External filtration for ACFs

[Gemma]

Thanks both of you for the advice. I'm glad you mentioned Eheims because before I saw these replies I decided that I'm either going to get a Fluval 306 or an Eheim Classic 2215, but I'm torn between the two. I did want an Eheim 2217 but they're about £40 more expensive and I've got loads of other things I want to buy for the tank as well. I think these should be OK though even if I do decide to remove the internal filter in the future and use the external filter alone. The Fluval claims to filter up to 300 litre tanks and the Eheim says it filters up to 350 litres, so if these figures are accurate then it should be OK, hopefully.

Well... see that's my problem with Fluvals, they're a bit cheaply made

From reading people say this elsewhere as well, this is one thing that worries me about Fluvals. The good thing is that spare parts are cheaper for Fluvals, but I suppose they're less likely to be needed for the better quality Eheim so that might be irrelevant! Apparently the tubes for Fluvals are ribbed so they're a bit harder to clean. I've read that Eheims are quieter - it's important that it's quiet because it's going in my bedroom. It will be in a cabinet under the tank though. On the website that I'm looking at, they do both come with all filter media and pipes. The Eheim says it filters tanks up to 350 litres and the Fluval says it filters 300 litres. The Fluval is cheaper (they're supposed to be the same price but I can get a 10% discount on the Fluval), it's got a higher flow rate and it's got 3 year warranty (the Eheim is 2 years). I wish I could try them both and send back my least favourite. I'm completely torn, but I want to order it before this weekend. I definitely won't be going for a cheap Chinese knock off, don't worry

I can't find any second hand in my area either. I saw an unused Eheim 2217 on ebay a few weeks ago for £40, but I wasn't looking for one at the time. Typical!

Thanks again for the helpful replies.

[deranged chipmunk]

I've had both eheim and fluvial. never had problems with either. the downside to the fluval is their hoses and their intake and outputs are HUGE!! the hose is no biggie, you can always replace it with vinyl tubing and custom output and intakes can be made cheaply out of PVC. the eheim I didn't really like, but they did the job. self priming doesn't exist, as was stated above. I just feel they are over priced and over rated. personally, I prefer fluvial canisters. I have used them for a long,LONG time without any problems. I've used their nano filters all the way up to the fx5. quietest filters I have owned actually. oh, and I have never had a fluval leak. eheims have leaked on me.

[Jenste]

I have two Fluval 405s, a few Fluval U3s, U2s and a U4 and a U1 - - I love Fluvals. I use both external and internal filters and I would never switch to another brand.

[Gemma]

I've had both eheim and fluvial. never had problems with either. the downside to the fluval is their hoses and their intake and outputs are HUGE!! the hose is no biggie, you can always replace it with vinyl tubing and custom output and intakes can be made cheaply out of PVC. the eheim I didn't really like, but they did the job. self priming doesn't exist, as was stated above. I just feel they are over priced and over rated. personally, I prefer fluvial canisters. I have used them for a long,LONG time without any problems. I've used their nano filters all the way up to the fx5. quietest filters I have owned actually. oh, and I have never had a fluval leak. eheims have leaked on me.

Thanks for your reply, Bill! I'm really swaying towards the Fluval now. Like Michael said, both sound like they get the job done pretty well. I don't think I'll regret my decision either way since I won't have the other filter to compare it to, so it probably makes more sense to go for the one that's cheaper and has the longest warranty, which is the Fluval.

Edit: Thanks for your input too, Jen! I hadn't seen your post when I wrote this. Sounds like Fluval is the way to go

[deranged chipmunk]

np i'm not sure if they are available in your locale, but another good option is the rena filstar series of filters. although, i am not sure about their quality now that they were taken over by API. then of course, there's always a d.i.y. canister