Good filter for planted aquaria

[tfish]

I need a good filter for my planted 55 gallon aquarium. I have an Emperor 400 on it now, but have found that to be a big hassle. The excess surface turbulance, the biowheels, and the carbon filter plates make it very difficult to keep CO2 and nutrients in my water for plant growth. I am looking at going to canister filters. I am looking at the Eheim ECCO 2213 and the Eheim 2233. Does anyone have any experience with these or have any advice as to which way I should go? Or does anyone have any other suggestions for a good (and not too outrageously priced--I'm pretty poor) canister filter?

Thanks!

 

[Rocketman]

For my 60 Gallon, planted, I am using an Eheim 2026, Pro II. I bought it at Bigalsonline.com with the filter media - it wasn't cheap (159.99) but not a penny was wasted on it.
When I started shopping for a filter, I needed one that was relativly cheap, extremly quiet, (bedroom use,) low maintence, and would not need expensive media replacements often. I found this with this Eheim Model. I have cleaned it once since I installed it on Christmas Day, (Dec. 25th,) 2002. It didn't really need it though, and it is still going with a good flow rate.

I originally considered getting the ECHO model you mentioned too, because I was enticed by it's low price. But, the 2026 was recomended to me here, and the ECHO was shot down. The 2026 has a self-primer, (useful, I've found,) and many other often-used features. Granted, it filters more than you need, (between 50-90 Gallon Tanks, says the supplier,) but that is never a bad thing - you can't have too much filtration. It is extremly quiet - so quiet that even if I leave the cabinet door open, I couldn't tell it was on.

Feel free to PM me with any questions you have, I'm glad to help.