Well I already have an Eheim 2217 which is excellent for what it is...but its not a good mechanical filter when you really stock your tank. You begin to see poop and debris floating everywhere in your tank. Now my last two tanks were overstocked (goldfish and then mbuna tank) and the Eheim had its work cut out for it.....but still the poop that could have gotten sucked up would just pass by the intake and not get sucked up. Its the only frustrating thing I have about this filter.
Its been dead silent although lately i think i may need to replace the impellor due to wear. Its been running practically nonstop for over a year and a half now.
I'm going to try it for now but if I'm still not satisfied I need to go with something that has suction power....300 gph....or a manufacturer's rating of that....doesn't do all that much. It needs to be external and I'm going to hook a mechanical filter, biological filter, and heater up to it too. Like I said I may just go with Lifeguard.
I've also been looking into setting up my own DIY system that uses a whole house filter canister and pleated filter...maybe. I could hook them up back to back and hook an external heater up to the return tube.
My only problems in this are finding the right gph pump and it being silent. When I say the right gph I mean it has to be just right because I'm going to have a live planted tank and I don't want too much current....yet I need it to be powerful enough to suck up poop/etc......going to be a balancing act I suppose.
Like I said the Eheim may just be perfect for me afterall...time will tell?
