eheim filters

[Julianna]

I have a new 36 gallon bow front tank. I am considering the eheim ecco series filters versus the eheim professional II. Is there a valid reason to pay more for the pro model?? Any help would be appreciated.

thanks, Julie

[NJ Devils Fan]

Sorry, don't know anything about either one.

I would just suggest if you won't want to pay a lot for a canister, you might look into getting a power filter. An Emperor 400 or an AC 300 would do very nicely for that tank.

I think this will get moved to the Equipment/DIY board because it has to do with freshwater products.

[O-man21]

you don't need a canister filter for that small of a tank. I would get a emperor 400 also. It would do fine, and the media is realativly cheap.

[Rocketman]

I have a Eheim 2026 Pro II, it has a lot of extra features over the ECCO, and is definatly a great filter.

However, I chose it because I needed a quiet, low-maintenance filter with cheap media. Also, I have a 60 Gallon Tank, much larger than yours. The Eheim I use is the smallest possible size of Pro II's, rated 50-92 Gallons. I bought mine for 159.99, w/media from Bigalsonline.com. So, unless you have the money to spend, there isn't much sense in getting this Eheim, although it wouldn't hurt.

I don't know much about Canisters, but I learned some when searching for one to buy myself. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but don't they make a magnum H.O.T. in a 36 Gallon size? As I recall, you can get an attachment that uses the filter to clean water - it sucks water from a syphon-type tool into the filter, cleans it, and pushes it back into re-circulation.

Maybe that's more what you need.

[hatton3]

There is also the Eheim Professional series (looks very similar to Pro II, but without siphon starter). The 2222 would fit that tank very well. It can be had at big al's for $109.00. Although it is more than the Emperors and Penguins, it'll make up the difference in replacement media over one year that you would have to spend on the Emperors/Penguins (correct me if I'm wrong, but don't they have a disposable slot filter setup). All you have to do with the canister is swish out the ceramic noodles and rinse out the pads. It will also allow you to step up to high lighted plant tanks in the future if you wanted to go that route - you couldn't do that with a HOB that splashes water around on the surface - although there are those around the board that have found ways to minimize the surface disruption...

[RTR]

I get confused with folk saying that canisters are not "needed" on small tanks. Why should a 36 bow be treated as a poor relation? It is a nice tank and why should it not have good filtration?

I use Eheim classics primarily, but the pro and proII line are more user friendly. All are long-term more economical and much more pleasant to own and opertate than noisy HOBs. Up-front costs are not trivial, but if you are in this hobby for more than a year or two, long-term costs matter.

All JMHO and IME, the choice is a personal matter.

[Skittyfish]

I have the same eheim canister that Rocketman has. First canister I have ever bought (from bigAls also). I has the hang on filters beat in my opinion. I put my tank right up against the wall (as I have two small children who love the fish) and hid the canister underneath in the cabinet. I would at least get the Ecco as I have heard that it is also an easy to start canister.

[famman]

I have an ecco 2233 and I think it's great. I started it on my 20 and moved it to my 55, where it may be too small for the tank.
I'd suggest an ecco 2231, but a 2233 wouldn't hurt.
good luck
:)

[NJ Devils Fan]

hatton3, in the penguins and emperors, you can just rinse off the media. It doesn't cost anything to do that. Or, you can put in sponges that you just rinse.

RTR, HOBs are only noisy if the water in the tank is low. All filters do the same thing, they filter the water. There is no reason to put down HOBs just because you don't particularly care for them.

[JSchmidt]

"Noisy" is a relative term. Until you have seen an Eheim canister operating, you can't appreciate how noisy an HOB filter is. The motor is noiser, the return is noiser... on my Eheims, the only way I can tell they're working is to touch them. I use HOBs, too, and like them, but they don't compare. A roomful of HOBs on tanks will make a bit of noise. A roomful of Eheim canisters will be remarkably quiet.

Jim

[Julianna]

I'm sorry it took me so long to get back to all your replies. They have been very helpful. I ordered the eheim pro 2 on-line. It was important to me that the tank be right up against the wall. As this will be my only tank and in a room where I have many peaple it needs to be very quiet and the tank needs to be very clean. Since I work full time and have a 3 year old a husband and 2 dogs, It needed to be low maintenance. And, since I have will have plants, I need little turbulence. This canister appears to fit the bill.:) Thanks, Julie

[NJ Devils Fan]

Your husband is 3 years old? ;)

[Skittyfish]

Seems the age of most husbands! (sorry, sorry, sorry)