Juwel Filters Problem?.. & Eheim Info..

[Squid]

The 2215 is not self priming, it needs a good suck on the outlet pipe before you join the hoses together to get it flowing.

Self priming just means that there is a lever or plunger to get the syphon going but once the filter is going you very very rarely need to prime it again.

Thanks

Squid

 

[Phoenixfish]

well im getting the fluval duo deep 800 set, which comes with the fluval 3+ and ive heard that much stuff about im not sure if i want the filter in it really, its dumps all the gunk when lifted out being a main one suppose i could just not bother with that and go for a different set up hmm
but ill prob stay with fluval

first change that to the 1000 model, (ive got to wait two months so i might as well go larger if i can )
second i was considering buying a second fluval 3+ or 4+ as they are cheap £20-40, but after what CFC

The trouble with juwel filters is that they are designed with the continental European hobby in mind, that is keeping very heavily planted tanks with just a small ammount of small fish. The British and American hobbies tend to concentrate on the live stock and add plants only as a finishing touch in most cases so the filter is put under a lot more strain than it was ever meant to. As an example the Rio 300 and 400 models come with a powerhead that pushes 1000 litres of water per hour, that is a turn over of just over 3 times an hour for the 300 and even less for the 400 when the recomended turn over for any tank is usually at least 5 times per hour in the Anglo/American hobby.

My advise is to remove the juwel filter completely and replace it with a suitable sized eheim canister, the classic 2215 model would suit your tank very well or if you have more money to spend a pro 2. I would advise against the ecco models as their design means you get a slower flow rate than advertised and the pipes clog regularly in my experience. BTW i run all my larger tanks including my 205 and 180 gallon set ups on Eheim 2217 filters, for reliabilty and effectiveness you cant go wrong.

but should i get a Eheim? and run it along witht he fluval (im most likely going to go two filter anyway)
as i plan to have a heavy plant and stock tank?
as i want the best and most reliable, prefibly amaximum of £50-100

 

[Tolak]

You could take the media from whichever filter you are running, and add it to the Eheim. The filter case is just that, a case that holds the media, allowing water to flow through it. The container doesn't cycle, the media does.

THe Ecco line is more of an entry level designed for smaller tanks. Less powerful pump, less media capacity, but it does have a couple of convenience features such as media baskets & a self prime.

The 2213, 15, and 17 are the traditional standard Eheim canisters. No self prime, no media baskets, but one great pump. These are probably the best bang for your buck, if you can do without the media baskets & self prime.

The pros have media baskets, but no self prime. Same great pump.

The pro IIs have the self prime, media baskets, flow adjustment, with a flow indicator. Plenty of bells & whistles, you want a light under your stand to display your filter as well as your tank with one of these.

So far I have a 2232, 2222, 2224, 2026, & 2215. Just picked up the 2215 at an auction over the weekend, $10, like new, with media & doube shutoffs. It even came with the manual.

 

[Phoenixfish]

*reads asecond time round* ahh oops my bad it needs to be internal ideally
and also i dont see why i cant run the two together (unless the flow is too strong)
what model would u surgest and how much would it cost me aprrox (new)

 

[Bloo]

I was going to give you my 2p, but see you already know what I did in my tank !

Yes, I removed it completely and replaced with an eheim 2224. Easy Peasy and works a dream now. I'd stay away from Ecco's. For the tiny bit extra you could go for a 2215 would be great value for money. The Pro2 range which is much more expensive with the self-prime etc. would be really nice if you have the extra dosh to spend. However, once you have the knack of priming, it's a doddle and takes 2 seconds to get going again. But that said, the first time it took me (almost) blood, sweat (a lot) and tears (just about brimming) and 2 hours (!!!) to get it going

It's a lovely step to take away from the Juwel internal - you'll love an Eheim external - no doubt about that

Edit: one of the reasons I hate Juwel internals, is the gunk (especially dead plant matter) that builds up in the dead space at the bottom as well as those 2 cylinder bits at the back. I also had small fish trapped down there a couple of times when that little top bit didn't stay put. It was messy to say the least. Especially when I lost 2 Kuhli's that got mangled in the filter

 

[Phoenixfish]

well the 3+ is gone then, one of the main reasons why is because im hopefully gettign a heavly planted tank so could use a desent filter, and i might just not bother witht he 3+ at all (was origianaly goign to run it together with the second filter)
ill have a look at the prices etc too,
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hmm isnt there any internal ones? or would i be able to fit the canister in the fluval 1000 stand stand?
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forget the internals they are tiny

also is there any parts id need to buy or is it a complete filter? i.e. heads? tube parts?
(sorry for being so dependent but this is my first proper tank )
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(edited again )
alright i think i will go for the Eheim 2215 for about £75, also i looked at the oxygen defuser is there a point? although i do quite like the white water efect but i dont think ill bother,
now ive just got to wait and save money...two months to go...

 

[Squid]

Well.. my minds made up.. and ive placed an order.

I went for the

Eheim 2026 Professional II - with media for £99.95.. which i thought was a good bargain.

It was that or the fluval 405.. but after some sound advice from bloozoo2, and the eheim recommendations from CFC and other, i figure that it was a good choice for my Rio180 at that price range..

Thanks for your help

Squid

 

[Phoenixfish]

wow, id order that if a) i had the tank and B) if i could buy online, my mums scared of giving details over the net, so ill ask my dad to get it, when i next see him

 

[Squid]

wow, id order that if a) i had the tank and B) if i could buy online, my mums scared of giving details over the net, so ill ask my dad to get it, when i next see him

I like it.. if mum says no, ask dad..

i wanted to check a couple of things with them.. like a proper delivery date, which determined whether i had it delivered to home or work.. so i did it over the phone.. same price.. the numbers on the site if that helps your mum..

Squid

 

[Phoenixfish]

that might help alittle but there ant much point at the moment but ill definatly try it again if the offers still on in 2 months and ive got another problem with internal filters...
my new baby cory died within the last day or two and was hiden behind it
great for you moral have a fish die within a week, oh well, when i get a larger tank it will be ok

 

[Squid]

, oh well, when i get a larger tank it will be ok

Not entirely true im afraid.. i'm speaking from experience... (not necessarily good... i dont mean years.. more of an "ive been there and suffered "

All i can say is. research research research research research .. which i know you are doing on here.

Even with a fishless cycle, where you can add more fish.. there are plenty of considerations..

The bad thing about a fishless cycle is that because you can stock more heavily in the first place, it means that many people (like me with my panda cory's) add some fish that are a little fragile and prefer a more mature tank.. mature doesnt mean good stats for the time being, it means that the tank has been up and running and matured for a few months, maybe 6.

My stats were great after the fishless cycle, but its still a new tank, and ive been having problems like those described in the beginning of this thread.

If you can get that extra filter.. i would.. it all helps it seems.

Good luck

Squid

 

[Phoenixfish]

first off i ment about the fish in general, it will allow me to support the numbers that are ideal,

im going to have to do a fish cycle,as the space would be benificial, but ill have plenty of seed

yep ive changed my intial ideas completely since i got my fish, and had a brain wave a few nights ago turning my two month wait into a mini miracle, it gives me the time to do more reseach and gather funds for the next model tank up

the one think ive got to be carefull is stocking it up slow and steady

well ill end up with two filters a eheim one (not quite sure just yet) and the fluval3+ that coems with,
i will prob sell that off as new (if i get the other filter before the tank) and then use the eheim uptill i am about half stocked and then buy a second filter,
because the fluval has a ch*p history with planted tanks and thats what im after (amason style, slate sand heavy plants etc