Hi all,
I'm going to post this in a couple of forums, see what reactions I get. I've spent a couple weeks researching canister filters and felt the Eheim, although pricey, were a cream of the crop filter. I decided on the new Eheim Pro 2126 with a built in heater. This would be for my new 50g tank.
I went to the LFS and ordered the tank and told him I was getting an Eheim. He kind of winced, and he made a few points:
1) Eheim's flow rate is weaker than advertised (this I knew)
2) Eheim's replacement parts are hard to get and expensive (Which I kind of knew)
3) Filter with heaters built in have been "illegal" he said in California (wich is where I live) for a while. He said if an air bubble gets trapped in the filter, the heater inside could cause melting. The fire department dislikes them. This is why he said you can only find this filter with heater online and not in LFS stores, at least in California.
He instead suggested a Fluval 304 or 404 because:
1) You'll save a little money.
2) Better flow rates.
3) And, while I'm at it, avoid something with a built in heater.
Now, granted, his LFS only sells Fluvals, so it's possible he'd rather push a Fluval. But he did make a good point about replacement parts.
I bought the Eheim (2126) for it's reputation and the built in heater was nice bonus because it's one less thing cluttering the tank. But, when my Eheim arrives in the mail, I'm not sure if I should return it and get the Fluval.
What would YOU do? Thoughts?
Cheers.
I'm going to post this in a couple of forums, see what reactions I get. I've spent a couple weeks researching canister filters and felt the Eheim, although pricey, were a cream of the crop filter. I decided on the new Eheim Pro 2126 with a built in heater. This would be for my new 50g tank.
I went to the LFS and ordered the tank and told him I was getting an Eheim. He kind of winced, and he made a few points:
1) Eheim's flow rate is weaker than advertised (this I knew)
2) Eheim's replacement parts are hard to get and expensive (Which I kind of knew)
3) Filter with heaters built in have been "illegal" he said in California (wich is where I live) for a while. He said if an air bubble gets trapped in the filter, the heater inside could cause melting. The fire department dislikes them. This is why he said you can only find this filter with heater online and not in LFS stores, at least in California.
He instead suggested a Fluval 304 or 404 because:
1) You'll save a little money.
2) Better flow rates.
3) And, while I'm at it, avoid something with a built in heater.
Now, granted, his LFS only sells Fluvals, so it's possible he'd rather push a Fluval. But he did make a good point about replacement parts.
I bought the Eheim (2126) for it's reputation and the built in heater was nice bonus because it's one less thing cluttering the tank. But, when my Eheim arrives in the mail, I'm not sure if I should return it and get the Fluval.
What would YOU do? Thoughts?
Cheers.
