Equipment Review and Discussion :: First External Filter

[Weeven]

Buying my first external filter within the next few days and could use some advice, my tank is 30inchs x 12 x 14, making it around 100litres or 30US gallons I think.

Ive looked around and found two filters... hagen fluvial 405 and the tetraTec ex1200
http://www.aquatics-online.co.uk/catalogue/tetratec-ex-external-filters.asp
http://www.aquatics-online.co.uk/catalogue/fluval-external-filters.asp

I have seen the 405 is quite popular from looking at the the gallery of peoples tanks, however the tetra is cheaper and provides better water flow. Has anyone used this filter before? Also how loud are these things?

[Vtolds]

They both look good.Most people on here are love the Rena Filters especially the XP3. I have one and it is very easy to use they retail from 90 to 120 US dollars online.

[Weeven]

I was looking at the xp3, there was many topics about it although here in the UK the cheapest I can find is twice the price of the tetra filter

My tank is in my room, so will i get to sleep with the filter running or is it too loud? is it possible to run it during the day and turn it off at night?

[jenaero]

I have the fluval 404 running in my 125gal tank. I checked out the 405 and fx5 but the only real difference I saw was about $100 more on the sticker price. It runs fairly quiet, doesn't keep me up at night by any means. It's best to keep it running 24/7. You'd be surprised how quickly the water goes mucky after even an hour with no filter

[Weeven]

Thanks for the help, much appreciated

[Bascomb]

weene -- i have very good luck with the 405. they are quiet and easy to clean. you just have to pull up two levers on the top and out it comes. -- the volume of the 405 is great for a 30 gallons.