Single Eheim or Fluval for 120? Rena any good?

[Harlock]

Okay. I know the next big tank project for me will be a 120 gallon FW community setup. This will be a tank likely a year or two in the making before I would fill it with water and have the money for plants and fish that I want, but budget and research have to be made at the beginning, so here I am.

I really like the look of the Eheim Professional II series, especially the Thermofilters with the built-in heater. The Eheim 2128 is rated for 158 gallons but of course, I like being well-filtered and never trust the manufacturers estimates of their own products. I have also noticed that most folks with canister filters just "look" underfiltered to me, so is there a different rule in play than the minimum 5 times turnover you see for power filters, etc.? If so, would two of the Eheim 2126 Thermofilters (rated for a 92 gallon) be a sufficiently filtered 120 gallon?

Also, for anyone with a canister filter, please give me your thoughts opn the brand you use. I hear good things about Fluval and Rena has it's fans as well, so I am curious as to what drew you to yuor canister and then how it rates based on your expectations as well as actual performance. Thanks so much!

[w9nwr]

I did some internet research on Rena and other units. Did narrow it down to the XP3 based on cost, prime ability, ease of filter change, etc.
After 30 days of use (new user, novice aquarist) I find the XP3 in my case to be quite, easy to prime and easy to change media when required. I do like the fact that I can lift shut off up, remove it with hoses as a unit and take the canister unit to a sink for service. Back to the stand with it, hose unit set back in, shut off back down, set for a minute, and back in service. No priming required.
On initial start up (first day install) it was a little bit noisey at first but that settled down.
Note: You MAY have to drill out the spray bar holes to prevent whistling, some do, some don't. I redrilled and all ok, or don't use the spray bar.
The output line does have a output control.

Bottom line: In my particular case I am very satisfied with this unit.


Changed the Micro filter yesterday (30 days of use) , it had caught a fair amount of "stuff" , seems to be working as advertised.

[Karnaaj]

Harlock, I have the fluval 404 on my 65g so I am a little bit overfiltered, but on a 120 I don't think it would do the job. It a great filter, quiet, easy to service and easy to prime. Doesn't come with a spray bar though but if you are going planted you probably won't want one anyway. I think regardless of which brand you opt for you are probably going to need two of them.

[racingjason]

Eheim sells one that does 500 gallons an hour, the 2260. I have a Project brand canister filter, it's made in Italy and I am not sure if it is available in the USA under another name or not. This is one of the few items I have bought where it far exceeded my expectations. It is rated at 475 gallons an hour so I tested it empty. Almost exactly 475 gallons an hour. I then loaded it with heavy filter media (including 1 full tray of peat) installed my prefilter and I measured it at 370 gallons an hour. :bowing: I also have a second pump doing pure mechanical filtration, but I will be hooking it up to the FBF sometime soon.

[bayoupr]

I have on my 125g two- Eheim 2028's and two- Filstar XP3's. Don't know if this will help.

[acefred]

I like my Fluval 304 for my 45 gal (rated up 75 gal), I would look at 2 404s for this tank and run tham nicely. I finally looked at a running Rena at my local Big Als and found that when I was unhooking the hoses it sprayed a fair bit of water (compared to my Fluval), but this could be a fluke also.

[JSchmidt]

I have a 180 with an Eheim 2028 and a 2229 (plus a couple of HOT Mags for mech filtration). The Eheims are great... very well made and totally silent.

Unless very lightly stocked, I'd probably use two 2128s for a 120. I won't run any tank, especially a large one, without multiple and redundant filtration.

HTH,
Jim

[Harlock]

I have a 180 with an Eheim 2028 and a 2229 (plus a couple of HOT Mags for mech filtration). The Eheims are great... very well made and totally silent.

Unless very lightly stocked, I'd probably use two 2128s for a 120. I won't run any tank, especially a large one, without multiple and redundant filtration.

HTH,
JimYes I am very into redundant filtration and heating both. ;) I will be running at least two filters on it. The Rena Filstars certainly are inexpensive. I could get two XP3s on here for under $200.00 and have 700GPH filtration... still seems sort of low. I want avoid any HOT filters as I need this tank as flush to the wall as possible to keep the wife happy. ;)

[wynn]

Just to chime in about the filstars, I have three of the xp3 canisters that I am using on two tanks. I really like them a lot. It only takes me about 20 minutes to break down, clean, reassemble, and start back up again...for all three of them. I had a Magnum 350 several years ago, and it took me about 20-30 minutes to clean it...yep, 20-30 minutes to clean and reassemble one filter. After that, I swore off canisters for awhile...I'm glad I decided to give the filstars a try.

[johnnyxxl]

I was wondering about reviews on the canister filters also, was also considering using a sump system also as a filter method using heavily planted tank to do bio filtering using powerheads. or a pump

[beviking]

Harlock, I know you're a big fan of google (searching). There are other reviews out there (you've probably already found them!). I know it's difficult to decipher the exploded diagrams, but look at them for hints at ease of maintaining. The Eheim 2028's (not knocking Eheim filters!) have the inlet run through each tray and at each tray, there is a rubber bushing. To me, that extra "annoyance"(cleaning in/around it) and the price led me to buy Rena (XP3). The push together tubes (on XPs) can split if you force them together hard enough (trust me, I know!). acefred mentioned the water spray, which happens if you pull the quick disconnect out anything other than slowly. They are very simple to maintain, extremely quiet, and IMO the best buy for the $. Others may sight longevity of Eheims which I cannot argue with, but my XP3 has performed flawlessly for 3yrs. now. I did question the integrity of the clip attachment site on the canister itself, see my other thread http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35078 ) but not enough to stop me from buying another one...well, as soon as the tax return comes.
Definitely go with two filters.
Oh, on keeping the wife happy. I too went as flush to the wall as possible. Just make sure the quick disconnect will fit between the stand and wall. Otherwise, you'll have to thread the hoses through your stand when you want to clean them and although the disconnect is sealed, the hoses at the other end are NOT! I HATE when I learn things the hard way! :mad2 :D
HTH
Bill

[Harlock]

Thanks a lot Bill! I was leaning toward the Filstars already, even despite reading your thread about the clips breaking, as it was still working anyway! I'll be going with a 125 now, so it will stick out less from the wall (more of a pain to aquascape, but hey, compromise is compromise) and already added two Rena Filstar XP3s to the bedgetary list. Do you think that is sufficient filtration? It would be only 700 GPH on a 125 gallon, so filtering 5.6 times per hour... Do canister filters clean that much better that that would be a sufficient amount of filtration, or shuold I shoot for my usual 8-10 times turnover and add another filter?

[Kasakato]

But keep in mind Harlock that the GPH that is listed for the filter isnet really what you will be getting. With all the media and stuff its is slower, sometimes a lot slower. Id say add another XP3 to get more filteration.

[Harlock]

But keep in mind Harlock that the GPH that is listed for the filter isnet really what you will be getting. With all the media and stuff its is slower, sometimes a lot slower. Id say add another XP3 to get more filteration.
I've always figured this sort of evened out in the wash. My tank won't really be 125 gallons, and after I add in substrate decorations, thermometers, intakes etc. it will be a lot less. ;) Still, I think you're right, an extra XP3 can't hurt! I just wanted someone to be a yes man so I could ratioanlize it...

[beviking]

I'm the wrong guy to ask. I only have one XP3 on my 90 (Althoug my CO2 reactor runs a micro-jet pump that adds a little circulation). My tank is planted and I don't like the "Plants in a Hurricane" look that two filters might give me. If you budget for an extra filter and have it on hand, you can always add it on if two isn't working for you (or keep it on hand for parts if you're as graceful as I am). I would say that with weekly water changes and gravel vacs, two XP3s on a 125 would suffice. It's really a personal preference.
Canisters only clean as well as the flow allows them to. They hold more due to the larger size thats all.

[Mrditty]

Just a note on life of the filter I just purchaced a new Fluval to replace one that the motor died on after close to 20 years of service. in that time I relaced the impeller once and I think I relaced an o-ring at one time. I added the old one inline behind the new one so I imagine it will still be aound for some time.