The Best External Filter.

[jonnyf84]

Whats the overall top external filter when it comes to price and effiency?

All opinions appreciated.

 

[Dave Ehl]

i've only had the rena filstar canisters. you can find them online very cheap and work really well.

 

[jonnyf84]

what about the media, is it easy to buy and replace?

 

[Dave Ehl]

it comes with the mechanical filtration (almost never need to replace, just needs rinsing) and i filled the other trays with bio media. with canisters its never necessary to buy their specific media because they have easy to load trays. only maintenence i do is rinse the mech sponges once a month.

 

[raptorrex]

Whats the overall top external filter when it comes to price and effiency?

All opinions appreciated.

Eheim classic! not any better than many, but will last as long as you do! but if you look you can get pro and pro11 for around £60

 

[spesh]

I've got both a Fluval 305 and an eheim 2028 and I far prefer the Eheim. Its much older but still ultra quiet and simple to use. The fluval is a pain in the butt to prime and doesnt tend to be as quiet.

One thing I will say for the fluval is I like the design of the initial filtration with the sponges, very efficient although it does require more attention than the eheim

 

[PRW1988]

By externals are we talking about HOB filters and canisters?? I've used fluval and rena as my canisters and I like Rena better, a Rena XP4 should work out as it does 275gallons, or if you wanna go big, get a Fluval FX5, it does up to 400gallons.

In regards to HOB filters, I'm a fan of aqua clear.

 

[flash22]

eheim i know thay can be pricey but you get what you pay for if you on a budget the tetratec ex range are good vfm

I run all ehiems 2x Pro2 2026 and a pro 2224 i prefer the pro 2 as its alot easier to prime

 

[rabbut]

Having used Rena, Fluval, Eheim and Tetratec before, and prefur the Tetratec's. Fluval have a reputation for leaking, and the old one I had gae out electric shocks when you placed your hands into the tank I found the Rena's seals to be unreliable, but otherwise good filters. My Eheim Ecco had two motor unit failures. First time it was eventually replaced by Eheim, second time I pressed for a refund. In the 6 months that I have had the Tetratec's the only fault I have had is the plug socket getting wet due to water spillage form a waterchange

Eheim are widely regarded as the best, but are pricy. I would not buy another Eheim after the Ecco, and the expirience with customer services. The Ecco range is the only one other than the Thermos that ever give users greif though. Get a classic or Pro2 and you shouldn't get issues.

On a budget Tetratec are considered best. With reasonable budgets, Eheim are best in most peoples opinions...

If value for money is a factor, I presonally vote for Tetratec.... They are however very new on the market, so as yet are un-proven.

HTH
Rabbut

 

[shelaghfishface]

tetratec, i have an ex1200 and the ex700- excellent filters, both of them

shelagh xxx

 

[england]

for me its fluval, ive been using them since i was 14years old, never had a problem, iam not 31 now
i have a fluval fx5,powerful,silent,so easy to maintain,price £116 from ebay,it is large mind

 

[raptorrex]

for me its fluval, ive been using them since i was 14years old, never had a problem, iam not 31 now
i have a fluval fx5,powerful,silent,so easy to maintain,price £116 from ebay,it is large mind

i take it you have had more than one in that time?