EHEIM vs FLUVAL Canister Filters - What's your opinion???

[thebrandon]

All you need is a shower-bar for the FX5 lol. Here a new one for a great "Buy Now" price with free shipping from a top reputation seller.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Fluval-A218-FX5...493?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item483bcb547d

I just looked at this auction, that is more than I have ever payed for an FX5 shipped. You can find them for much cheaper than that on ebay.

Here are a couple that are considerably less for the exact same thing.

http://cgi.ebay.com/FLUVAL-FX5-AQUA...ltDomain_0&hash=item5d2cdf3f76#ht_4367wt_1141

http://cgi.ebay.com/Fluval-A218-FX5...ltDomain_0&hash=item53e4a58184#ht_1986wt_1141

 

[SwizzJ38]

I know this is a little off topic..... but are canister filters more effective? or is it for bigger tanks?

 

[thebrandon]

Really depends on the tank size, if you have plants ect. Canisters can fit more media than a HOB. They also gas off less CO2 than a HOB (unless you have a spray bar above the water), which is good if you have live plants. In general they usually have more flow than a HOB and you can pick what direction the water flows unlike with a HOB.

Sumps IMO are kind of like a canister HOB combo. Sumps gas off a bunch of CO2, but at the same time you can usually fit considerably more media than a canister. They have great flow if set up right and have many uses and can incorporate a bunch of things. You can hav a refuge in your sump, hide equipment, ect...

 

[Frogmanx82]

I have an Eheim Pro II 2128 running side by side with a 20 year old Fluval 403. The Fluval is quieter, and has less problems with leaks. IME the gasket design where the top has to be pushed down on the gasket is not as good a seal as round gaskets forced against the sidewall. I've had to use vaseline on the eheim gasket to get it to seal. Google it, I'm not the only one experiencing this. The Fluval has the original gasket and impeller, never a problem.

I run an Eheim classic on another tank. It is dead quiet and uses a round gasket against the side wall so no leakage problems. The classic is really the best designed canister and superior to the professional series in reliability and performance. Water goes in the bottom, out the top, no chance for bypass, its the best filter and a fraction of the price of the newer models.

 

[Squawkbert]

I know this is a little off topic..... but are canister filters more effective? or is it for bigger tanks?

I recommend canisters for planted aquariums and very large tanks where a sump is a no-go for some reason. HOBs are best for small/medium tanks w/o CO2 injection. If you start running out of room for HOBs, don't like the noise, want CO2 - time to go w/ a canister or sump. If you're injecting CO2, that pretty well leaves sumps out.

Once you decide on canister, Eheim Classics are the best, I might try a FX5 or Via Aqua can if I couldn't (ever) get an Eheim.

Pass on Eheim pro, eco etc. They absolutely nailed it w/ the classic series. Everything since is just a poor effort to introduce something new...

 

[excuzzzeme]

I have 2 Fluval 303's. In spite of them being ancient and getting harder to find parts for, I have to say they are so quiet that if not for the water movement in the tank I would think them to be not working. Yes, they prolly do allow for some water bypass, none-the-less, they do a wonderful job at filtering.

 

[Sigrid]

Hello,
I have several Eheim filters in service, the older green round filters, anything from the small:
#2211 for a 20 g. tall tank - community
#2215 for a 55 g. tank - community
#2217 for a 55 g. tank with 2 large piggish Goldfish who like to dig in sand
#2315 for a 125 g. tank with built-in-heater in the cover - community

Several of these filters I purchased at MAS + CNYAS auctions for little money.
I like the quiet performance AND the fact that the intake is at bottom of the filter, far from the impellers. All are equipped with the aquarium quick connect faucets, because that makes for easier removal of a heavy filter filled with material and water. The quick connectors also make it easy to keep the intake hose filled with water.

I used to have screaming fits before I could get the flow of water going - after cleaning the filter.
No more screams, just a sigh of relief.
***
Have no experience with Fluval.