The idea of creating local and miniature reservoirs came to man quite a long time ago. And if in the usual conditions the ecosystem was supported by nature itself, then the artificial aquarium required additional equipment. One of the most important elements of the latter is a special filter.
It purifies water and retains numerous biological waste. And that's just its main function. Modern internal and external filters for an aquarium can not only fight pollution, but also supply the local ecosystem with beneficial bacteria and microorganisms, as well as maintain the necessary temperature balance and oxygen proportions. Naturally, the more functions a device has, the more expensive it is.
Filter types
In total, there are two main types 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 operates almost silently. But the most serious drawback of such models is the space occupied in the tank. This option is good forlarge aquariums, but not every city dweller can afford to climb into the precious square meters of already small apartments by installing a bandura of 800 liters.
Therefore, external aquarium filters 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 frighten fish and other living creatures in your mini-pond, unlike internal ones. Just about the external type and will be discussed in our article. We will start with manufacturers of such devices, and then move on to specific models.
Producers
You can make an external filter for an aquarium with your own hands, but this 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 far from a factory device that has received patents, has some innovative solutions and goes through multi-level OTC.
So a good half of consumers are much more interested in buying factory-made devices, rather than making them yourself. This is where the question arises of which external filter for an aquarium is better and which manufacturers to pay attention to. Devices of this kind are produced by many companies, but not all of them produce high-quality and deserving to be purchased models. For some, the production of filters is only a small branch in the general flow, and someone, as they say, ate the dog in this business. About the last weLet's just talk.
Manufacturers of the best external filter for aquarium:
- Eheim.
- Tetra.
- Jebo.
- JBL.
- Aquael.
The products of these brands please the consumer not only with high-quality water purification and a variety of models, but also with a long service life of products. Judging by the reviews on external filters for aquariums from the above companies, almost all users were satisfied with the purchase. Approaching the 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 client because of some technical flaws in products or poor-quality service.
So, let's take a look at the best and most popular external filters for aquariums, which are distinguished by their efficiency and quality component, as well as rave reviews from users. All the models described below can be purchased 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 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 aquariumAquael can be located both above the water level and below - this does not affect the efficiency in any way. The device is equipped with a large number of cleaning elements. Moreover, the filter media can, if necessary, be replaced with a similar one from another manufacturer.
Device features
Maintenance of the device must be carried out with a certain frequency, which depends mainly on the quality of the water. The device supports three types of filtration - physical, chemical and biological.
Judging by the reviews of 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 generally respond positively to the device: the assembly is of high quality, the tank cleaning is fast, plus the device can work in tandem with a bottom filter.
Model benefits:
- best option for small aquariums and terrariums;
- easy access to the main elements of the filter (can be easily replaced);
- a significant increase in efficiency paired with a bottom filter;
- three types of cleaning;
- virtually silent operation.
Flaws:
price is a bit high with 80 liters limit
Estimated cost is about 3,500 rubles.
Eheim 2073 Professional
External filter for aquarium Eheim 2073 Professional is one of the most popular and versatile models on the domestic market. One of the main features of the device is the presence of pre-filtration. I.ethe service life of the main cleaning element is greatly increased here, thanks to such assistance.
As for versatility, the device can "digest" both 200 and 300 liters. The external aquarium filter is also equipped with an independent priming button and individually filled boxes. In addition, the device can also be called practical. Consuming only 16 watts, the motor can process about 1000 liters of water per hour. Such an external filter for 200 liters aquariums will be ideal in terms of efficiency.
Distinctive features of the model
Users are mostly positive about the model. It does an excellent job of cleaning, is economical, and the main filter element lasts many times longer than its counterparts, because it is equipped with a pre-treatment module. Some owners sometimes complain about equipment leaks, but they are an overwhelming minority, especially since the brand’s service centers work as they should and, if necessary, will repair or even exchange the model for a new one if it has a sign of marriage.
Filter benefits:
- mechanical, chemical and biological treatment;
- the presence of pre-filtration, as well as the long service life of the main cleaning element;
- energy saving;
- independent pumping button and individually filled boxes;
- adequate cost with existing characteristics.
Cons:
- with rare exceptions, marriage comes across(leak);
- price.
Estimated price is about 15,000 rubles.
JBL Cristalprofi E1501 Greenline
External filter for 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 aquariums of 200 liters and large tanks of 700 liters.
And, of course, the German quality makes itself felt. Judging by the feedback from consumers, there are absolutely no questions about the assembly of the device, as well as its effectiveness. All three types of cleaning - physical, chemical and biological, work as they should and filter the ward tank with due speed.
Features of the model
Despite the declared volumes, the efficiency of the device along with the power of the pump can also be attributed to the pluses. In addition, many owners rated the exterior of the model at five plus. The appearance of the filter is a mixture of classics and hi-tech, so the device will look great in almost any interior.
Model benefits:
- wide range of processing volumes (from 200 to 700 liters);
- effective three-level cleaning;
- German build quality;
- powerful yet economical pump;
- nice design.
Flaws:
price is too high for domestic consumer
Estimated cost is about 15,000 rubles.
Tetra EX-1200
Modeldesigned for tanks with a volume of 200 to 500 liters. The device, as in the case of the Eheim 2073, is equipped with a primary filter to retain large particles, so the main cleaning element lasts much longer than usual.
Inside the model are four containers with different fillings. They provide effective three-level filtration from mechanical, chemical and biological elements. The power of the model is 19.5 W, and the productivity varies within 1200 liters per hour.
Distinctive features of the device
Users are mostly positive about the model. The device has all the necessary and some additional features that are implemented in the more expensive devices described above. To work efficiency or build quality, consumers have no. All necessary accessories are already included in the package, so the filter is ready to run right out of the box. It is also worth noting the silent operation of the device, which, alas, is rare in inexpensive models.
Pros of the device:
- efficient filtering;
- three-level chemical, biological and physical treatment;
- silent operation;
- rich package;
- more than affordable price tag for the available features.
Cons:
some models start leaking after 1-2 years (about 2 out of 10)
Estimated price is about 11,000 rubles.
Aqua Design Amano (ADA) Super Jet Filter ES-600
This is probably the best thingto offer a premium segment in the category of devices processing up to 200 liters of water. The filter itself looks like a canister, and the body is made of stainless steel. The connected pump significantly reduces the harmful effects of electromagnetic waves on beneficial biological organisms.
High-tech design fully provides three types of filtration - chemical, biological and mechanical. The first works with activated carbon, the second relies on the selected filler, and the last purifies water from waste and other fine dirt. Moreover, biological filtration is responsible not only for water, but also processes algae, ammonia and microbes.
Features of the model
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 he alth of fish and other animals living in the aquarium. That is, the device really creates and maintains a real ecosystem in a reservoir.
The package includes all the necessary accessories, so you can use it right out of the box. Judging by the feedback from consumers, they have no questions about assembly or filtration efficiency. In general, for such money, there should not be any shortcomings in principle. Also, many users note the durability of the device and its silent operation. In short, it is ideal for breeders of rare, exclusive and fastidious breeds of fish or turtles.
Model benefits:
- very efficient three-stage filtration;
- creating a natural ecosystem in a reservoir;
- stainless steel case;
- virtually silent operation;
- long operating period.
Flaws:
price is too high for domestic consumer
Estimated cost is about 60,000 rubles.
Summing up
When choosing equipment of this kind, you must first look at the volume of your aquarium. It is best to take devices, as they say, with a margin. That is, for example, for a tank of 200 liters, it is necessary to take a device designed for at least 250 liters. This will allow you not to overload the device and significantly increase the operational life of the product.
Beginners who are just discovering the amazing water world with its no less attractive inhabitants should not spend money on fastidious and rare representatives of the fauna, as well as on an expensive aquarium with a filter. Start small, and if you are fascinated by this direction, then smoothly switch to more technologically advanced and expensive equipment.
The list above is just the way from beginner to expert, where the first device is mainly for amateurs, like unpretentious fish and turtles, and the last one is a purely professional model for experts in their field.
