View Full Version : Fluval vs. Eheim.
Mr. Bill
12-11-2003, 1:42 PM
Well, years back, I used to have a Fluvel external canister for my 40 gallon, and loved it! It was the old "round" canister in which you could pull the WHOLE 3-stage media baskets out at once, for super easy maintenance and cleaning.
But the new Fluvals look more complicated and appear to be a pain to clean, even the sponges are separated in their own "side compartments" that need to be stuffed down to the bottom.
I'm wondering if I should move to the Eheim canister this time. It's for a small 20 gallon freshwater. Money is no object though, and I'm wondering what is the best external they offer for a 20 gallon. The Eheim "Pro Series" appears to start at 92 gallon tanks, which is overkill. I want a nice water flow, not a typhoon.
I wish Fluval stuck with simplicity in design, because now I'm considering to look elsewhere for something that's as efficient, but simple to clean. I guess I'm just a clean freak when it comes to my fish, with often cleanings. But, maybe the new Fluval designs have an advantage that I'm just not seeing.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I've just been out of the aquarium loop for about 8 years now, and not sure what is best now-a-days.
Thanks again.
Bill in San Deigo
125gJoe
12-11-2003, 2:38 PM
The 2 canisters I suggest, are the Rena Filstar models and Fluvals. Ehiem is 'harder' to find and more expensive.
There's nothing complicated about the filters and the newer models have been improved.
Kagh't
12-11-2003, 2:43 PM
Eheims are definatly the best models to go for, they're leaps and bounds over the competition.
If money is no object, then go for the eheim wet/dry series, it is overkill as to the filtration power, but they are the best.
other wise it's the pro and pro 2 series, both of which are very good, the ecco series, which is more suited to the smaller tanks, and the classic series, which is bog standard.
pop over to eheim.com and take a look at their comparision charts for the filter that you think will be best.
Leopardess
12-11-2003, 2:43 PM
Yup, nothing wrong with the "new" fluvals imo. They're still easy to clean and less $ than the eheims...and as mentioned more readily available.
I see no problems with the fluval I have (304)
Eheim, nothing but Eheim, always Eheim. They are the best engineered, the quietest, and the longest lasting. I have individual Eheim canisters older than the aggregate total life of all the other brands named, still in daily operation without a hitch.
But I also have a LFS which is an Eheim dealer, which makes life easier for me.
125gJoe
12-11-2003, 3:49 PM
Originally posted by RTR
......always Eheim. They are the best engineered,.....But I also have a LFS which is an Eheim dealer, which makes life easier for me.
I still wonder how the Eheim that has less GPH flowing thru it can filter better? :scratch:
JSchmidt
12-11-2003, 4:26 PM
Eheim, hands down. The 2213 would be nice filter for a smaller tank. The smaller of the Professionel series, the 2026, would be OK, too.
Jim
carpguy
12-11-2003, 5:25 PM
Originally posted by 125gJoe
I still wonder how the Eheim that has less GPH flowing thru it can filter better? :scratch:
Its more efficient ("They are the best engineered").
Doesn't have to work as hard…
;)
anonapersona
12-11-2003, 7:23 PM
Actually, slower flow rates might be better. Contact time for the media is important.
Mr. Bill
12-11-2003, 8:18 PM
Though Fluval makes a great filter, which I loved for many years, the general consensus is pointing me towards the more expensive Eheim this time around. It's tough to argue against German engineering I suppose.
The Eheim Professional II 2026 does indeed look like the model to get. Though it is for up to a 92 gallon tank (vs. my 20 gallon), there is apparently a new "flow adjustment" feature, so I can trim the current down a bit if the fish start to "give me that look" that something better change. There are always ways to slow down the current anyhoo, and the larger space for media is never a bad thing.
The wet/dry model was tempting, but with a 20 gallon "long", there's plenty of surface space for this freshwater tank, and I can save the bucks for other things, such as a small "No Swimming" sign in the gravel. I hope the new fish will appreciate my sense of humor, but it would be a first. They will likely just give me "that look", as they swim past it.
I found the barebones (no media) Eheim Pro-II 2026 for $149 at thehiddenreef.com, but if someone knows of a cheaper price, free shipping, or maybe a discount coupon code, please let me know! :)
Stay cool people.
Bill in San Diego :cool:
carpguy
12-11-2003, 9:33 PM
Big Al's Online (http://www.bigalsonline.com) has it for the same price with media.
I like my Eheim 2213 for my 30g. Ran about $100 with media.
Cooter007
12-11-2003, 9:37 PM
Big Al's Online has the EHEIM 2026 PROFESSIONEL II FILTER WITH MEDIA for $149.99! I have ordered from Big Al's several times and have always been more than pleased with the service.
http://www.bigalsonline.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi?inUID=1069824687.1069824687&inCatID=9:Filters&inSub=20
EDIT : I’m not an expert but I have a Eheim 2213 Classic that has been running for over a year with no problems. I also own a Magnum 350 Canister but it is in the attic…. I received the Magnum 350 for free and chose to buy/use an Eheim instead.
Slappy*McFish
12-11-2003, 10:46 PM
Bill, I have that model of Eheim and I can't say enough great things about it...it's just that good. Those flow controls on the hoses are nice and I actually use the detached hoses as a siphon to do my water changes. This filter rarely clogs, even packed with high-density filter floss and months of running without cleaning. Though, I normally try to clean it once a month just to remove the detritus from the water flow.
Mr. Bill
12-12-2003, 1:58 AM
Looks like you both posted at the same time! Thank's for the "Big AL" tips...I am sooo there!
The people at this forum site are absolutley awesome! What a great place for advice. :D
Late.
Bill in San Diego
125gJoe
12-12-2003, 4:52 AM
Originally posted by carpguy
...Doesn't have to work as hard…
;)
That's a Great answer! Let me get a physics book out and do some research...... LOL
Kagh't
12-12-2003, 9:59 AM
just another thing if you havn't already bought it, try and get one with efisubstrat pro, it has a HUGE bacterial area (450m squared/litre) and combined with the slow flow rates of the eheims (designed to make filtration more efficient) you have an unbearably amazing filter.
well, it better be, because one at work is running a 50 gal tank, and it's only rated at 30 odd, but the fish are happy, and breeding, so i guess it must be all right:p
KRISHN
06-13-2006, 5:35 PM
Thank you for all the advice.
Toirtis
06-14-2006, 2:35 AM
An excellent review comparing the Fluval FX5 and the Eheim 2080 Pro 3:
http://www.discusforums.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7080
Roan Art
06-14-2006, 3:13 AM
An excellent review comparing the Fluval FX5 and the Eheim 2080 Pro 3:
http://www.discusforums.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7080
Great review but it's too bad they didn't or couldn't take longevity into consideration when discussing price. RTR has Eheims that have been in use over 10 years and are still being used. IMO that more than makes up for the difference in price.
I'll stick with my Eheims because I plan on being in the hobby for at least that amount of time.
Roan
Toirtis
06-14-2006, 10:27 AM
Great review but it's too bad they didn't or couldn't take longevity into consideration when discussing price. RTR has Eheims that have been in use over 10 years and are still being used. IMO that more than makes up for the difference in price.
True, but since neither model has been available for more than 8-10 months, that would be rather difficult....and I am not sure how many people will want to wait until 2016 or so to find out. ;)
One thing that was touched upon was price, and the Fluval FX5 can be had for about $250-$260 online, whereas the Eheim 2080 Pro 3 is around $425-$440, which is a pretty big difference for many aquarists.
Eheim was the first company ever to start making filters by the way =)
kmgriff72
06-14-2006, 11:30 AM
Well my question is, how much cheaper did you buy your Fluval for ? I paid $150.00 for mine that I bought in February. I now wish that I would have gotten a HOB filter. Not that there is anything wrong with my Fluval. I just think that it would be easier to clean. My Fluval is not hard to clean, but it is very heavy when you have to disconnect it from the hoses and carry it to the sink.
Akysten
06-14-2006, 1:31 PM
I bought a brand new Fluval 404 w/media for $107 with shipping. It's last years model, but not that much had changed. If I had to buy a new 504 model, I probably would have spent the extra on a Eheim. However at this price, I could buy two 404's and still have money left over. I even considered buying two... just to have on hand for my next tank(which I'll negotiate between 40(breeder), a 55 and a 75.. and you know which I prefer)
Toirtis
06-14-2006, 8:53 PM
Eheim was the first company ever to start making filters by the way =)
Commercial canister filters, perhaps, but not the first to make filters...some small scale hobbyists cum commercial fish-sellers were doing so pre WWI.
TorturedSOUL
06-14-2006, 10:50 PM
Great review but it's too bad they didn't or couldn't take longevity into consideration when discussing price. RTR has Eheims that have been in use over 10 years and are still being used. IMO that more than makes up for the difference in price.
I'll stick with my Eheims because I plan on being in the hobby for at least that amount of time.
Roan
I've had my fluval for about that long...6 of one 1/2 dozen of the other in my book
:hang: