Eheim Ecco or 2213?

S

Sumpin'fishy

Humble Disciple of Jesus Christ
Oct 16, 2002
673
0
0
50
Savannah, GA
I want to get the best canister filter I can for my 20 gallon planted tank. It currently has a silly Penguin 125 and the water inlet disturbs the water too much for my taste. I have raised the water line to just above the inside plastic rim......I dare not raise it further!!! It does fine for a day then it evaporates enough to start pushing bubbles down into the tank and breaking the surface. I can't keep my CO2 level above 20ppm regularly (DIY CO2 w/ active reactor). I have two Nutrafin (Hagen) plant systems going on this tank, already! I have to add water every other day or so. I have over 3 wpg of light and this heat is what causes the evap.

I want to get an Eheim, since you can't buy better, but don't know which is better for all around service. I don't need tons of flow, so I think the ECCO 2231, 2233, or Classic 2213 are my best bets. I would like to get the largest size I can get away with (so I can always use on other tanks) while not blowing my fish or plants away. My main concern isn't just CO2 loss, but actual particle filtration. My tank has been seeming quite cloudy the last few weeks. I thought it was green water.....I was only partly right. I did a 3 day blackout (no cheating) and still have cloudy water. I can see small particles floating around constantly. Please help me decide which to get. I need to know which ones come with spraybars, which are easiest to clean, which are most dependable, etc. Any faults with any of them? Please let me hear your input. I have heard about the handles breaking on the ECCO's btw. Is this common? Does their media compartment compare with the 2213's?
 
I have both the ecco 2233 and the classic 2213. I prefer the classic. It is simpler, more efficient and more flexible with the media. I run a classic 2213 on my 20 gallon planted tank and I love it.
P.S.

I read with great interrest your exchange with Plantbrain on your dosing on your 20 gal planted, at the time it seemed you were adjusting your dosage. What is your routine now? I have a very similiar setup. I use a 4 to 6 inch spray bar set about 2 inches below the top.

good luck
:)
 
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With so much interest in the Filstar XP series, it's be hard to ignore them as an option. If I were buying Eheim, I'd get the Professional series.

I have a Fluval 304 in my 45 gallon and it does a nice job. I have no complaints.
 
2213 it is then!:) Thanks for experiences.

Hey Famman, I have been adjusting my dosing regime a bit more and think my schedule now is working pretty well. My plants are filling out very nicely, look very healthy, and are sending off runners and "making babys" all the time. I have some decent pearling which is getting better and better as my experience increases.

My Fert Regimen:
Flourish (traces) 3mL 3x/wk
Flourish Iron (Fe) 1mL 3x/wk
Enema (PO4) 5 drops 3x/wk
NoSalt (KCl) 1/4tsp 1x/wk
Stump Remover (KNO3) 1 scoop 3x/wk
(use test kit reagent dry powder scoop.....very small)

35% weekly water changes (5 gallons)

I am still fiddling with things a small bit, but this is pretty close to optimal, so far. I have too many variables still to work out (Filter and such)
 
Updated decision:

I did some more research and looked at the filters in person in my LFS and decided to get the ECCO 2233 instead of the classic 2213. The main reason for the decision was the media trays. I can't see having my only filter as a canister which has all the media separated by filter pads only. When I wanted to clean the filter periodically I would have to spill everything out into a pile and disturb the biological media, as well as generally make a big mess! I bought additional media to add to the trays in the ECCO, though, since I didn't only want filter pads. I bought some EHFIsubstrate PRO, a large sheet of 100 micron filter material (can cut to size) which can be used to polish water, and several extra fine filter pads.

I think I will be happier with these additional features which make cleaning/maintenance easier. I don't want to hate doing my regular cleaning. I hope things turn out well! Now I only wish I could get a spraybar with these filters!!!:(
 
Yes, I like the media trays in the 2233 too, but I keep my biological in a thin nylon bag, it comes out in one piece. The rest is either filter pads, wadding, or doesn't come out and just gets rinsed with tap water, like the ehfimech.
I do like my 2233, but I still find the 2213 more efficient, faster and more thorough when cleaning, and more flexible with my media choices.
I do use eheim double quick disconnect valves with my 2213 which makes all the difference.
good luck
:)
 
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