External cannister filter

[Mossyboy]

Hi all,

This is just a little bit of info for anyone interested in buying or replacing their external cannister filter.

I have been running a Tetra EX800 PLUS in a 105 ltr aquarium for approx 5 years.

While the filter works great at filtering the water the motor/pump head has a serious problem with leaks.

I am currently on my fourth motor (including the one first supplied with the filter) and the first three have all had the same leak problem. Looking on Youtube there are videos of others trying to fix the same leak point.

This problem really lets down what should be a good filter, bearing in mind a replacement head costs £66 and they appear to fail approx every one year.

I have now reached my limit of suffering leaks with this product and when this one starts leaking (as it will) I will move to another make. If anyone can recommend a reliable equivalent product it would be welcomed.

I have not posted this as a complaint as such but just to let people know what problems they might face if the decide to go with this product.
Regards to all.

[Unalome]

I'm running an Oase BioMaster Thermo 350. No complaints.

[fr499y]

Eheim, Oase, Fluval are all good filters worth buying.

[Stephen]

I ran an Eheim Pro4 250 when I had a 120L aquarium. I love my Eheim Pro4 external filters.

[Martinspuddle]

I have been running a Tetra EX800 PLUS in a 105 ltr aquarium for approx 5 years.

While the filter works great at filtering the water the motor/pump head has a serious problem with leaks.

Funny enough, years ago I had a TetraTec EX1200 and the pesky thing always leaked!

Get an Eheim, won't regret it.

[Staffylover]

My preference is for Fluval, reliable, very good flow, and don't clog up too easily, no pre filter is supplied although no doubt you could fit one if you wanted, one of the 07 series for that size tank 207 probably would be enough,
Eheim are a good filter but I prefer Fluval for the better flow rate, also find it easier to re start the Fluvals after cleaning, Eheim has a lower power consumption though,
People also seem to rate Oase filters, I have just bought a real mini size one but not set it up yet.
Some filters you can get in a thermo version to also take a heater, I have never wanted to do this so it's not a consideration for me.

[FishBubs]

That is interesting Staffy! i do like the fluval filters myself probably because they are the ones i have researched into more and used. however, i was talking to someone about Oase thermo filters and i have been wondering since about the difference between the two. i just cant seem to find any justification to prove oase is better than fluval yet (other than the convenience of a prefilter) . but i suppose it is down to opinion (so any are gratefully received).

[VikingMummy2015]

I love my Oase because of the easy to clean prefilter. I do find it hard to do regular maintenance on the big filter (any big filter…it’s a psychological thing) but I can feel a little bit better because I can manage the prefilter at every water change. I also like having a clean tank with no hardware on show, so the heater in it works well for me too.

[FishBubs]

Cheers VikingMummy. Do you find there is plenty housing for biomedia?

[VikingMummy2015]

Cheers VikingMummy. Do you find there is plenty housing for biomedia?

Tons. I am over filtered as I have the 600 on my 240L tank. But I have all the filter media from the previous Fluval 407 plus two further compartments filled with sponge and I have spare media in there for emergency use if needed (eg if someone local needed to seed a tank or if I had a second tank to set up in a hurry).