Which External Filter Should I Buy ?

[lee_essex]

Hi there, in the past i have used under gravel filter only, so i dont really know much about external filters.

i was think about something like this > http/www.leicesteraquatics.com/catalog/p...products_id/593

didnt really want to spend £50 if i can, so if anyone could suggest anything a little bit cheaper, but if not ill go with it.


Also, i was going to have sand in the bottom, is this the easyist thing to grow plants in ?

1 more thing, with the external filter, you dont need an extra pump do you ?


Thanks guys.

Lee

 

[Scotty001]

Hi there, in the past i have used under gravel filter only, so i dont really know much about external filters.

i was think about something like this > [URL="http/www.leicesteraquatics.com/catalog/p...products_id/593"]http/www.leicesteraquatics.com/catalog/p...products_id/593[/URL]

didnt really want to spend £50 if i can, so if anyone could suggest anything a little bit cheaper, but if not ill go with it.


Also, i was going to have sand in the bottom, is this the easyist thing to grow plants in ?

1 more thing, with the external filter, you dont need an extra pump do you ?


Thanks guys.

Lee

hi lee, regarding the filter your looking at it depends on the size tank that you have.

Eheim are a good reputable make of filter !!! and the one your looking at is rated for tanks up to 200L , I would also recommend looking at the tetra tech ex700, this is what i use and is also a v good filter also rated or 200L ! it has a self primer so you don't need to suck up and nasty tank water to prime the filter, it has a quick release tap connector so there is no fiddly hose connections to deal with all the time for maintenance and also comes with the media.

I'm not 100% on the Eheim filter your looking at but don't think it has the self primer and doesn't look to have the quick release taps.
The site you have posted doesn't say that the filter comes with the media so do look into that as that may be an extra cost. other places will include the media so do look about !!!

I got my filter with the media delivered for £35 / £40 from zooplus.com, if you go to the website and then also google discount codes for zooplus you will find a code that should also let you get the tetra tech ex700 for the same price. the only difference with this tetra tech ex700 and the ones you buy in your lfs is zooplus ships it direct from Germany (i had mine in 3 days) and it has a 2 in plug, instead of a UK 3pin, you can either cut the 2pin off and connect a uk 3pin or buy a European to uk adaptor for £2. either way both Eheim and Tetra tech brands are well respected in the fish keeping hobby for filters.

Almost EVERY external filter has its own built in pumps so there is no extra pump head to buy. both the Eheim and the tetra tech have there pump built in and are v good !!!! i would recommend either of these two brands but would favour the tetra tech mainly because i have used it and like the priming device and the quick release taps that make maintenance so much easier, but cant comment too much on ease of use for the Eheim as never had one bu heard good things about them.

I use sand in all of my tanks and i have no probs growing any plants in it and don't have a special substrate under the sand for them. if your going to go the sand route have a look at Argos, either local store or online, and search for play sand, it is totally safe to use as many n here will confirm and cost £2.49 for 15KG, if you get the same amount of sand from a LFS your looking at £20 + because it has "For Aquarium use" on the bag.

Hope this helps a little and I'm sure others who have experience with the Eheim will come along soon.

 

[lee_essex]

Thanks Scotty001, that was alot of very useful info.

My tank size is 106L.

You say it comes with a 'self primer' What does this mean ?

Could i use the 600 instead of the 700 or would the 700 give me better results ?


Thanks

 

[TheConstantGrower]

The only thing it DOES NOT do... is make my breakfast for me and do my laundry... thank god for the misses.


But in all seriousness, this pump / filter is amazing, its silent. will handle up to 350L (approx 91 us gallons)

Its a little bit more expensive then what your looking at. but seriously a GREAT investment.

 

[rabbut]

I have used four filter brands to date. Ehiem, supposed to be the best in the hobby, but TGH I wasn't too impressed with them as both my origional unit and replacement were constantly developing faults. This is apparently rather rare, but I won't be buying one again
Tetratec I have had now for just over 24hours, so can't comment on their long-term use, but so far I am very impressed They have obviously put a great deal of though into their system. It is the first filter that I have come accross with a pumping self primer that acctualy works All media included and delivered to your door, the largest model in their range cost me £69.99, with a full 3 year warrenty You can't go wrang with these. The 600 model starts form about £35 and the 700 form about £45ish
Rena are another good brand with reliability shown, but compaired to the Tetratec they are glamorised buckets with a poer head on top. Untill the Tetratec they were my favorite brand overall, but they will be out of your budget
Fluval are another good brand IMO, but the other members on here don't like them. Mine worked well untill its recent failure of the motor head, hence the new Tetratec filter. Some users report leaks occuring in the new 05 range while still in warrently, not good , and the warrenty lenght on these happens to be far less than the Tetratecs

All in all, I'd personaly recomend Tetratec ATM, but I haven't yer ran them long-term so my opinion on them may change over the comming months I did however purchase this filter becouse it is ery good value for money relative to the competitors, and there is endless positive feedback in the hardware section from their long-term users. I have every faith that this is a good make of filter

HTH some
Rabbut

EDIT to add; self primers start the syphon into the filter to fill it with water ready for use. The alternative is to suck on the end of a pipe to get the syphon going. OK for a new system, but after it has been run for a while, it becomes less plesant.

 

[lee_essex]

Cool, thanks guys. think im going to get the Tetratec then.

question is, 600 or 700 ?

EX 600 for 60 - 120 L

EX 700 for 100 - 250 L


my tank is 106L, so the obvious choice would be the 600, but would the 700 work better in anyway?


Ta

 

[TheConstantGrower]

Just remember

Under filtering = dead fish
Over filtering = .... Cleaner water?

you may also find you want to get a new and larger tank, and perhaps better to just make the leap and get the bigger one now so you dont have to get another one later

 

[OldMan47]

Lee, given the choice of two filters that overlap in the tank size you have, I will always go larger. It won't be at all stretched if you overstock slightly and will give enough flow whether you end up with fish that need more flow or not as much. If you choose to go the smaller one, you may find it is not quite enough as the filter starts to get some dirt in it. Then where are you?

 

[Scotty001]

Cool, thanks guys. think im going to get the Tetratec then.

question is, 600 or 700 ?

EX 600 for 60 - 120 L

EX 700 for 100 - 250 L


my tank is 106L, so the obvious choice would be the 600, but would the 700 work better in anyway?


Ta

Id get the 700 mainly because it will cycle your tank 6+ times an hour which is GOOD !!!!! i the flow rate is too strong you can turn it down too so 700 is the better choice.

to prime a filter u need to fill the canister of tank water by drawing the water through the inlet and outlet pipe so the are full of water this normally meant connecting the filter all up putting the inlet pipe into the water and sucking on the outlet pipe while the filter was running to get the water circulating, this meant at any unknown time your going to get a good mouthful of tan water and it will keep on flowing so u then need to put the outlet pipe into the water and connect the spray bar.

Self priming means you connect everything up pit all pipes in the water and press the self primer a few times and it does the sucking job so u don't get a mouth full of tank water and discover how the "Gag reflex works" lol

 

[rabbut]

I'll second the 700 option. Manufactures recomendations are usualy a tad optimistic Overfiltering cuts down on how often you need to clean the filter(s), and will also reduce the length of time required to remoe polutants from the water. Also, the 700 contains more media so it would in theory filter more efficiently.

Also, overfiltering cuts down on expence should you upgrade, always a plus

All the best
Rabbut