I just bought an Eheim 2224 for my 55 planted tank that already has a Fluval 304 as the primary filter. I bought the Eheim to supplement the Fluval, and will be gathering anecdotal observations about the two.
Initial impressions:
The Eheim is better built, with solid construction. The water tubes on the Eheim are a heck of a lot nicer than the ribbed tubes on the Fluval. The Eheim is quieter than the the Fluval. I also like the spray bar from the Eheim better - it are smaller and less intrusive as opposed to the Fluval output port. The Eheim is easier to take apart and put back together and I had no trouble starting the siphon on either filter.
But...
I think that the Fluval allows me more options for putting media in the canister. The Eheim only has two baskets, but the Fluval has 3 so that I can put peat, etc. in the canister. I also like the intake on the Fluval better because it is smoke colored plastic and the strainer is smaller and less obtrusive.
Additional, the Eheim is smaller.
I think that both are fine filters at this point and each has their own strengths. It will be interesting to see how efficient that each one is on filtering fine particulate matter in the water column that occurs during water changes.
More to follow...
Initial impressions:
The Eheim is better built, with solid construction. The water tubes on the Eheim are a heck of a lot nicer than the ribbed tubes on the Fluval. The Eheim is quieter than the the Fluval. I also like the spray bar from the Eheim better - it are smaller and less intrusive as opposed to the Fluval output port. The Eheim is easier to take apart and put back together and I had no trouble starting the siphon on either filter.
But...
I think that the Fluval allows me more options for putting media in the canister. The Eheim only has two baskets, but the Fluval has 3 so that I can put peat, etc. in the canister. I also like the intake on the Fluval better because it is smoke colored plastic and the strainer is smaller and less obtrusive.
Additional, the Eheim is smaller.
I think that both are fine filters at this point and each has their own strengths. It will be interesting to see how efficient that each one is on filtering fine particulate matter in the water column that occurs during water changes.
More to follow...