Eheim Classic Size

[TarkMalbot]

I am planning on replacing the trickle filter system on my Aquaone 850 for an external system.  I am currently planning on buying a Eheim Classic but not sure what the best size would be.
 
At present my Aquaone Power head is rated at 1000 lph but the tank is only 165 litres.  The Eheim classic filter for a tank of this size (say the 250) only has a flow of 440 lph.  Will this be suitable for a planted tank or is it worth spending the extra and getting the bigger 350 or even 600 or will the extra power and 1000 lph be too much circulation?
 
Thanks,
Mark.

 

[TarkMalbot]

Update....
 
Looking on the Eheim website it gives details of the approx size of auarium and the max size of aquarium.  The Approx size of aquarium for use with the 600 is 180 litres so I am thinking that will be spot on for a 165 litre tank.

 

[DrRob]

It's slightly confusing as they're called different things in the UK and the US. Still eheim classic but different coding.
 
Worth remembering that eheim quote all of their flow rates with media, whereas most don't. That and that all manufactures vastly overestimate the size of tank that the filter can handle unless it's understocked.

 

[TarkMalbot]

Ordered a 600 anyway. 

 
Now I just need to get my head around what filter medias I will use (including what I used from my old system to avoid crashing the cycle).

 

[DrRob]

They generally come with some perfectly acceptable media. Although my classic is now full of an unholy hybrid of what was established media at the time when it was reset up each time. Currently a mix of sponge, alfagrog, floss and it's original media.

 

[phantomlink]

Ordered a 600 anyway. 

 
Now I just need to get my head around what filter medias I will use (including what I used from my old system to avoid crashing the cycle).

The Classic 600/2217 comes with media already.  It has rings that look like Biomax which go on the very bottom, the blue sponge to stop debris ( I have no idea why they dont want this one first ), then the little round brown balls they call EHFIsubstrat.  There are no trays so I suggest also picking up some media holding bags or else when maintenance time comes its a pain to remove each layer and try to wash all the media in tank water. The Classic series doesnt offer a priming function like the Professional series but I found a way that worked easily for me.  Because of the quick release valves once you have it setup once your good to go until you empty all the water out of the tank and the canister.
 
I would hook everything up and open the latches on the canister like I was taking off the lid.  This creates a suction which pulls water into the canister.  Watch the water level carefully and when it gets near the top, push back down on the lid ( always apply pressure, if you dont the lid will come off and your going to have a flood ) and reclasp the locks and your good to go.  You could always fill it about 85% of the way with tank water as well before installing the hoses just make sure the valves are closed

 

It's slightly confusing as they're called different things in the UK and the US. Still eheim classic but different coding.
 
Worth remembering that eheim quote all of their flow rates with media, whereas most don't. That and that all manufactures vastly overestimate the size of tank that the filter can handle unless it's understocked.

The Eheim Classic 600 is the 2217

 

[TarkMalbot]

Ordered a 600 anyway. 

 
Now I just need to get my head around what filter medias I will use (including what I used from my old system to avoid crashing the cycle).

The Classic 600/2217 comes with media already.  It has rings that look like Biomax which go on the very bottom, the blue sponge to stop debris ( I have no idea why they dont want this one first ), then the little round brown balls they call EHFIsubstrat.  There are no trays so I suggest also picking up some media holding bags or else when maintenance time comes its a pain to remove each layer and try to wash all the media in tank water. The Classic series doesnt offer a priming function like the Professional series but I found a way that worked easily for me.  Because of the quick release valves once you have it setup once your good to go until you empty all the water out of the tank and the canister.
 
I would hook everything up and open the latches on the canister like I was taking off the lid.  This creates a suction which pulls water into the canister.  Watch the water level carefully and when it gets near the top, push back down on the lid ( always apply pressure, if you dont the lid will come off and your going to have a flood ) and reclasp the locks and your good to go.  You could always fill it about 85% of the way with tank water as well before installing the hoses just make sure the valves are closed

 

>It's slightly confusing as they're called different things in the UK and the US. Still eheim classic but different coding.
 
Worth remembering that eheim quote all of their flow rates with media, whereas most don't. That and that all manufactures vastly overestimate the size of tank that the filter can handle unless it's understocked.

The Eheim Classic 600 is the 2217
 

 
Thanks for that information.  From thier website the photo shows different media to what you have just said?  EHFIMECH, 1 coarse filter pad, EHFISUBSTRAT, 1 fine filter pad, and 1 carbon filter pad.

 
http/www.eheim.com/en_GB/products/technology/external-filters/classic-600
 
But I will want to put some of my existing filter media in there anyway to start with or I will lose my cycle.

 

[phantomlink]

That picture shows the ones without media that are mostly just sponge, if you did buy the 2217/600 ( like 286gph I believe ) which comes  with the stuff you mentioned, just put your mature media ( biomax, or whatever ceramic rings you might have for most of the bacteria ) on the very top layer after the blue sponge.  Ofc put your mature media on the very bottom of the new stuff so it will seed it quicker.  As usual remove the carbon and you can add more floss if you have some or more media itself

 

[TarkMalbot]

Do you mean the very bottom layer under the blue sponge as the very top layer wouldn't be above the blue sponge but above the carbon sponge (or white sponge if I remove the carbon).

Sorry just got a little confused there.

 

[DrRob]

Take blue sponge, put in bottom of filter. Add biomedia. Finally add filter floss/white thingy if you want it.
 
Take carbon sponge and put it in a cupboard somewhere.

 

[phantomlink]

The way their instructions are, they want the EHFImech ( looks like biomax but smooth ) in first, then the sponge, then the EHFISubstrat then wool.  It makes more sense to me to use the sponge first before the EHFImech but I guess they're both mechanical filtration so either way should work

 

[TarkMalbot]

I have a tub of Purigen too but I need to get a "BAG" for that first! 
Thanks for the help guys.