Which External Filter For Juwel Rio 125

[storm45]

Hi i just wanted your thoughts on which external filter to buy for my Juwel Rio 125, my internal filter just isnt stong enough, the water is very murky and i want to buy an external ASAP. I was thinking either the Fluval 205 (for tanks up to 200L) or Fluval 305 (for tanks up to 300L)?

Another thought i had was i could just get the Fluval 405, and once my Cichlids grow bigger i can use the 405 with the new bigger tank i will buy, however, would the 405 be too much for my current juwel rio 125? Thanks in advance for any replies

 

[kevin82]

I got the Eheim 2213 Classic and would recommend it as a good value solution. There is better out there but for a far bit more money.

If you do look at this one, make sure you ge the plus pack with the media and the double taps included.

 

[Truck]

I wouldn't touch a Fluval external (bar the FX5) with a 10 foot barge pole, I would go for a tetratec ex 1200 on a rio 125, or an Eheim pro 2 2026.

 

[AdAndrews]

I wouldn't touch a Fluval external (bar the FX5) with a 10 foot barge pole, I would go for a tetratec ex 1200 on a rio 125, or an Eheim pro 2 2026.

+1 for the tetratec ex1200

 

[storm45]

hi thanks for the reply, do you find it easy to buy the filter media, i am from London and the only pet shop in my area is pets at home and they have all Fluval filter media. Do you just order online?

whats the performance like on the tetratec ex 1200, because i have 10 baby cichlids, but they really do make a mess

 

[Truck]

you don't need to replace the media until it physically falls apart which is years, and that is why I suspect your tank is murky, due to a bacterial bloom because there is no bacteria in the filter, because the media it was situated on is gone.

As long as you don't use floss or carbon then media lasts for up to 10 years, just make sure you give it a quick squeeze in old tank water every now and then.

 

[storm45]

wow i didnt know the media lasts that long, is this the same for the fluval filters? or just the tetratec ones

 

[Truck]

any filter that uses sponges or ceramics.

 

[storm45]

i just did some research on the tetratec ex 1200, it appears to be the largest filter in their range, would i not get away with getting the ex700? or stop being a cheapo and get the 1200? the power consumption is also nearly double...

 

[AdAndrews]

i just did some research on the tetratec ex 1200, it appears to be the largest filter in their range, would i not get away with getting the ex700? or stop being a cheapo and get the 1200? the power consumption is also nearly double...

the 2400 is the largest in the range, the 700 would be ok, depending on stocking.

 

[Truck]

The Ex2400 is the largest, but it's rare, I use an ex700 on my rio and I find it not enough, I have added a powerhead to help things out, if I had the choice again I would seriously use the Ex1200, the manufacturers always get recommendations wrong.

 

[storm45]

in the tank i have baby cichlids, 3 are 2.5 inches, 4 are about 1.7 inches, and 3 that are 1.2 inches, so 10 baby cichlids in total

 

[AdAndrews]

in the tank i have baby cichlids, 3 are 2.5 inches, 4 are about 1.7 inches, and 3 that are 1.2 inches, so 10 baby cichlids in total

cichlids are quite messy fish, and like truck said, he doesnt find the 700 enough, i run the 1200 on my 125litre and its just about right.

 

[Truck]

Definitely the Ex1200 with cichlids, they can be right messy gits!

 

[AdAndrews]

sorry truck lol, i'll leave it to you now