Eheim for a 125 Gallon?

125gJoe

125gJoe

2009 VMAX
Jul 6, 2002
3,047
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I'm curious as to what Eheim canister would be good for my 125 gallon Discus aquarium. I don't need the heated one - at least I think they have one that's heated...

Is the flow rate variable on these canisters? I will run two canisters, and like some overfiltration, but need to control the flow.

Thanks..
 
I have two 2217's on my 125g. Each one is rated for tanks up to 159g. They circulate around 280g per hour with a huge cannister that holds a lot of media. I've been having mine for about three years with no problems. The only draw back if it is one is they don't come with individual baskets for the media. So you have to stack your media between sponges. Mine is filled with all sponges.
 
You'd probably want the 2028 if you want the deluxe, easiest to use model. If you want no-frills filtration (esp. if you plan to set this up as a prefiltered, bio-only canister), the 2217 would be fine. With either, rather than choke the filter down to avoid excess current, just buy an extra spraybar and attach it to the first with a short length of filter hose. It will greatly reduce the current from the filter without affecting throughput.

Just don't try using a dull butter knife to cut the hose. :dance

HTH,
Jim
 
Joe...

You could do what I did if you're worried about flow for your discus tank.

My 75 gallon discus tank is planted and I'm using a wet/dry that I had from the saltwater setup before it became a planted discus tank. I took a 4" diameter PCV pipe and cut it so about 4 inches sits out of the tank and the other end rests on the bottom. I then drilled holes into the front side of the pipeabout 4 inches from the bottom and up to about the middle of the pipe. Lots of holes actually and the amount is based on how much water you have entering the pipe. One of the ends was plugged and the return from the filter was placed into the PCV pipe about one inch below the water line. My pump is rated for 800 gph, although I'm sure I'm getting less from the 4 1/2' height and friction loss it pumps from the sump to the top of the pipe. Anyway though after I got enough holes in the PCV pipe that the water in the pipe stayed even with the water level of the tank I drilled about 8 more holes. I also drilled a set of holes at the top of the pipe above the water line incase for some reason it becomes clogged it doesn't overflow onto the floor.

After I got everything up and running the current coming out of it is barely enough to move the Rotala Indica that's planted in front of it. Once the Rotala finishes growing in I also won't be able to see the PCV pipe at all. It was a simple solution for me and the discus sometimes swim infront of the output. It takes very little effort on thier part to stay in position when they do this too. The HOT Magnum I have hanging on the back of the tank has way more current than I have coming out of the PCV pipe.

Hoped this helps or gives you an idea. Let me know if I can offer any more help if you decide to go this route.
 
125gjoe, i have the 2028 and it's an awesome filter. you can vary the flow via the integrated hose-release lever, which i perceive to be pretty clever design. if you want a simplistic setup, i would recommend the 2028 also.
 
You could save some $ if you went with a Filstar... :idea2:

You're giving into the dark side Joe? :sad
I'm curious as to why YOU are asking about Eheim and not going with an XP3?
Is it to prove to that know-it-all R ...oh, did that already :p that Filstars = Eheims?
 
My Bad 125gJoe. I was recommending 2217 for your tank, I failed to noticed that you were talking about Discus. The 2217 has a high output which creates a lot of current and from what I read you don't want this with that type fish. It is an excellent filter though. Maybe as JSchmidt suggested by adding an extra spray bar this will cut down on the current.
 
I run a 2028 on a 90 gallon w/Discus and the current is fine. I have the spraybar directed slightly up towards the water surface so current inside the tank is really a non issue.
I started this tank with a 2026, but I crowded it a bit and the 2028 offers another media basket which I thought was a good idea. When we get the tank upsized later this year I'll just run both of them.
 
beviking said:
You could save some $ if you went with a Filstar... :idea2:

You're giving into the dark side Joe? :sad
I'm curious as to why YOU are asking about Eheim and not going with an XP3?
......
Click to expand...
I like and use Xp-3's, but, one had a leak at the power cord. Not good at all! It couldn't be fixed. I figured I may as well try one Eheim and hope the other Xp-3 does not go bad either...

I posted the leak problem at the power cord on DIY and Products forum in the past.

So do all Eheims have "flow control"? Or, are they "fixed" at one flow rate?

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Stephen, thanks for mentioning Wet/Dry, but I have CO2 injection and would like to stay with canisters. Wet/Dry is a nice filter method though....

----

Edit...
OK. Thanks!
It looks like 2028 or 2217 maybe..

(now I need to write this down so I don't ask again when I'm ready to shop around some in the mear future...) :)
 
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