Hey guys, So the time has come to get a External Canister filter. I am stuck between getting a Tetratec EX1200 or a Eheim (don't know which one). So give your opinions on which you would choose with good reasoning (sorry "I like it more" will not pass ). The Tetratec is much more affordable, but the Eheim is probably better so I'm not sure what to do. Thanks guys, know you will help me (as indecisive as I am) to make the best choice
Yup....make mine Eheim... Tetratec has the annoying habit of where over time the O ring compresses and developes a leak....then good luck finding a spare...
O-rings are super easy to get. Define the cord diameter and the internal diameter and a material. I only ever had Eheim as an external. So that's not exactly a great answer. However I can add this, you pay peanuts, you get monkeys Good luck with the choice.
I have both and had a Hydor. They all great in their own regard. My best advice is to buy the best filter your budget allows you to. And look at the features that suite your maintenance schedule and set up. Don't just buy a canister cause everyone says so. What's best for YOUR application and does it provide room for a bit it growth ie next tank size larger if you feel you may want a larger tank in the near future his often will you clean it etc etc
That's cool. Then you need to think about stocking levels an do you want some bypass to keep your flow up in your tank or do you want zero bypass to keep super polished water( has its downside).. do you wanna run only one or maybe two so you have some a back up to fall on... also think of your layout and how that will affect flow. You might think 1000lph is enough but once grown in you get dead spots and that'll need to be looked at etc.. just food for thought.
Your question is like saying your stuck between choosing a mini and a Ferrari Dophin canisters work ok for the low end budget. Touch wood I've had no problems in 3 yrs. Never used a tetratec.
If it means saving up for a little longer - then so be it. Rather don't rush into some hardware that may not be ideal for you. Top advice from FreshFish. Budget and needs must be considered. I went with Eheim based on the tons of great reviews on its reliability. Unfortunately that does come at a price...
I've also planned to get canister for tank a while back but with two extra feet in the house my budget just doesn't get there anymore. I can just share what I've found out about the canister wich makes and size. The two "ferrarari's " of canisters is Eheim and Fluval but they come with price TAG. I'm not sure about the prices anymore but back then you could have bought at least 2 Dophin canisters for the price of one. You get what you pay for but have to decide what your budget lets you. Apparently the new range Tetratec the leaking problem has been resolved but everybody is alittle sketchy to buy one to found out. I have not read a bad comment on a SunSun canister but if I could remember they don't really make big canister so my trouble where that I need to get 2 to 3 units to filter my tank. But I can be wrong. There where a few other makes that the guys where happy about but it where makes I never really heard about. Then on the Dophin range there is a alot of good remarks on them, they the best value for money you spend. One guy commented that he has a FX5 Fluval that is a brilliant canister but he would rather get two C1600 Dophin canister where both is almost half the cost of the FX5 I'm planning to either get 2x c1600 or one c2400. The C2400 does great volumes water at a time but if you have two canisters running on one tank you always have a back up if the one has a brake down. The volume water they suggest as the overall performance isn't always 100% correct. They either run them with no filter media or a low tank ( water doesn't need to be pump that high). So the height of your tank and the type of filter media influences your flow. Therefore always over size your canister alittle to make sure you get the needed filter ratio to tank volume. I've tried before on a forum to find out what the ideal water flow ratio to a tank should be but got 10 different answers and the one guy just knows beter then the next. Some say slow flow to build up a biological filter in the canister other say at least 5 times your tank volume in a hour. But I would suggest try to circle your tank 3-4 times a hour and you should be safe. Then again it all depends what you got in your tank. Hoped it help and good luck with your canister
Sicce make excellent pumps. Their externals are supposed to be good. I did some research and the reviews weren't fully convincing, but also an option: http://www.ecamarine.co.za/index.php/shop#!/External-filters/c/2733062/offset=0&sort=normal
I have decided to get the Tetratec EX1200 for now. As much as I like the Eheims the budget just won't hold for it, setting up a completely new tank costs more than I expected . I can always get an supplementary canister if one is not enough, or upgrade to a Eheim later (when the budget has recovered). Thanks for all you comments, you have one again proven (though unjustified as the other party was unrepresented) that Eheim reigns supreme
I know you have already bought one but I just thought I should mention Aquael filters. Okay it is my first canister filter so I can't say if it's better than the others or worse but to me it is awesome. I have the unimax 250 on my 54Litre tank. Overkill? Maybe, but with adjustable flow it is great.
