External filter recommendations

[SEANY PT]

Hi all, me again,

I know alot of people love their exernal filters and I have been looking into some but where do I start.

My tank is 60 x 30 x 40 (72ltr empty) but I want to over filter heavily due to it being a pea puffer tank (messy high protein foods) but I also need to keep flow relatively low as they dont do well in high flow situations. I want heavy filtration just not a whirlpool.

Current filtration is a AquaEl ASAP 300 (300 LPH) and dual air filter 60.

Am I right in thinking of changing or should I just stick to what I have? am I just overcomplicating everything by trying to fix what isnt broken.

[Andys temperate tank]

I can only recommend what I'm using seany mate.

I have an oase filtrosmart 100 running my 60p. 600lph and its a nice simple filter.

If your feeling extra flush have a look at the oase biomaster 250.

[BigBen]

I like the Fluval 207/307 etc. I've also had and would recommend the tetratec ex range. Can't go far wrong with Oase or Eheim neither. I wouldn't recommend Maidenhead Aquatics' aquamanta range, I think it's noisy compared to others similarly priced.

[Drifty]

If you want a cheap one... AQUARIUM EXTERNAL FILTER EF-150 400 L/H the downside is to prime it you need to fill the filter and then fill the inlet tube as well otherwise it wont get it self going.
The other thing I done on mine also is I replace the bio balls with bio media taken out around 10 balls and put in a whole bag of bio media... I get pretty clear water.

[MasonJ19]

2nd the fluval 207 or whichever generation of that size. Currently have one filtering my 80litre figure 8 tank and it does the job nicely with good flow.

[Si4geckos]

I'd go with a fluval. Tried all pond solutions/ cheaper models, but the build quality and reliability was pants. Fluval have been great. Had a few now and all good. This you'll want a 206/207 for your size tank. The 306 may be too powerful/ too much flow.

[Stephen]

I will usually recommend Eheim external filters but other makes are also good.
As you want to over-filter then maybe an external filter with an advertised flow-rate of 700L/h which will give you 10x turnover (over-filtered), anything more will be like a washing machine.
The external filters listed below will certainly do the job.
Fluval 207
Tetra EX 700/800
JBL CristalProfi e702 greenline
AquaManta EFX200 (Maidenhead Aquatics)
Eheim eXperience 250
Eheim Pro4 250
Oase BioMaster 250

The pea puffer or dwarf puffer (Carinotetraodon travancoricus) in nature inhabits very still waters, so keeping water movement to a minimum is actually more ideal.
A heavily planted aquarium is good as is subdued lighting if you want to see them active and not hiding away.
Floating plants are good in subduing the lighting and keeping nitrates at minimum as the plants will take up nutrients.
Keep the tank water temperature at around 24/25C as a long-term temperature.

Am I right in thinking of changing or should I just stick to what I have? am I just overcomplicating everything by trying to fix what isn't broken.

Probably. I would actually recommend leaving the filtration as it is.

All the best

[SEANY PT]

I was looking at the Fluval 207, just got to measure up space in the cabinet that the tank sits on to see if it will fit.

Cheers once again for the help everyone