[gravy9]

I bought my

Eheim 2213 on eBay 2 months ago and just ordered an

Eheim 2215 yesterday. Both the links show the sellers that I bought from. I liked the prices and the service.

I hope I'm not out of line for posting the links of the sellers. If I am, please let me know.

 

[bosmahe1]

I have the Rena XP2 and am quite pleased with it. The throughput is quite strong even though the baskets are full of sponge material and floss and the output hose is connected to a co2 reactor made of 2" x 14" PVC. The XP2 is installed on a 46 Gallon Bowfront tank. I use after-market filter floss and I like the fact that it easier to cut square than round such as the Classics would require. Not sure if the throughput ratings are comparable but the Renas appear to have stronger pumps. The Rena hose disconnect is one lever and is designed so that you can't accidentally drain the hoses when the lever is disengaged from the filter.

My two cents.

 

[perrycus]

Ok so I've been reading this thread and have gotten some good insight as to which brands to start with. However I still have some questions pertaining to canister filters. I've heard that for a planted tank with fish your pump should turn over the water 8 times per hour. Does anyone agree/disagree? Also, does that theory change with canister filters? In other words, does it have to turn at such a high rate since it is a much better filter than HOB? I hope that makes sense to someone.



P.S. I'm a newbie and I love this site!

 

[supersmirky]

The key is for good water circulation, you can always supplement your filter with power heads such as koralias. The key is to distribute CO2 and fertz through the tank.

 

[perrycus]

Ok thanks! I'll keep my eye on ebay for a good price on an eheim classic.

 

[Rockylou]

Bosmahe1, thanks for the Rena info .

Those look like they'd be user friendly.

Something with good "flow" that's user friendly would work for me.

Still looking, though. I'd like to check out an Eheim 'cause they get good reviews, but no one around here sells them.

 

[supersmirky]

You would probably get a better deal online than in any fish store anyways. Check out some online places or even google it.

BigAlsOnline.com usually has pretty good deals on equipment

 

[trenac]

I love my Rena Filstars... Easy to setup due to great instructions, prime easily, easy to take apart to clean & maintain, nice size trays for media.

I never buy equipment from my LFS, because the prices on line are usually half the cost. I order from Big Als the majority time, since they have the best prices that I have found.

 

[trackhazard]

I use 2 Marineland C-series canisters. I've had both for almost a year now w/ no probs.

Everyone else seems to have good luck w/ Eheims. I've had 4 and none of them have been what you would call trouble free. I suppose I'm just unlucky.

Charlie

 

[gravy9]

Charlie,

Where did you buy your Jebo R8120?

 

[trackhazard]

I got from my brother in law's hookup. He says the US distributor told him it was the only one in the US bu the guy likes to exaggerate so who knows.

Charlie

 

[BassMan]

What about the after market filters that are comparible in ability to the Eheim? On eBay they have a no name filter with 4 media baskets that cycles 317-360 gph. The ability of this filter is better to that than of the Eheim's but I'd imagine it would be a sacrifice in value due to the "name brand" status. Part availablity is also important I assume. However, if it comes down to the actual price of it all, this "odyessa" filter sells for approx. $65 while the Eheim, new is around $230. Any thoughts....

 

[trackhazard]

The Odyssea filters I've seen are pretty cheap feeling. The plastic for the filter body feels flimsier than the Eheims and that alone makes me wary.

That being said, I've read of people using them w/ no problems and people having nothing but issues with them.

It all depends on how big of a gamble you're willing to take.

Charlie

 

[greenman]

I asked the Question "What's the best Canister filter" a while ago on APC. What I learned from the gang is this, almost every canister out there has it's own set of fans. Most canisters seem to do more than an adequate good, however there appears to be no more faithful set of groupies than those associated with the Eheim Classics. That said, I ended up with an Eheim ECCO because I wanted to support my local fish store. So, I'm not a part of the popular crowd, but the unit runs great and I've never had a problem. In the end, I'd say be smart and do your homework, but you might want to consider your local pet/fish store when making your decision, they could use your business, remember they are a dying breed in this age of internet and big box pet centers.

Greenman

 

[goalcreas]

I use 2 Marineland C-series canisters. I've had both for almost a year now w/ no probs.

Everyone else seems to have good luck w/ Eheims. I've had 4 and none of them have been what you would call trouble free. I suppose I'm just unlucky.

Charlie

I reluctantly bought one from a friend because I needed one that weekend to set up a tank and there was no other option then getting the C-260 (220 - 240 whatever it is) for $50 (which ended up being a STEAL) or go to an lFS and pay over $150 for something.
IT WAS THE BEST FILTER BUY I HAVE EVER MADE
I COULDN"T BE HAPPIER. I will now go for these before anything else.

I have a buddy that got the big one and he said the flow was stronger then the XP4's, of course you can control the flow.

I think these are the STURDIEST filters around today, they are very thick and beefy.
Another plus is ALL BLACK parts for intake / outflow. They don't come with alot of good media (activated carbon and bio balls which I don't use) but you can usually pick them up on e-bay for pretty cheap.

I have never used Eheim's, I know those that love and live by them and then others that buy them to see what all the hype is and are very disappointed.

Anyone that went from XP's to Eheim's just don't like eheims and think the cost was not justified.
Those that go eheim, usually never go anything else.

I also LIKE MY FLUVAL'S very a whole bunch.
I hate my XP's, but they were so darn cheap (a year and half ago, they have since adjusted to market value)

 

[DarioDario]

I have never used Eheim's, I know those that love and live by them and then others that buy them to see what all the hype is and are very disappointed.

Anyone that went from XP's to Eheim's just don't like eheims and think the cost was not justified.
Those that go eheim, usually never go anything else.

What are you talking about????

Can you link to people post describing there transition from ehiem to rena and thinking the ehiems aren't worth it? I suppose if you havn't used a product you shouldn't pass judgment on it at the very least try and comment especially when its wrong.

 

[bosmahe1]

Goalcreas,

Curious, why do you prefer Fluvals over Rena XPs? Initiallly, I bought an XP2 for the price, $75.00 I think. I really like the filter but the prices they charge now, might make me rethink buying another. Eheim Classics might be more cost effective now days but, exchanging filter material looks like it would be such a hastle.