Slappy, you could get Eheim for $76 and a Filstar for $70, and you'd the the Filstar? Six more bucks for an Eheim and you'd get the Filstar?
:eeek:
Jim
:eeek:
Jim
Which canister brand to buy?
- Thread starter beache
- Start date
The Rena filstar is a very good filter..better than the fluval..besides, that is the old style Eheim, not the nifty, new pro series with quick-release/connect valves. Personally, I have an Eheim pro II 2026 on my 55...excellent filter, btw.
I like the Rena Filstar line of canister filters.
You get more water flow through the filter compared to the Eheim. The more water you have going through the filter media means "more" filtration... I'm not saying Ehiems are bad filters, but the filtration rate is not there compared to Filstars.. Also, I have yet to see a LFS carry Ehiem. That is a little puzzeling to me...
You get more water flow through the filter compared to the Eheim. The more water you have going through the filter media means "more" filtration... I'm not saying Ehiems are bad filters, but the filtration rate is not there compared to Filstars.. Also, I have yet to see a LFS carry Ehiem. That is a little puzzeling to me...
Like I said in an earlier post, the Eheim might not have the same flowrate, but they are more efficient... maybe the filstars have less media bypass than the fluvals, but I know the eheims filter every drop that goes through them. For canisters, the amount of time that the water is in contact with the media will drive up the efficiency...n need for huge flowrates. Look at the massive eheim 2260... it only pushes around 300gph, but I bet it would lay a smackdown on pretty much any other canister brand on the market 
I like the Magnum Pro or Magnum 350 Pro systems.
They are cheap, come with medium containers and micron filters and biowheels. They even allow the vacum to attach to the filter so no more water changes.
Of course im sure there are pros and cons for saltwater setups. But, for freshwater i have had little problems with this in the 5yrs i have been using the magnum pro on my 55g tank.
The one problem i had was finding a biowheel replacement pad.
They are cheap, come with medium containers and micron filters and biowheels. They even allow the vacum to attach to the filter so no more water changes.
Of course im sure there are pros and cons for saltwater setups. But, for freshwater i have had little problems with this in the 5yrs i have been using the magnum pro on my 55g tank.
The one problem i had was finding a biowheel replacement pad.
My brand new 2213 only has a single basket for all the media... having multiple baskets just makes things easier for maintenance... it's not a big deal for me...
I have owned a couple Eheim "Classics" and own Filstars, Mags, and a Fluval. The only one I would recommend to anyone as their primary filter are the Filstars. The only one I would never buy again are the Fluvals, just no real advantage over another filter to them, IMO. My list of gripes with my Fluval is entire post by itself, but it is still running. If somebody wants me to, I will post the gripes on Thursday, I will be doing maintenace Wednesday night
I use the Mags as "clean-up filters" after a remodel or something, or as a secondary mechanical only filter. But, by themselves, they won't do the job. The Eheim classic I had did not have media baskets which is enough for me to never want one again. Imagine having to dump it out to clean it, not fun. On top of that they do not come with disconnects or shutoffs, so you have to entirely drain the system everytime you clean it. Also, that weird tubing out the side thing always got in the way. Its just an old design, that has been surpassed, I guess. IMO- A lot of what made the Eheims nice is the media. Luckily you can use the Ehiem media in Filstars. Not so in Fluvals you are almost stuck with their strange layout and media options.
Although I have never owned one, The Eheim Pro II series seems almost perfect (excpet for price) and everyone who I know who has one loves it. But, you can almost get two Filstars for the price of one Pro II. Also, IME the strange tubing size of Eheims require you buy Eheim accessories, which are also costly.
The Filstars ARE zero by pass filters. They come with large media baskets that allow you choose your prefered media configuration. The media baskets lift out with all the media in them. You can even use Eheim media, I do. They also come with a one motion shot-off disconnect that always works great for me. Build quality seems excellent, and they are just as silent as Eheims IMO. Standard tubing size so you can use generic accessories, I do. Lots of input/output options come standard, where as you would have to buy an expensive Eheim accessory to get a spraybar for an Eheim. But, this is also my ONLY complaint with the Filstars, also. The input/output options are just press fit together in many peices. this worries me a little so I siliconed the first two peices that go over the side of the tank together to guard against possible fountain action. Also, the flow regulator is a nice option, but I do not use because it is another possible place to leak, and we know how I fear that. I have never actually heard of these leaking, but I would rather be safe than sorry. Also, my XP1 is almost 3 years old now and the input/outputs have started to fade, but not really that bad.
The added features/quality/design/price make the Filstar my choice, hands down. Take price out of the equation and I would have to go with the Eheim Pro II based on the same reasons I like the Filstars and mostly Eheims nearly inpeccable reputation, which is rare thing in this hobby.
But, back to the original post. On your tank, I would go with a Rena Filstar XP2. The XP3 is very nice, but you would have to use the flow regulator on it because the flow rate would be too high, IMO. I think you will be very happy with it long term.
I use the Mags as "clean-up filters" after a remodel or something, or as a secondary mechanical only filter. But, by themselves, they won't do the job. The Eheim classic I had did not have media baskets which is enough for me to never want one again. Imagine having to dump it out to clean it, not fun. On top of that they do not come with disconnects or shutoffs, so you have to entirely drain the system everytime you clean it. Also, that weird tubing out the side thing always got in the way. Its just an old design, that has been surpassed, I guess. IMO- A lot of what made the Eheims nice is the media. Luckily you can use the Ehiem media in Filstars. Not so in Fluvals you are almost stuck with their strange layout and media options.Although I have never owned one, The Eheim Pro II series seems almost perfect (excpet for price) and everyone who I know who has one loves it. But, you can almost get two Filstars for the price of one Pro II. Also, IME the strange tubing size of Eheims require you buy Eheim accessories, which are also costly.
The Filstars ARE zero by pass filters. They come with large media baskets that allow you choose your prefered media configuration. The media baskets lift out with all the media in them. You can even use Eheim media, I do. They also come with a one motion shot-off disconnect that always works great for me. Build quality seems excellent, and they are just as silent as Eheims IMO. Standard tubing size so you can use generic accessories, I do. Lots of input/output options come standard, where as you would have to buy an expensive Eheim accessory to get a spraybar for an Eheim. But, this is also my ONLY complaint with the Filstars, also. The input/output options are just press fit together in many peices. this worries me a little so I siliconed the first two peices that go over the side of the tank together to guard against possible fountain action. Also, the flow regulator is a nice option, but I do not use because it is another possible place to leak, and we know how I fear that. I have never actually heard of these leaking, but I would rather be safe than sorry. Also, my XP1 is almost 3 years old now and the input/outputs have started to fade, but not really that bad.
The added features/quality/design/price make the Filstar my choice, hands down. Take price out of the equation and I would have to go with the Eheim Pro II based on the same reasons I like the Filstars and mostly Eheims nearly inpeccable reputation, which is rare thing in this hobby.
But, back to the original post. On your tank, I would go with a Rena Filstar XP2. The XP3 is very nice, but you would have to use the flow regulator on it because the flow rate would be too high, IMO. I think you will be very happy with it long term.
