Aquarium Filters anyone?

sardesign

AC Members
Sep 28, 2005
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Phoenix, AZ
Since I am getting my bigger tank soon... I am in the search for some good filters. I read that Eihm filters are the best but after seeing the pricetag I'm not sure if I can bring myself to spend 250 USD on one. Are there any other filters of note? I have two aqua clear 50's and they seem to do somewhat of a good job.
 
I have run Eheims for >>30 years, and have never, under any circumstances, had any issue with "killing bacteria when changing filter media", and that is with dozens of Eheims running on various tanks. Besides which, all of my Eheim media are permanent. If you use their Ehfisubstrat biomedia, you need to do periodic partial media replacements, but if you follow manufacturer's instructions you will never have a spike from insufficient nitrification. Statements to the contrary IMHO are hot air.
 
I have 2 AC 500's on my 100 gal and my water is crystal clear.As you can see by my stocking list i have some very messy fish also.
 
If you want an eheim, go to this site:

http://jcaquatics.com/page2.html

The 2217 classic canister is like $120 before shipping, significantly less than $250 (although, I'm not sure which version you were looking at). It's for a tank up to 160 gallons. I'm not a shill for this site. I just did a lot of looking around when I was trying to find a good quality filter. Eheim is supposed to be top of the line and this site seemed to have the best price for a brand new, unused filter. Plus, they seem to go out of the way to make sure that you're getting the best price.
 
Well should I splurge for...

Should I splurge for the 2028 Eheim?
I was looking and I can get two 2215 (92G each) for the price of one 2028. Would this help with the occasional downtime to clean or if something breaks?
 
I have a 2215 in a 72 gallon and it keeps it crystal clear. A 2215 is rate up to 96 gallons.
Here are some options:
1) A single 2217 would probably work fine on a 125 gallon.
2) A single 2217 and also use one of your aquaclear 50's
3) 2 - 2215's would give you lots of filtration. They would create a good amount movement so you would want fish that are OK with a little current.
4) One 2215 and both of yur aquaclears.
 
2028 it is!!!!!

After thinking about it...

I'm just going to hit the 2028. It's the same price as two 2215's and only 40 more than a 2217 (because I can get free shipping). Now the question is... can i use those bio-balls (blue thingys) instead of the EHEIM EHFIMECH that you have to replace every so often?
 
Ehfimech is a ceramic noodle and never needs replacement. If you were thinking of Ehfisubstrat, which is a ceramic/glass biomedium, it does need periodic replacement. For that reason I do not use it myself as I only use "permanent" media.

Ehfimech is marketed by Eheim as a coarse mechanical medium, but it will serve as a biofiltration substrate if well prefiltered such that it is not suffocated by debris.
 
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