Thanks for your input guys, I think the Sera 1000 is the way forward. Again with the German reactor the hose connection on the bottom looks like a nightmare for plumbing inside a cabinet. The outlet on the top of the filter will need to bend round and back quite severely as height is restricted.
The filter is the issue, I'm trying to take into account the reduction in flow but without going over the top. I can only deal with the figures on spec sheets but they are probably well out depending on how the canister is packed, head of water, amount of bends I need to put in to get it plumbed etc. Researching the Sera not enough flow can cause issues as well as too much. I feel like goldilocks of filters at the minute
Hopefully I can get everything from one retailer but the options in my budget fall between the aqua-one 1250 and the ecco 300. I have to say I have owned a aqua-one system for probably 8 years now and only changed tubes in that time not even an impeller so as robustness goes their stuff is well put together BUT to be fair the Aqua-one systemised set up has very little moving parts compared to a canister which is probably a strong point for their set ups. If it isn't the impeller or actual pump there's nothing else to break. Just a shame that the trickle can't be sealed to prevent de-gassing or it would be a belting set up.
On other hand the Eheim uses less power, has a reputation for robustness and is slightly cheaper. Downside is does that less power use equate to compromising output and there is slightly more room for media in the aqua-one.
Hmm decisions decisions, just looking through the specs the reactor 500 needs 500lph and the 1000 needs 700lph with no max output.
The ecco 300 stats are..
Technical data EHEIM ecco pro 300:
- product type: 2036020
- for aquariua from 160 up to 300 litres
- Power consumption: 230 V/ 50 Hz 8 W
- Pump output: 750 l/h
- Pump head: 1,9 m
- Filter volume 2.8 l + 0.3 l (prefilter)
- Canister volume: 5.0 l
- Dimesnions: 205 x 416 mm ( diameter x height)
No sign if that's with empty canister comes in at £89.99
The aqua one Advance range...
Model Max flow Rate Aquarium Working turnover Power Canister Volume price
1050 1050 L/hr 200L 750 L/hr 32 Watt 8.5 L £84.99
1250 1250 L/hr 250l 850 L/hr 32 Watt 12L £94.99
There are also non-advance models which have less media capacity but only use 20 watts of power and don't appear to be self priming but for a £5 less the advance also comes with a 4 year guarantee.