Tetra ExPower120 canister filter

[ForestG]

Hello everybody. This is my first post here although I am registered since couple of months and I am reading almost daily all posts/threads.
I do not know if my location can be seen but I live in Romania where these Tetra's filters are available for two years already - although under a slightly different name like "TetraTec EX 600/700/1200".
I must say first that Eheim - to our regret - is not available yet here and honestly have no ideea why. Thus the options for an extrernal filter are reduced to Fluval, Tetra, JBL, Sera and eventually Hydor.
I've used for several years two Fluvals but heard lately from local aquarium enthusiast community that the new models had some noise and leaking problems. Since I have decided to renew my setups I went and had a look in a local petshop at one of these Tetra filters. Decided instantly that I'd better go with a JBL for my 130liters home tank. The decision was mostly based on the overall appearance. JBL seemed to me better/strongly built plus that JBL as a producer/manufacturer is better rated.
I used that JBL filter for two weeks on my newly set up tank and with all due respect for the construction of this filter and for the manufacturer (whose products I am intensively/extensively using for years) the water flow was well below my expectations. The filter is rated for 700l/hour but after one week working on a new tank I could barely notice the water flow. The worst news was that algae started to appear due to slow water movement.
I have suddenly decided to go for Tetra and all I can say is that now I have three of them 2 x EX700 and 1 x EX1200 all working wonders. Have read on an UK based forum plenty of good things about them.

[tcampbell]

ForestG's post hit the nail on the head. Just because the Tetra filters are new here does not mean they are new everywhere, nor does it mean they are bad.

I talked to 3 other users in Taiwan and they all speak very highly of the Tetra filters.

I know the next filter I buy will be a Tetra Ex-90.

[rainbowfix]

hehe .. guess there are some tetra supporters too.. want to go for eheim but too expensive.. but to buy a tetra at a higher price than other places is like being ripped off...

[oblivion]

ForestG's post hit the nail on the head. Just because the Tetra filters are new here does not mean they are new everywhere, nor does it mean they are bad.

I talked to 3 other users in Taiwan and they all speak very highly of the Tetra filters.

I know the next filter I buy will be a Tetra Ex-90.

yea i agree with you on this
but why so many spore aquarists use eheim is cos its easily available in spore.
same as why forestg uses tetra in romania.
its all due to availability and convenience in your local area.

if only the aquarium manufacturers market all were like macdonalds
found evrywhere in the world..

[stephen chung]

The problem with other product is, spare parts and accessories are hard to come by. You have to do a lot of modification or u just hv to throw away.

I was going to get a EX-90 it cost abt $160 but the thing is it most likely that I would have to throw away the filter when it spoils.

[ForestG]

lee1224 - you are absolutely right. I am dreaming of buying one of those Eheim's ProII since they came on the market. In fact I was tempted to buy one recently when I travelled to Germany but on a second thought I gave up because getting some spare parts or some specially designed media (like sponges cut to specific size and shape) would be a nightmare. Repeating what you just said - it is a matter of convenience.

[vincentlii]

Who wants to be the first guinea pig to try Tetra?

[stephen chung]

I'll try..Tetra EX-90..I'll go get 1 soon.

IS from Japan. Shouldn't be that bad.