External filter Size

[george29]

Hi All

Been reading the above Sticky etc, just not sure which size Fluval External filter I should get for my 55ltr cube which has a rim height of 1.2 mts.

The Fluval 106 is rated at 550 lph so meets the x10 through put, but assume thats when the pump is on a level with the tank rather than on the base of the cabinet.

Would the Fluval 206 at 780 lph be the better choice or is that way too powerful ?

Edit - having just read about the leaking issues on the Fluvals think the Eheim might be better though the same question -
The Ecco Pro 130 has the target x 10 flow of 500 lph but the Pro 200 is 600 lph and a lot more media space.

thanks

 

[ian_m]

The x10 rule is for actual "on the box" tank size and the actual "on the box" filter size. So the Fluval 106 meets this requirements fine.

The x10 rule is to allow a generous margin of filter performance degradation due to dirty filter media. JBL state their JBL e702 @ "on the box" value of 700litres/hour but deep in the user manual is actually only 350-400litres/hour once filled with clean filter media.

If you get a bigger filter, there are advantages, in that less filter cleaning may be needed and some filters you can turn down the output if flow is too great. However might move up to next piping size ie from nice discrete 16mm tubing to the bigger 22mm tubing which might look out of proportion in a smaller tank.

but assume thats when the pump is on a level with the tank rather than on the base of the cabinet.

The location of the filter doesn't significantly affect the flow rate, provided the inlet and outlet are at the same height. There will be some loss due to increased pipe length. A lot of filters have a minimum height requirement, anyway, usually they have to be located 20-50cm below the surface of the tank water.

 

[george29]

Thanks, decided to go for the Eheim Ecco Pro partly as its lower wattage and so hopefully less 'motor' noise and rather concerned about the leaking problem in these square shaped Fluvals, seems some also leak for the base as well as the O ring.

 

[Oldguy]

Personally I use the Eheim Classic range, simple and reliable, but I am old fashioned.

 

[george29]

Personally I use the Eheim Classic range, simple and reliable, but I am old fashioned.

Hi,

Know what you mean, used to have the similar round type of Fluval 103,104 canisters long , long, ago ...🙂

Bit off put by quiet a few comments about the moderns Fluvals leaking so easily, but did speak to someone with an Eheim Ecco Pro and could not praise it enough, so that kind of sealed it for me.

 

[Jayefc1]

I would go with oase bio master thermal 250 No heater in tank excellent pre filter (10 mins to clean) and very quiet

 

[Oldguy]

Hi gegorge29, I still run a Fluval 103. Parts are a bit thin on the ground. Converted it into a bottom of canister input as in the Eheim Classics.