Eheim classic or Fluval?

[toddnbecka]

The 2217 would be better in terms of flow rate, but not necessarily more effective for biofiltration. The ecco isn't any bigger, just a different design, not quite as reliable as the classic series from what I've gathered.
I use air-driven hydrosponges in all my tanks for additional circulation and to pick up more debris. That's particularly helpful when the hob's or canisters slow down because the sponges over the intakes are becoming clogged, a canister needs cleaned and the media is loaded with muck, or one of the aquaclear impellers doesn't start back up after the power goes out.
The angels will eat the neons when they grow large enough. Clown loaches are social fish, best kept in groups (not pairs) that will grow to over 12" given proper care. Same with the Oto's, the more the merrier, though they stay small.

 

[sundragon]

Yes to the neon's being eaten - I will move them when I get to that stage - all of these fish are going into a larger tank, nearly twice as big. I will replace the neons with another larger schooling fish at that point.
Yes to the loaches - They will go into the larger tank, and as size requires I will get another tank or maybe 2, haha... This hobby is addictive, no?
Yes to the otos as well.
I don't like putting any more fish in this tank until I get the larger one, then I will consider increasing the schools.

 

[sundragon]

Interesting point about the flow vs biofiltration. For a ~60 gallon tank, a canister filter rated for 159 gallons is not enough?

The 2217 would be better in terms of flow rate, but not necessarily more effective for biofiltration. The ecco isn't any bigger, just a different design, not quite as reliable as the classic series from what I've gathered.
I use air-driven hydrosponges in all my tanks for additional circulation and to pick up more debris. That's particularly helpful when the hob's or canisters slow down because the sponges over the intakes are becoming clogged, a canister needs cleaned and the media is loaded with muck, or one of the aquaclear impellers doesn't start back up after the power goes out.
The angels will eat the neons when they grow large enough. Clown loaches are social fish, best kept in groups (not pairs) that will grow to over 12" given proper care. Same with the Oto's, the more the merrier, though they stay small.

 

[toddnbecka]

Plenty for biofiltration capacity depending on your choice of media, but not likely to provide strong circulation throughout the tank. I ran a 55 that was ridiculously overstocked by any standard with 2 aquaclear 70 hob filters and a hydrosponge for months with weekly partial water changes and no losses. Plenty of duckweed (surface was covered) to absorb nitrates, and all the fish were fine and healthy. An eheim canister of either size has more media capacity than the 2 hob filters, and if you stack sponges in the canister instead of using the ceramic or other solid media the surface area will be much greater. Not as easy to clean, since you'd need to rinse the sponges individually rather than simply rinsing the solid media, maybe 10 minutes instead of 5 to clean the filter when you notice a diminished flow rate.
Less circulation simply means the fish poop isn't as likely to reach the filter intake, and will settle in the gravel (or on top of the sand) requiring more frequent siphoning. Faster turnover of the tank volume also increases the general O2 level. Hillstream fish, Oto's and clown loaches like current, angels not so much, neons likely don't care either way.

 

[Sigrid]

sundragon,
I can only tell you about my experience with Eheim filters in my tanks
125 g. tank - I use the Eheim 2315
55 g. tank - I use the Eheim 2215

You should have no problems if you do regular maintenance - waterchanges and gravel cleaning. :dance:

 

[sundragon]

I understand now.

I love HOB filters like my Aquaclear 50, but I've had to extend the intake 2/3 of the way down the tank so it takes water farther away from the water return - I wish they would direct the water return in a direction opposite the intake - if that makes sense.

I was planning on getting lily pipes, placing intake on one end, and exhaust on the other end of the tank to create a current. Either having the CO2 diffuser at the bottom of the tank below the exhaust so the current drives CO2 across the tank, or have it inline with a reactor. This seems a lot more efficient than the default water path of my HOB which pretty much sucked up the what it spews out.

If this proves insufficient, I will try adding a HOB filter - I've resisted the idea because the water pouring into the tank increases oxygen, but I have to burn more CO2 to keep the drop checker in the green.

This is my first time with a canister filter. I trust you guys have tried this and know better I will keep my HOB if I need additional filtration, or *gasp* get another canister and lily pipes, and double up!

Plenty for biofiltration capacity depending on your choice of media, but not likely to provide strong circulation throughout the tank. I ran a 55 that was ridiculously overstocked by any standard with 2 aquaclear 70 hob filters and a hydrosponge for months with weekly partial water changes and no losses. Plenty of duckweed (surface was covered) to absorb nitrates, and all the fish were fine and healthy. An eheim canister of either size has more media capacity than the 2 hob filters, and if you stack sponges in the canister instead of using the ceramic or other solid media the surface area will be much greater. Not as easy to clean, since you'd need to rinse the sponges individually rather than simply rinsing the solid media, maybe 10 minutes instead of 5 to clean the filter when you notice a diminished flow rate.
Less circulation simply means the fish poop isn't as likely to reach the filter intake, and will settle in the gravel (or on top of the sand) requiring more frequent siphoning. Faster turnover of the tank volume also increases the general O2 level. Hillstream fish, Oto's and clown loaches like current, angels not so much, neons likely don't care either way.

 

[sundragon]

Thank you, that directly applies to my situation

sundragon,
I can only tell you about my experience with Eheim filters in my tanks
125 g. tank - I use the Eheim 2315
55 g. tank - I use the Eheim 2215

You should have no problems if you do regular maintenance - waterchanges and gravel cleaning. :dance:

 

[toddnbecka]

The other factor to consider is surface agitation. Nearly all of the O2/CO2 exchange takes place at the surface of the water, bubble streams are much more useful for circulating the water than actually oxygenating it. A hob filter isn't the best design regarding circulation around the tank, but it does provide plenty of surface movement and usually a good turnover rate. A canister filter with a spraybar below the surface will create minimal surface agitation (good for CO2 level) but the O2 level may not be sufficient for the fish. One of the new Koralia (or similar knockoff) powerheads would provide surface agitation w/out necessarily turning over the entire tank volume as quickly as a hob. (I'm thinking the water flow could be directed upward, though I'm not sure how that would work out in reality.) I've never used CO2, like SW it strikes me as too much time, trouble, and expense, particularly with 14 tanks full of fish to keep up with.

 

[Cerianthus]

2215 is just fine for 57 G, especially with lightly stocked like yours but always recommend two independent filters, back up to each other just in case one fails (sometimes during worst time like during vacation) or need thorough cleaning. Second one doesnt have to large or canister. Any filter would do,even smallest one..

 

[sundragon]

@ Toddnbecka: I appreciate the info, I didn't think of it that way. I could put the return pipe above the water surface to agitate it instead of below, but I have a feeling it would cause too much disturbance - so a second filter, ugh...

I felt the same way about CO2, but it's pretty simple, once you set it up - it just goes... Though I don't have 14 tanks full of fish... yet

@ Cerianthus: back up filter for vacations?! Nothing ever goes wrong - I took a week off when I first set up the tank and when I got back there was brown and blue green algae all over the place, lol...I got an Aqeon 10 i use for the QT...