What Size Filter?

[hobbz]

can somebody please tell me what size filter i need for my 300L tropical tank?? i want an external filter and have seen a serafil900 on offer but dont know if this will do the job???

 

[Truck]

tetratec 1200, eheim pro 2 2026/8

 

[raptorrex]

tetratec 1200, eheim pro 2 2026/8

and, not or, will do the job. neither is up to it on its own.

 

[rabbut]

This is a rare occasion where I agree with Boboboy on a filtration issue... A Tetratec EX1200 will cope with bio-filtration alone on a 300l, but mechanical fitration will be dissapointing, and cleaning will be regular. Likewise with the smaller Eheim Pro2's...

You either want a pair of Eheim 2028's, a pair of Tetratec EX1200's, a Tetratec EX1200 and a Eheim 2028, or possibly a pair of Rena XP3's, or Rena + Tetratec or Rena + Eheim....

Alternatively, you could have any one of the above, and use a large internal packed with floss for mechanical filtration...

The serafil900 looks like a cheap rip-off of a Fluval to me. I cannot find any spec sheets on it, but I'll assume the 900 refurs to the stated output of the filter. It that's the case, you will need 3-4 to do the job of a pair of TT's, Rena's or Eheim's... Sera are a German company that seem to do a lot of budget stuff, so the quality of that filter may not be there, but this is the first time that I have ever looked at their exturnal filter range, I have no direct experience or any real knowlage of them TBH... They are a bit of an "obscure" brand in the UK ATM, appart from a few planted tank products and food samples that you occasionally see, but you rarely see any real food packs from them or non-plant related products...

All the best
Rabbut

 

[raptorrex]

the FX5 is, well, worth a look!

 

[rabbut]

See, this is where we start to dissagree Fluval's rep and my experience with them and all... While not every user has issues with Fluvals, a lot do. The FX5 has proven reliable thus far, but it is still relatively new to the market. I personally wouldn't, but take a look and see what you think

 

[hobbz]

thanks for your help everyone x x

 

[raptorrex]

See, this is where we start to dissagree Fluval's rep and my experience with them and all... While not every user has issues with Fluvals, a lot do. The FX5 has proven reliable thus far, but it is still relatively new to the market. I personally wouldn't, but take a look and see what you think

humm, over two years old and no problems reported. i think it has proved its reliability. anyway i said "worth a look" not go and buy it.

 

[rabbut]

See, this is where we start to dissagree Fluval's rep and my experience with them and all... While not every user has issues with Fluvals, a lot do. The FX5 has proven reliable thus far, but it is still relatively new to the market. I personally wouldn't, but take a look and see what you think

humm, over two years old and no problems reported. i think it has proved its reliability. anyway i said "worth a look" not go and buy it.

Usualy, Fluvals start to drop like flies after they get to 3-4years. I've seen a few comments about dodgy motors. This was (or at least appears to be) a dodgy batch, and it does happen occasionally, but 2 years on the market IMO does not make the proven for reliability When they are getting towards 10+, then mebe we can say reliable

This said, for the cost of the Fluval compaired to the equivelant Eheim, you shouldn't realy mind if it does go after 3-4 years, as it almost a "disposable" filter at that price... It would still be a false economy, most ehems that have been arround long enough, push past 15years without major issues, the Classics have been arround without issue for 30... IME, Fluvals can't stand up to this length of time, or at least the 04's, and the 05's are getting tired after what must just be over 3...

All the best
Rabbut

 

[onebto]

Here we go again