More, On the Move and Filter Review

More
Realising that we were short of our biological control media, namely bristlenoses, since the move we bought 4 more and put them into the 5 foot tank outside.

On the Move
So we finally managed to halve the inmates in the 4 footer and add the last lot to the 5 footer. There are about 27 in each tank now which is a good amount for both of the tanks. The lower 5 foot tank is currently still our water storage area for water changes for all the other tanks.

Filter Review
We went out today and have picked up a Heto NEO-501 External Canister Filter from our favourite LFS which cost $139 on special. We are going to see how this compares to the Eheim filter.
We are putting it on to the inside 4 foot tank which is currently using an OTTO PF1200N Internal Power Filter which has been working okay but not brilliantly considering I had a considerable bio-load, I should not be too surprised. I am opting for the external canister as there should be much less handling of the messy filters (yeuck!).
...2 hours later...
Okay read the manual, then re-read the manual. Rinsed and fitted all the bits together, turned it on and suddenly there is a leak. Turn it off, pull the offending connector off...mop up water from forgetting to turn valve off...remove connector reconnect hose to connector...turn on...mop up water from not turning inlet connector off first, then outlet connector, then turning power off... mop up from removing vent plug to check it and having water go everywhere...put vent plug back and lock it...read instructions again...open the bottom valves...reconnect outlet hose...turn on...turn inlet off...turn outlet off... turn power off...mop up water from leaking connector...curse...dismantle outlet connector...check time...curse again...put to one side... clean top power filter sponge and wait until tomorrow so I can get a replacement connector...
Apart from the errant connector the Heto NEO-501 was reasonably easy to set up. The noise levels were comparable to the Eheim which is almost silent. The instruction manual was broken up section by section with each language covering the same part- this made it a little confusing and I suggest using a highlighter to go over the parts you need to read for each section so you don't miss anything. The Heto comes with a 1 year warranty which is normal with filters.
The Heto has more and different filter media than the Eheim as they are designed slightly differently.
The Eheim has the inlet at the bottom and the water passes up through different media, gets to the top and passes out back into the tank.
The Heto has both inlet and outlet at the top so has a separate section which the water passes through at the front and this holds numerous filter pads to filter out the initial lot of water. The flow then passes into the larger section which houses, from the bottom upwards, charcoal, foam and ceramic noodles each in their own tray with a fold down handle and then out and back into the tank.

The Eheim was purchased for $260- Model was the 2217
The Heto was purchased for $139- Model was the NEO-501

Canister capacity of each was about the same at 6.6L for the Eheim and around 6L for the Heto.
The carbon with the Eheim is a pad, on the Heto it is small pellets.
The noodles with the Eheim are smaller than the Heto ones.
Both the Eheim and the Heto have baskets for holding media- the Heto additionally has fold down handles.
Both the filters have 2 types of sponge that water is filtered through. A coarse grade and a finer grade.
Both filters have room for additional media to be added such as bioballs or ceramic foam as to your whim.
Both of the filters are very quiet.
The Eheim's rated flow capacity is 1000L/hr whilst the Heto's is 980L/hr.
Both of them are for up to 600L tanks.
Eheim's power usage is 20W/hr while the Heto comes in at an economical 8W/hr.
The only part of the review left for me to do is to replace the connector and then run it to see how the Heto shapes up against the Eheim.
I will provide the data over the next few weeks.

The Eheim 2217 is as great as it was supposed to be and I can definitely recommend them to anyone who wants a great external canister.
Here is hoping that the Heto also manages to stack up against the Eheim and fills the budget bracket.