Nice filter. I have the EX30 and EX45 on 20G and 29G tanks respectively. I dump out the carbon and put a couple biomaxx bags in instead. For the high potential for problems - the motor is inside the tank and the intake tube connects to a U joint that dumps the water into the media compartment. The connection for the intake to the U joint is this crude rubber connecter - half around one side and the other half around the other. Should that connection come loose, the motor will continue to pump water which ends up everywhere BUT in the filter. Happened to me once when playing with the filter.

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125 - big fish - BGK
125 - cichlid community - cichlids (red severums, chanchitos, bolivian rams, blue acara, chocolate), rainbows (yellow, turquoise, red and boesmani), loaches (angelicus, zebra, kuhli and horseface), plecos (BN, RL and clown), denison barbs, pearl gouramis, golden wonder killis
90 - african community - Congo tetras, african knife, african butterflies, spotted ctenopoma, palmas bichir, african featherfin
10 - female pink convict
5 - betta/ADFs

QTs - 2x29, 20H, 20L

This is my first filter, so I don't have any other experiences to compare to. However, I am very satisfied with it. As they advertise, the water flow is very well designed. I have the Whisper EX 45 on a 30 gallon long and if I put it on the side of the tank it's pretty much rapids throughout. When on the back, to one side, half the tank is calmer. This filter has a timer you replace along with new media and activate telling you how long till the carbon needs to be replaced, which is very handy. The Bioscrubber which is separate from the carbon filter stays in and keeps the bacteria. If you like a peaceful and subtle waterfall sound just drop the water level an inch - there is no water movement sound when water is filled at 1 inch from lip. Has intake downspout extenders for 12" high, 16-18", and taller aquariums for optimum water flow. Also, it looks nice, sleek and up-to-date, all black.

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30 Gal Long: 1 Opaline Gourami, 1 Female Cambodian Crowntail Betta, 10 Red Eye Tetra, a few Pond Snails.

I like this filter, unfortunatly I received a defective unit. After hooking it up, I noticed the water level in the tank had dropped. I topped it off, it dropped again. Turned out the unit had a pin hole in the bottom of the part that hangs outside the tank. I was able to repair the leak by basically re-melting the plastic. This was only temporary as I contacted Tetra via e-mail and they are sending a replacement filter. Lesson learned before installing anything like this fill with water and check for leaks.