External Filter for 300/350 litre aquarium

[mikevxr]

Looking for recommendations for an external filter for 300-350 litre aquarium. I've been looking at eheim externals but not sure?

[gturmindright]

Im going with an fx4 with a sponge pre-filter. Media will be pumice stone. Currently Im running a Fluval 406 with a sunsun prefilter and a Seachem Tidal 110.

[mikevxr]

Would the FX4 not be too powerful for a 300-350 litre tank?

[brianyelick]

If you want superior biological go with the eheim I only use eheim classic canisters they are awesome

[gturmindright]

The FX4 is probably only putting out like 400gph after it's all packed full of media. It depends what you want. I like the extra flow to move solids around in the water column without buying an extra powerhead and paying for it's wattage, however the fx4 uses 30 watts while the biggest regular Eheim uses 20 watts before it jumps up to the big dog which uses 65 watts ($400+). I would definitely consider Eheim for a big tank or a 55 or smaller but my research led me to fx4 especially considering overstocked african cichlid tanks. Eheim needs a classic that fits in between the 2217 and the 2262. IMO you are more likely to be lacking mechanical filtration capacity than you are to be lacking bio filtration capacity. Unless you believe that bio media in the canister filter can accommodate anaerobic bacteria. This is of course all based on my limited experience and my extensive research.

[mikevxr]

Thanks - decided to go for 2 Eheim classic 250 filters so I can have different media in each one, just waiting for them to arrive.

[mikevxr]

Well Eheim filters arrived yesterday now just have to set them up.

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[brianyelick]

Awesome I think you made a great choice.

[mikevxr]

Well set the first one up yesterday and seems to be of better quality finish wise than my last Fluval 306. It was great that it came with free media and sponges. It's also very quiet and at 8 watts shouldn't be expensive to run.

[Mastiffman/ Duramax7Man7]

FX series filters are great. I;ve never purchased a new FX5 and have had my 5 for over 9 years now...