Filter Comparison

[Undawada]

Hi.

I am currently in the planning stage of setting up a new 55 US gallon tank, and am considering different filter combinations. I'm probably going to have more than one type of filtration, canister + HOB or something similar.

These are some filters I'm considering:

Eheim 2215
Fluval 304
Aquaclear 70 (formerly Aquaclear 300)
Marineland Penguin Bio Wheel 170

The Eheim is $220, the Fluval is $120 the Aquaclear is $48, and the Bio Wheel is $30

The Eheim has the lowest flow rate, but the highest price.

(for the record the flow rates are
Eheim = 164 GPH
Fluval 304 = 260 GPH
Aquaclear = 300 GPH
Bio Wheel = 170 GPH)

I read the article about bio wheels and how they maximize efficiency by exposing more bacteria to oxygen during its filter cycle.

I've used Aquaclears until this point in my hobby, and have had good luck with them.

Do canister filters somehow work more efficiently? Is the extra cost justified?

 

[freddyk]

The benefits to the eheim is that you get what you pay for (the quality is exceptional, the filter is silent). In addition the 2215 classic model design makes it one of the only filters where there is absolutely no water bypass. The lower flow rate improves biological filtration, but weakens it's mechanical capabilities of drawing in debris.

That said, as an owner of both those canister filters I'd say I'm just as happy with the fluval despite its shoddier quality plastic, and while it isn't silent like the eheim it's quiet enough for me. All things considered, the extra money doesn't pay off unless you've got endless pockets anyway.

I'm a big aquaclear fan, and I've never found a biological difference between them and the bio-wheel filter. The higher flow rate will make the A/C a better mechanical filter then the penguin, and trust me, those sponges hold a heckofalot of bacteria.

Unless you are strapped for cash I highly recommend going with both a canister and an HOB. I'd certainly opt for an AC and a Fluval over a single Eheim. All my tanks are run off this combo and I find it a great setup that uses the best of both types of filtration. My AC's pick up most of the crud due to the flow rate, and I can happily give them a good thorough cleaning knowing my canisters have the bio-filtration in hand. In addition having intakes and exhausts on both ends of the tank helps a lot.

 

[CFC]

The fluval has a huge bypass rate which allows for its seemingly larger flow rate, i have known people to run fluvals for 6 months without maintainance only to find the sponges almost clean when they come to clean them out, somewhat worrying i think. I run Eheim classics (2217s) on all my larger tanks and have never been disapointed with their performance though i add additional powerheads (eheim aquaballs) to provide water movement in the tanks.

Id go for a combination of the eheim and aquaclear myself to get great biological filtration from the Eheim and a good turn over of water and flow rate from the aquaclear.

 

[beblondie]

I use eheim 2215 and Aquaclears on my tanks and am very satisfied with them -Anne

 

[swampcat]

Save yourself a ton of money. An AC-500 will do the job alone. Has tons of room for any media you want to use and can use any media used in a canister. Buy bulk media and use filter bags. Can add a little floss or cut to fit filter pads by marineland, you name it and it will fit in an AC-500..

An AC-500 now called the 110 is about $39 at www.petsmart.com $75 in store!

I have one on my 55 and two on my 100 (500's). Crystle clear water and perfect water paramiters .

 

[lizard]

I have an Eheim 2213 and I love it. It's the first canister filter I've ever owned, but I don't plan to ever buy any other brand canister filter. I got mine on eBay (no way could I afford it new!). Haven't used the other brands, but I have no complaints with my Eheim. It's incredibly quiet, too, which is nice.

What's the bypass rate?

Pamela
aka Married Lizard

 

[Iron Man]

I've had an Eheim 2217 on my 55 gallon one many different types of fish setups and its an excellent canister filter. That being said...its no mechanical filter and if you stock your tank with many fish you will see poop everywhere. If I only had a few fish in my 55 gallon the Eheim would be the only filter I'd ever swear by. Its solid and if taken care of(dont be dropping it out of the backs of trucks or anything) will last you a lifetime

The best mechanical filters are HOBs (aquaclear is the best, emperor 400 is next) and will provide TONS of water circulation. The only drawback to these filters is they can make noise, especially the Emperor 400, which can also be bad about making micro bubbles throughout the tank due to surface agitation.

If I were you and had the money....I'd go with Lifeguard Rainbow filtration. Hands down the best choice, it will do everything better than all of them. That's what I'm going to eventually.

Good luck.

David

 

[Undawada]

If I were you and had the money....I'd go with Lifeguard Rainbow filtration

Never heard of that... I will research it though.

I have an Eheim 2213 ... I got mine on eBay (no way could I afford it new!)

Good idea, I've been checking local classifieds, I never thought of eBay

Anyone else have their $0.02 to add?

 

[Undawada]

What's the bypass rate?

That's how much water bypasses the filter media and flows out unfiltered.

Example, if a 200 GPH (Gallons per Hour) filter had a 70% bypass rate (a lot of bypass), the amount of water it actually filters would be 60 GPH, where a 100 GPH filter with a 0% bypass rate (very good filter) would actually filter 100 GPH.

edit: grammar nightmare

 

[Discomafia]

If I were you and had the money....I'd go with Lifeguard Rainbow filtration

Never heard of that... I will research it though.

Yea, I'm not surprised. They're pond filters, and you'll prolly be buying the smallest filter in their range of products... Gfo for a AC500, more than enough I should think. Or a smaller rated AC and a canister, if you have the cash. Good luck in setting your tank up Matt. I expect it to be fully running and all when I'm back from holidays in August.

 

[Iron Man]

I don't know where you get this info from. There are some commercial/industry grade filters, and the smallest size probably is what most people would use, but they're not "pond filters".

http/www.pentairaquatics.com/products.html

Click on their 'aquarium products' and you will see the modular filtration I'm talking about....click on their 'pond products' and you will see their pond fitration line that has nothing to do with their modular line.

I would stress that this probably isn't as simple an undertaking as setting up something else and was wondering lately whether it would be good for most. If I could just find something that would take care of most of the debris (detritus/rotting plant parts) in my water I'd be very satisfied with my Eheim. I'm gonna try some snails and shrimp to help combat it.

Good luck with your setup!

 

[Iron Man]

Just wanted to add....I agree with Discomafia. If I weren't using a lot of live plants and CO2 injection I'd use a couple of AC500s. More than enough filtration for you tank.......mechanical AND bio. A canister wouldn't be necessary IMO. This if you're not worried about a little hum or surface water splashing everynow and then.

 

[Discomafia]

Did some reading thru' my Big Al's Product Guide and it seems you're right Iron Man. Pardon me, I must have been thinking of another brand. ) I think that filtration depends on plant and fish load, so once you have that settled, it'll be easier to decide.

 

[Iron Man]

No problem disco....I was just kinda bewildered as to why it was being called a 'pond filter'.

And again I think you were right in that if no plants are used AQ filters would probably be the best.

 

[Angry_Platy]

Get an Eheim and an Aquaclear. Both are easy to maintain.

I have a Fluval, an AC and an Eheim (all combined differently on different tanks). I find the fluval the hardest of all filters to maintain.....simply reconnecting the Fluval causes me hours of grief when it spits out bubles and debris for many hours. ANNOYING to say the least.

As for the filter pads on the Fluval being clean (I think CFC said this), I cleaned mine out the other day after not having cleaned them for 4 months and they were FILTHY!!! Like, so bad I had to replace 2 of the pads.