Choosing the filter

[rdmello]

New to the forum! I'm making the switch to a canister filter. Which of the following filters would you recommend. They are all around the same price, but offer some offer higher flow rates for the same amount of money. I'm currently running a 40gal freshwater, but would like a filter that can easily handle more, and be able to move into a larger tank when I'm ready. I just don't want to spend too much now on the filter.

I've read reviews. There's pros and cons for for Eheim and Rena. I haven't found any opinions on the Odyssea. Some people even go so far as to say don't buy a canister filter. I'm confused.

Eheim 2213
Rena Filster XP2
Jebo Odyssea CSF4

[WTAC]

Welcome rdmello :).

A mixed opinion on canister use and "fill" for sure. Personally I use Rena XP3 for chem media and plan on discontinuing it's use and add a PH in it's place for water movement. In it's place for chem filtration I plan on using an AquaClear HOB filter for the chem media as the canister can be a PITA to change the media.

In my case, I prefer coral than fish and the amount of LR can easily do all the biological filtration. There is no real cut and dry ways to do it as experiences, equipment selection and products vary tremendously, but there are the "cardinal" rules.

As many have said before me, read, research, be patient and use common sence.

For all of us to help you in your decision, please tell us what kind of an overall "look" that you are wishing to achieve?

[rdmello]

"For all of us to help you in your decision, please tell us what kind of an overall "look" that you are wishing to achieve?"

I might not be answering this question correctly, but the overall look that I want to achieve is clean water and clean substrate. I currently have a lot of crap sitting on the bottom of my tank so I know I need a stronger filter.

Regarding external appearance, I don't mind having the cannister sitting on the floor.

It might be worth mentioning that I have sand at the bottom of my tank. My current HOB filter has been grinded by the sand it periodically picks up.

I suppose I plan on going with the canister filter, but need advice on which brand to buy.

[WTAC]

Sry rdmello, I should have elaborated on the " "look" that you are going for"...my bad.

The "look" I was referring to was what you plan on keeping in the set-up. Type of fish, coral and quantity. Knowing that will help to determine the proper selection of equipment for your particular situation. Again I apologize for being vague using that terminology.

If you plan on just a few fish (depening on specias and feeding habits), then LR and 3 PHs (powerheads) are really all you need.

As for clean water and substrate, it's much easier to use a HOB AquaClear for your chem media and a HOB skimmer to pull out the floating particulate matter (crud/detritus/etc) as well as dissolved organics that color the water.

For the crud accumulating, there simplest way to keep it from collecting in corners is simply have the PH's pointing in different directions and enough PH's to minimize "dead spots" for the crud to accumulate.

HTH

[WTAC]

My bad again...canister choice...

Go with Ehiem. You can easily get replacement parts when the impeller itself and the shaft gets worn down. I recommend the 2217 for media capacity over the 2213 when you upgrade to a larger aquarium.

[mikegauthier]

I have an eheim wetdry that I got used. It's been going good since I've set my tank up in may. I do intend to get rid of it though once I get a sump and a refuge rocking. But thats not going to be for a few more months.

[aquagrl]

I have been using the Eheim Pro II Canister filter on my 65 gallon tank for a year now and will continue to use it for carbon/Rowaphos when my new system is up and running. I currently run it only for circulation and for holding carbon and/or Rowaphos as required. I also bought the surface skimmer attachment and have found it helps with the surface scum. The secret is to keep it really clean. It really collects the detrius, even when running empty. I find it has lots of power and is easy to clean and set up. If you use filters in it, change them once a week. I would skip the other medium as it only helps produce nitrates. I emptied mine of the ceramic balls and tubes after 3 months.

[rdmello]

I have to clarify that I'm running a freshwater cichlid tank. 40 gal long with lots of rock.

From the responses, I get the idea that I should stick with the Eheim as opposed to the other brands I listed in my original post. I just thought that the extra flow from other brands might be better for me.

Now I'm thinking that I should maybe just run a PH with the Eheim 2213.

The 2213 is on sale for $100. I think the 2217 was $160? I can't remember, but a significant difference.

I'm currently using an Aquaclear HOB. I think it's the 300 model.

[Fishdude1234]

I use the XP3 and it works great...but be warned..it is fragile!!!. If it drops it will crack easily and the little latches can break if manhandled.
I would also get a filter that is over rated for your tank size. Look at the cost and availability of the fiter media in your loaction.

[Continental]

I just hooked up an XP3 on my son's 45 long. Simple, efficient, and really quiet. worth the money. J&L has them for around $127 this week.

[WTAC]

Ah...now that we're all on the same page it's for FW ;). I personally only use Rena and Eheim for canisters. Both have it's pros and cons but overall I prefer Eheim Classics even over the Professional Series.

Pros:
Eheim:
1. same design for the past 20 years and they are built to last. I have an 1810 that I bought back in 1980 and it still works.
2. "Engineered", IMHO, properly with input @ bottom and output @ top
3. minimal channelling and bypass through media.
4. can easily get replacement parts @ your LFS

Rena:
1. Good flowrate for it's size
2. Handy compartments
3. Relatively new to the market and IMHO, one of the better newcomers in terms of it's flowrate and ruggedness.

Cons:
Eheim:
1. Price but in the long run it's well worth it.
2. Generally non compartmentalized canister for media with excetion for the 2213 and 2215. Can be a PITA cleaning media unless you put the media in appropriate mesh size media bags.

Rena:
1. replacement parts...I haven't seen any offered in the LFS. If you beak something, you'll have to wait for the parts and have to jerry rig something inthe interm.
2.water bypass b/w media compartments. Even though there is good flow from the return, it can potentially be a false sence of security that the sponges are clogged w/crud and water is just finding the path of least resistance which is easy to do by it's design and lack of rubber gaskets b/w media chambers and to the head motor.

Please keep in mind that "recommended for aquariums up to X gallons/litres" are based on European standards; fewer fish/volume of water. Generally up to 4x turnover rate. IME, minimum is 6X if the canister is the only source of water movement.

Eheim 2213:116gph (2.9x turnover rate) IMHO, your going to have problems down the road.
Eheim 2217:267gph (6.7x turnover rate)
Rena XP3 350gph (8.75x turnover rate)

Between the two...Eheim has double the media capacity. Either way you can't go wrong. With the motor at the top you shouldn't have issues with sand wrecking the impeller and shaft.

HTH

[mr.wilson]

Save yourself a lot of aggrevation and pay the extra $$$ for an Eheim 2217. You get more media, and the flow is far better than the 2213. Adding a powerhead to the tank will give you more flow, but the media in the 2213 won't see the improvement.

Eheim filters cost more than many canisters, but they never die, so they are cheaper in the long run. You won't have to worry about replacing "o" rings, impellers, or cheap plastic retaining clips.

You will get more efficient flow if you lose the spray bar that comes with it.

[ajx22]

Please post your Fresh Water questions into the Fresh Water section of the website -

Thread Moved

[rdmello]

I got impatient last night, bought the Eheim 2213 and I'm dissappointed. I just don't see the flow that I was hoping to see. Meaning I hoped to see it sucking the particles in the water. I tried a few variations in the placement of the spraybar but neither impressed me. I actually feel a little ripped off, but based on the comments above, I want to stick with the Eheim brand. So I might try to exchange it for the 2217 or if they will not take it back, I might buy a HOB to add on to the system or maybe a powerhead.

Does anyone know the return policy at Big Al's?

[WTAC]

LOL...I'm guilty of that myself :).

You should be able to return it. If not don't bother w/HOBs. Get a MaxiJet 1200 or two as well as the Hydor Flo, which is a rotating thinga-ma-bobby for random water flow. That will help minimixe dead spots a bit.

HTH

[in_flight]

i have 11FW tanks mostly africans and i only use eheims and fluval, both are pretty good, quality wise eheim is better but fluval gives you the bang for the buck, i don't like the eheim standard circular canisters and prefer the professional series since the circular canisters are a bit more finicky and prone to exploding (quite a few threads in pricenetwork.ca in regards to these problems)

the only downfall with the fluval is that it takes a bit of skill to make sure that it seals properly otherwise you'll have a leaker

i overfilter my fw and use an eheim 2026/fluval 304/AC300 on my 75g malawi show tank with black sand and ugj to kill the deadspots

i've been meaning to buy an xp3 to test it out but have been spending most of my money on my SW :D

[rdmello]

I called the store and asked about return policy. They won't take it back unless there's something wrong with it. I went to another store for someone else's opinion and they still recommended the Eheim 2213 and claimed it should be enough for my 40gal. I bought a maxi jet 600 and set it up as a prefilter. I also re-set up the Eheim and it's working better. So now I'm a little happier.

I also checked the prices for higher model Eheims. The 2217 was $120 more than I paid for my 2213 so I'll stick this for a while.

Question: My powerhead has a higher flow rating than my filter. Is there a problem with that? I set it up with a sponge over the intake so it works as a prefilter.

Question: My Eheim is on the left, exhaust goes out horizontally along the back of tank. My powerhead is on the right, exhaust is pointed horizontally along the front. I hoped it continues a circular flow. Hope that makes sense. Does anyone recommend any other set ups to increase filtration and keep the water clean?

[in_flight]

imho best biological filtration is a simple Hydro sponge filter with an air pump.

you have the right idea with circulation, i personally place the outpipe of my eheim on the top right corner pointing towards the substrate and i have the fluval intake on the other end so that the flow pushes waste and dirt into the outtake and i then place the outpipe of the fluval pointing towards the eheim intake

[mr.wilson]

In_flight is right about the hydro sponges. I used to run 25,000 gallons of freshwater tanks exclusively on them in my wholesale operation.

Make sure you lose the spray bar as it will lower your flow rate through the Eheim and in the tank.

Clean the Eheim often as it is undersized for your tank. You will get double the flow if you keep it clean.

[rdmello]

"Make sure you lose the spray bar as it will lower your flow rate through the Eheim and in the tank."

What should I use instead of the spray bar? The spray bar seems fine if I remove the cap allowing most of the water to just pass straight through rather than being pushed out the small holes.

[mr.wilson]

Yes, removing the end cap will also solve the problem.