

 

[raptorrex]

Hi people, Went to my LFS today to try and get a deal on 2 FX5 and he told me 2 FX5's would be too much for a 5ft juwel vision tank....so i come away empty handed again

they are wrong! simples. however some, may not want that sort of flow. but its way off being TOO much. on a 450l it works out to, 7x flow (that's with clean media) incidentally, many look to 5x flow as a minimum.

@kaivalagi. not a big drop, just an "unrealistic" claim, by tetra in the first place. however its not too hard to understand. think of a pipe. fill it with water, check how much it holds. now, think of the same pipe, filled with gravel, then water. if you measure the amount of water again, is it realistic to assume there will be the same amount of water in that pipe? the 1200 tetra only manages 500lph (ish). so i guess you could say they are consistent, if, unrealistic.

lol, i sometimes think you young ones need to realise shops and makers lie, they even get training to do it(???). even Ron-seal's "it does what it says on the tin". is only, partially, true.

 

[OldMan47]

As Raptorrex said, many will advise you that 5x is a minimum flow on a fish only tank. I take a bit different approach. I look at the biological media volume that I can fill in a filter. If it is the same on a 200 gph and a 500 gph filter, I rate them as equal. Biological filtration is the key to keeping healthy fish. The biomedia volume is the key parameter in choosing a filter and is seldom quoted by manufacturers or by web sites.
Everything else about a filter is more about aesthetics than about fish health. Flow rates can definitely affect the ability of a filter to remove suspended solids from the water column. I consider that factor not very important. I am more than willing to remove solids by doing a good gravel vac now and then instead of relying on my filter to do it. I am probably one of the old school fish keepers who experienced fish keeping when there was no such thing as a filter offering as much as 1x filtration. That means that I learned to deal with low filter flow rates and never became addicted to the high rates many consider essential these days. Good tank maintenance practices are all that is needed to take care of a tank with very low flow rates as long as the filter has adequate biomedia volume. Please examine your needs in terms of filter volumes. Although larger filters often also have flow rates, it is not the flow rate that makes a filter a good choice, it is the seldom quoted media volume.