Fluval 105 Or Eheim 2213?

[lucasluke]

Hey - I am in a debate on whether to get the fluval or eheim. The tank is 48 litres and is currently running on a little internal which I don't think is quite adequate.

I am wondering, for the Eheim how do you clean all the media? To clean the blue sponge at the bottom you have to take all the bio media out which is just time consuming? I also understand that the Eheim has the mechanical noodle things at the bottom - how are you supposed to clean them if there right at the bottom?

Thanks

 

[karawr]

Hmm well for an eheim it's all about how you setup your media. I have a 2217.

I have 4 sponges on the bottom and then ceramic rings fill up the rest. For the ceramic rings, just get one of those mesh bags so you just pull out the bag and voila. Cleaning is easy.

Not sure how to compare it to a fluval as I've never owned one. But I'm pleased with my eheim.

 

[raptorrex]

Hey - I am in a debate on whether to get the fluval or eheim. The tank is 48 litres and is currently running on a little internal which I don't think is quite adequate.

I am wondering, for the Eheim how do you clean all the media? To clean the blue sponge at the bottom you have to take all the bio media out which is just time consuming? I also understand that the Eheim has the mechanical noodle things at the bottom - how are you supposed to clean them if there right at the bottom?

Thanks

Yes, now way around it,. you have to remover the media to clean it! pain in the butt, true, but the same for every external.
media plan for 2213, from bottom up is:
blues sponge,
Ring media,
Blue sponge,
bio media,
White polishing pad.
DO NOT PUT RINGS IN A MESH BAG

@karawr
I hope you are not using Eheim "rings". if so, you have little area for bacteria. Eheim rings are none porous. and designed to be TOTALLY mechanical. though most other rings are porous and work, reasonably as bio media.
and a mesh bag for the "rings". totally disrupts how they are supposed to work. leading to extra cleaning, with poor filter flow and efficiency.

 

[lucasluke]

So your using the EHEIM substrat for your bio media?

Or some other kind? DO you use the mechanical ceramic rings?

 

[raptorrex]

So your using the EHEIM substrat for your bio media?

Or some other kind? DO you use the mechanical ceramic rings?

yes, I use Efhi Substrate pro for bio media.
yes i set my filter up, just as i stated in my first post.