The idea of creating local and miniature reservoirs came to a person for a long time. And if in the usual conditions the ecosystem was supported by nature itself, then the artificial aquarium needed additional equipment. One of the most important elements of the latter is a special filter.
It purifies water and retains numerous biological wastes. And this is only its main function. Modern internal and external filters for the aquarium can not only fight pollution, but also provide the local ecosystem with useful bacteria and microorganisms, as well as maintain the necessary temperature balance and oxygen proportions. Naturally, the more functions a device is endowed with, the more expensive it is.
Filter types
In total, there are two main varieties of such systems - these are internal and external filters for the aquarium. Which is better in a given situation, mainly depends on the volume of your mini-pond. The first group of devices is located inside the tank and works almost silently. But the most serious drawback of such models is the space occupied in the tank. This option is good for large aquariums, but not every city dweller can afford to climb up precious square meters, without having already installed small apartments, installing a 800 liter bandura.
Therefore, external filters for the aquarium are more practical in terms of saving space in the apartment and at the same time increasing the useful space of the tank. In addition, they do not scare fish and other animals in your mini-pond, unlike internal ones. It is about the external type that will be discussed in our article. We will start with the manufacturers of such devices, and then move on to specific models.
Manufacturers
You can make an external filter for the aquarium with your own hands, but it takes time, a certain amount of knowledge and related accessories. In financial terms, this is a noticeable benefit, but few have the strength and patience for this enterprise. In addition, an external filter for an aquarium with your own hands is not a factory device that has received patents, has some innovative solutions and goes through multi-level quality control systems.
So a good half of consumers are much more interested in buying factory devices, rather than doing it yourself. This is where the question arises of which external filter for the aquarium is better and which manufacturers to pay attention to. Many companies release devices of this plan, but not everyone gets high-quality and deserving to be bought models. For some, the production of filters is only a small branch in the general flow, and someone, as they say, ate a dog on this matter. We’ll just talk about the latter.
Manufacturers of the best external filter for the aquarium:
- Eheim.
- Tetra.
- Jebo.
- JBL.
- Aquael.
The products of these brands delight the consumer not only with high-quality water treatment and a variety of models, but also with the long operational life of the products. Judging by the reviews on external filters for aquariums from the above companies, almost all users were happy with the purchase. Approaching a shelf with branded products, you can be sure that it will not let you down and will work exactly as the manufacturer intended. Because a serious company will never allow itself to lose a customer from some technical flaws in products or poor-quality after-sales service.
So, then we will consider the best and most popular external filters for aquariums, which are distinguished by their efficiency and quality component, as well as flattering reviews from users. All the models described below can be bought at specialized offline sales points, or ordered online through distributors.
Aquael MINIKANI 80
As the name implies, this model is designed for aquariums whose capacity does not exceed a volume of 80 liters. Despite the estimated displacement, the efficiency of the device is impressive - 300 l / h. Fish, turtles and other animals in your mini-pond will feel great.
It should also be noted that the external filter for the Aquael aquarium can be placed both above and below the water level - this does not in any way affect the efficiency. The device is equipped with a large number of cleaning elements. Moreover, the filter media can be replaced, if necessary, with a similar one from another manufacturer.
Instrument Features
Maintenance of the device must be carried out with a certain periodicity, which depends mainly on the quality of the water. The device supports three types of filtration - physical, chemical and biological.
Judging by the reviews on the device, a good half of the owners use it for terrariums with aquatic turtles. But for ordinary fish, the model is quite suitable. Users mostly respond positively about the device: the assembly is of high quality, the tank cleaning is fast, plus the device can work in tandem with a bottom filter.
Advantages of the model:
- the best option for small aquariums and terrariums;
- easy access to the main filter elements (can be replaced without problems);
- a significant increase in efficiency paired with a bottom filter;
- three types of cleaning;
- almost silent work.
Disadvantages:
- the price is too high with a volume limit of 80 liters.
Estimated cost - about 3500 rubles.
Eheim 2073 Professional
The external filter for the aquarium Eheim 2073 Professional is one of the most popular and versatile models in the domestic market. One of the main features of the apparatus is the presence of preliminary filtration. That is, the service life of the main cleaning element is significantly increased here, thanks to such assistance.
As for universality, the device can "digest" both 200 and 300 liters. The external filter for the aquarium is also equipped with an independent pumping button and individually filled boxes. In addition, the device can also be called practical. Consuming just 16 watts, the engine can handle about 1000 liters of water per hour. Such an external filter for 200 liter aquariums would be ideal in terms of efficiency.
Distinctive features of the model
Users mostly respond positively about the model. It copes with cleaning perfectly, is economical, and the main filter element serves many times longer than its counterparts, because it is equipped with a pre-processing module. Some owners sometimes complain about equipment leaks, but such an overwhelming minority, especially the brand’s service centers are working as they should and if necessary they will repair or even exchange the model for a new one, if it has a sign of marriage.
Filter advantages:
- mechanical, chemical and biological treatment;
- the presence of pre-filtration, as well as the long service life of the main cleaning element;
- economical energy consumption;
- independent pumping button and individually filled boxes;
- adequate cost with the available characteristics.
Minuses:
- with rare exceptions, marriage (leakage) occurs;
- cost.
Estimated price - about 15,000 rubles.
JBL Cristalprofi E1501 Greenline
The external filter for the aquarium JBL E1501 is one of the most successful devices in the series. The relatively high cost is due to the enviable range of processed volumes. The device perfectly copes with cleaning both medium-sized aquariums of 200 liters and large tanks of 700 liters.
And, of course, German quality makes itself felt. Judging by consumer reviews, there are absolutely no questions about the assembly of the device, as well as its effectiveness. All three types of treatment - physical, chemical and biological, work as they should and with proper speed filters the ward reservoir.
Model Features
Despite the stated volumes, the advantages can also include the cost-effectiveness of the device along with the power of the pump. In addition, many owners praised the exterior of the model for five plus. The appearance of the filter is a mix of classic with high-tech, so the device will look great in almost any interior.
Advantages of the model:
- a wide range of processed volumes (from 200 to 700 liters);
- effective three-level cleaning;
- German build quality;
- powerful and at the same time economical pump;
- Nice looking design.
Disadvantages:
- the price is too high for the domestic consumer.
Estimated cost - about 15,000 rubles.
Tetra EX-1200
The model is designed for tanks with a volume of 200 to 500 liters. The device, as in the case of Eheim 2073, is equipped with a primary filter to hold large particles, so the main cleaning element lasts much longer than usual.
Inside the model are four containers with various fillers. They provide effective three-level filtration from mechanical, chemical and biological elements. The power of the model is 19.5 W, and the performance ranges from 1200 liters per hour.
Distinctive features of the device
Users mostly respond positively about the model. The device has all the necessary and some additional features that are implemented in the more expensive devices described above. Consumers do not have work efficiency or build quality. All necessary accessories are already included in the package, so the filter is ready to start right out of the box. It is also worth noting the silent operation of the device, which, alas, is a rarity in low-cost models.
Advantages of the device:
- effective filtering;
- three-level chemical, biological and physical treatment;
- silent work;
- rich scope of supply;
- more than a democratic price tag for the available features.
Minuses:
- some models begin to leak in 1-2 years (approximately 2 out of 10).
Estimated price - about 11,000 rubles.
Aqua Design Amano (ADA) Super Jet Filter ES-600
This is perhaps the best that the premium segment can offer in the category of devices that process up to 200 liters of water. The filter itself looks like a canister, and the housing is made of stainless steel. A connected pump at times reduces the harmful effects of electromagnetic waves on beneficial biological organisms.
The high-tech design in full provides three types of filtration - chemical, biological and mechanical. The first works with activated carbon, the second relies on the selected filler, and the latter purifies the water from waste and other fine dirt. Moreover, biological filtration is responsible not only for water, but also processes algae, ammonia and microbes.
Model Features
The filter is very powerful and saturates the water in the tank with oxygen plus properly distributes it into layers. This has a particularly positive effect on the health of fish and other animals living in the aquarium. That is, the device really creates and supports a real ecosystem in a reservoir.
All necessary accessories are included in the delivery package of the device, so you can use it right out of the box. Judging by consumer reviews, they have no questions about the assembly or filtering efficiency. In general, for such money there should be no shortcomings in principle. Also, many users note the durability of the device and its silent operation. In a word, this is ideal for breeders of rare, exclusive and finicky breeds of fish or turtles.
Advantages of the model:
- very effective three-stage filtration;
- creation of a natural ecosystem in a reservoir;
- stainless steel case;
- almost silent work;
- long operational period.
Disadvantages:
- the price is too high for the domestic consumer.
Estimated cost - about 60,000 rubles.
Summarizing
Choosing equipment of such a plan, you must first look at the volumes of your aquarium. It is best to take appliances, as they say, with a margin. That is, for example, for a tank of 200 liters, it is necessary to take an apparatus designed for at least 250 liters. This will not overload the device and significantly increase the operational life of the product.
Newcomers who are just discovering an amazing water world with its equally attractive inhabitants should not spend money on fastidious and rare fauna representatives, as well as on an expensive filter aquarium. Start small, and if you are carried away by this direction, then smoothly switch to more technological and expensive equipment.
The list above just represents the path from a beginner to a specialist, where the first device is intended mainly for amateurs, as well as unpretentious fish with turtles, and the latter is a purely professional model for experts in their field.