Eheim 2213 Value ?

[moochy13]

apologies for another filter thread, but i think i have some ideas what i want. i currently have an eheim 2213, about 4 months old i think. its doing the job, but i want a bigger filter without spending silly money. what im looking at, from charterhouse aquatics are :

eheim 2215 with media, hoses and taps for 72 quid

tetratec ex700, far as i can tell comes with nothing. 72 quid

fluval 206, comes with some media, 79 quid.

so they are the options, as you can see 80 quid is the max i want to spend, of which id hope to make a good bit back selling my eheim.

the 2213 i have is rated at 440 LPH, and my tank is just under 140L. im not after huge flow, i just want cleaner water as my tank is overstocked.

the 2215 is rated at 620lph, the TT ex700 at 700lph, and the fluval at 780.

1. i completely trust eheim, but have some reservations about fluval and TT. the filter needs to be as quiet as possible, its in my bedroom not in a cabinet. ive read about the TT leaking, and read about fluval not being as amazing as you might think.

2. does anybody know what size pipe the 3 filters ive listed use ? would be handy if its the same as what i currently have.

3. anybody who has brought these from charterhouse, what did you get in the box exactly, media and pipe wise ?

4. whats my 2213 worth ? i will be keeping the media, and selling the pipe will depend on if i can re-use it or not.

5. anybody using the tt ex700, how much more did it cost for the extra bits, and what media are you using ?

im really torn between them. the eheim i know is going to be great, and is great value, but its got the least flow, so less of an upgrade. it would also mean i could sell pipework and some media with my 2213, getting me mroe money back. the fluval has most flow, but i could be looking at extra expenditure, on top of it being the most expensive. the tt is probably the least attractive option to be honest, seems with no media included, and not the most flow.

thanks for any help.

 

[Box]

Why not get another 2213
You could pick one up for about £20 to £30 pounds second hand and run both
As above if you sell yours max amount your get is £20 to £30 if your lucky

 

[Juggler75]

I could be wrong but aren't the actual rates closer to the claimed rates for eheims. So changing to the filters being considered could well be a backward step, unless of course you go with the 2215. I run a 2215 on a 96l and am happy with that, no change in pipework when stepped up from 2213.

 

[moochy13]

Why not get another 2213
You could pick one up for about £20 to £30 pounds second hand and run both
As above if you sell yours max amount your get is £20 to £30 if your lucky

thanks for the info. i dont want 2 sets of pipes going in the tank, and dont have a spare plug socket either. and id rather only have 1 filter to clean.

the 2215 is certainly my favoured option, especially if as you say the pipework is the same. i need to find that thread where the actual flow rates of media filled filters was being talked about......... i cant believe that a fluval rated at 780lph would be a backwards step from my 440lph rated 2213. i would expect drop off, but that much ? if im going to be spending 50-60 quid net, i want to be able to notice the difference.

edit - ok, so it seems common knowledge that eheim rates are with media and pipes, would the fluval and TT drop off to a level with the eheim ?

if the 2213 and 2215 use the same size pipe, anybody know if the 2217 uses the same size aswell ? ive only ever seen eheim taps in one size, but ive seen various size eheim pipe.

 

[Juggler75]

Think the 2217 uses larger pipework for intake (16/20?) But the 12/16 for output. Sure an owner can confirm or deny

 

[moochy13]

i might be able to get a fluval 305 for cheap, but im reading mixed reports about them. bearing in mind im not paying new prices for it, would it be worth my while ?

 

[minnnt]

Why would the TetraTEC come with nothing?

It should come with everything you need including ceramic rings, bio balls, sponges and floss and all pipework.

http/www.charterhouse-aquatics.co.uk/catalog/tetratec-ex700-external-filter-p-1414.html

 

[moochy13]

if you read the eheim and fluval write ups, it purposely mentions including media and pipework in the box. this doesnt happen on the TT writeup, which makes me think its not included. may just be an ommission from the website though, but thats why i asked.

 

[nurglespuss]

Hey there,

I know its not on your list of considered filters, but I purchased a brand new JBL e700 for £59 and its a pretty cool bit of kit, big capacity too.

If it were me, of the list you've given, I would go with the Fluval every time.

 

[minnnt]

LOL! So you was really just expecting to get an empty filter with no pipework either? Really?

TBH my opinion would be to find an EX1200 second hand... they roughly go for about £50 and will leave the 2213/2215/ex700/205/305 for dead...

 

[moochy13]

right ok, seen as im in no rush i'll give it a month or so to find one secondhand. is there anything i should look out for ? i think i read that early versions had problems or something ?

 

[minnnt]

Earlier models had a faulty hose adaptor. Something which TetraTEC recognised and altered the design by adding a double seal. They also sent out the new version to anyone who rang their customer services team to report the problem. The new ones are fine though. I've had 3 in total, currently have 2. I have one of the older ones with the new adaptor and a new one which is about 4 months old. Both run silently with no issues what so ever.

BUT... if you're happy with Eheim then try and source a 2217 as you are already familiar with their design etc... And your media will be more of a direct swap rather than mess about cutting, stretching and replacing the TetraTEC shaped media.

Also, just so you know, the EX700 will come with this out of the box:

 

[moochy13]

is there a way to know visually if you have the new improved filter ? or is buying second hand going to be potluck ? was it an instant failure, or something that gradually happened ?

 

[minnnt]

The newer ones say Tetratec and the older ones say Tetra at the base of the filter.


Also the new hose adaptor has lines on the lever, like this (inbetween the taps)

 

[wilsonian]

A few years ago I changed from a Ehiem 2213 to a Ex700 and (touch wood) haven't had any issues. The one major thing I like about the ex700 is how easy it is to clean. My only concern is the suckers on the pipe kit failed after 12 months so had to buy some after market ones.