Eheim Filters.

[Lufbramatt]

I run two eheim filters- a pro thermo and a pro3 (2073). never had any problems whatsoever with either of them. However, I did buy both of them second hand when they were both about 6 months old, and hadn't had any problems with the first owners, so I knew they were "good ones" so to speak. The issues seem to show up fairly early. Also meant they were a lot cheaper- paid £70 for the pro, with RRP of £135, and £90 for the pro3 which had RRP of £150ish. Wouldn't ever pay full price for one as they come up fairly often on the classifieds on here or ebay.

 

[Jenks74]

Well... Took the plunge and after much contemplating went for the 2217. Went for the 'plus' model, so got the taps etc with it an also ordered the 'offical' eheim media - paid £114 with delivery so quite happy with that.

Was seriously thinking about the 'pro 3' range, but just read far to many negative comments to risk it - and to be honest pretty much like the set-up on the classic where the water HAS to go through the media/an not just take the easiest route through the sponges.

When i've had it set-up for a week or two i'll comment back an let everybody know how it's been getting on.

Thanks to everyone for your advice

 

[soybean]

I doubt you'll regret it, it's difficult to fault their overall performance.

 

[deftuch]

Can someone reccomend a good and quiet external filter for my 260 litre tank. I have a internL fluval u2 and u3. I also have a some plants that constantly make mess. So when it comes to cleaning my filter out. It all ends up back in the water as im taking the filter out. Im looking for something in the price range of 40 to 80 pounds. I plan to keep my u3 ajd replace the u2 with an external one. Please only recomend something if you have one! As noise is very important for me. It must be ultra quiet because noise bugs me and isnt good for the fish.

 

[deftuch]

lol

 

[Jenks74]

Well finally setup my eheim 2217 tonight (it did arrived yesterday but didnt think that the girlfriend would of been to happy with me setting it up on valentines day lol).

Got to say that upon taking it out of the box, was really impressed with the build quality. Seem's alot more 'solid' than my fluval, an really do like the way that there can be no by-pass for any water through the sponges.

Guessing that it took me about an hour to take out/dis-connect my fluval, an to set up the eheim - instruction wise though the eheim is absolutely shocking regarding the manual. Luckily it's not to hard to figure out, as long as you've got a little bit of a clue on what your doing (although i did phone up the shop were it came from, as i thought i was missing bits lol).

It was alot easier to prime than what i was expecting, all i done was suck on the return from the pump an it started to prime really easily. One thing that i'm not to keen on is the 'pre-formed' plastic i guess that you would call them 'shepherds crock'? I've quite a big lip on my tank, an they only just cleared it - i guess that maybe if you had the installation kits there maybe other fittings in there.

There seem's to be a fair ol' flow coming out of the spray bar, not a torrent but enough - guess we'll have to see what it's like in a couple of weeks when it starts to get 'gunked' up. Also the actual pump is nosier than what i thought it was going to be, i've read alot of reviews where the person reviewing it would say that the pump is silent - it's definatly not silent as can still hear abit of a 'hum' if i listen carefully but it's definatly quiter than my fluval.

Overall i'm quite impressed for such an 'old school' type filter. It seem's to be a no nonsense, well made bit of kit that i should of bought in the begining - instead of messing around with different types of externals.

I'll post back in a week or so and let everybody know about the water clarity and flow etc, so keep your eyes peeled for another exciting post from me lol.

Over all: More than happy, glad that i bought it

 

[soybean]

Mine was a little noisier than I expected at first but it had settled down a lot and is much quieter - I can only hear it if I'm listening for it.

You won't get a totally silent even hum-free filter, if you find you have one it probably isn't plugged in

 

[Jenks74]

Well been just over a week since i've had the 2217 setup, and overall i'm really happy with it.

Water clarity is the clearest that it's been since i've owned the tank, it's pretty much cleaned up the trouble that i had before with the tiny particles floating around so got to give it 10 out of 10 for filtration.

If anybody is on the market for a new filter, even though the design is 'years old' it beats all externals that i've used hands down. As some people have said there is a fairly low flow rate, but as the 2217 is rated up to a 600l tank an on my 250l the flow is spot on.

So if your after a new external get the eheim 2217.

 

[magpie]

I have the 2217 - it gets quieter as it settles in. I read to tip it a bit from side to side at first to help get things settled down and air pockets out. I really can't hear it running now unless I open the cabinet to the tank and get under there.

 

[Liam2368]

im tempted to opt for two 2217s for my trigon 350 whats there actual output like and is there enough room to add noodles and purigen and other bio media?

 

[Jenks74]

im tempted to opt for two 2217s for my trigon 350 whats there actual output like and is there enough room to add noodles and purigen and other bio media?

The actual filter cannister is really like a bucket with a hole at the bottom, that you can customise what ever way that you like.
When my filter arrived all that it had with it was sponge filter's (about 6 or 7 seperate layer's of blue filter sponge, along with a carbon mat and a fine floss filter mat), so i bought the separate eheim substrate along with it, an it's been spot on.
I'd say that two 2217's would be ideal, for a 350l but there is a couple of bigger model classics in the range that maybe better - not sure what there like, but could imagine that they'd be pretty good.

 

[raptorrex]

im tempted to opt for two 2217s for my trigon 350 whats there actual output like and is there enough room to add noodles and purigen and other bio media?

I quite agree, the 2217 is not up to a 350, on its own.
as for its flow.
1000lph pump
700 (ish)lph. media dependent. (box states 790lph)
so 2, would give you a comfortable 4x flow. adequate, if not ideal.

anyone considering a 2x flow to be enough for a tank, might like to think again.

I'd also recommend you change to ceramic media. it gives more flow. and a larger media area, for longer than sponges do. Eheim do a pack for the 2217, its not cheap true, but worth it.