Buying A Filter

[impact1122]

I am starting a new 55gal tank and I do not know what kind of filter I should buy. I have been told that a water fall style filter is good enough for the tank. I have also been told that a canister filter will do a better job. The 2 filters that were recommended are the Marineland Emperor Bio-Wheel and the Eheim canister.

The canister filter is on sale right now so the prices are almost the same.


......Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Maximus]

I'd go for that Eheim canister any day over the waterfall filter

What model are you looking at?

 

[impact1122]

I'd go for that Eheim canister any day over the waterfall filter

What model are you looking at?

I can't remember if it was the 2215 or the 2217. Both are on sale.

 

[Musho3210]

definately the ehiem, prefect time to get them if they are on sale.

 

[scotslasszoe]

I got the 2217. its class. how much is it on sale for?

Zoe

 

[backtotropical]

Eheim Definitely. How much is it and where from? I've been thinking about getting one too. £112 in Dobbies Garden Centre reduced from £160.

 

[impact1122]

I can't remember if it was the 2215 or 2217 model and it was $130 CAD.

 

[BigC]

Eheim 2217+ External Canister Filter £68.99 +p&p
http/www.aquatics-online.co.uk/catalogue...ter-filters.asp

 

[Tobigara]

i don't mean to steal the thread. But i don't suppose someone can tell me why the cannister filter is better than the water fall, can they? i mean it's a unanimous decision in favor of the cannister so it must be a big difference right?

 

[cane76]

go for the 2217
i have 2 of them on my 100g and they do a great job

 

[mark.w.jones]

Eheim are generally more expensive than other filters but so much better built and very easy to get spares for. Will last a lifetime with proper maintainance.

 

[ShoC]

EDIT: I'm being stupid didn't read properly.

 

[rabbut]

i don't mean to steal the thread. But i don't suppose someone can tell me why the cannister filter is better than the water fall, can they? i mean it's a unanimous decision in favor of the cannister so it must be a big difference right?

One simple reason. Volume. You can get much more media into a canister, in comparison with a HOB. HOB's are unable to take more than a few types of media, where as a canister will take what you throw at it, in most combinations. This gives more versitility and choise over your filtration, giving purer, cleaner water as the filters final result. Also, the increased area of canisters allow for a slower flow through the media, allowing more efficient bio filtration, grater absorbtion with chemical media and a better pollish through the mechanical media.
HTH
rabbut

 

[Tobigara]

i don't mean to steal the thread. But i don't suppose someone can tell me why the cannister filter is better than the water fall, can they? i mean it's a unanimous decision in favor of the cannister so it must be a big difference right?

One simple reason. Volume. You can get much more media into a canister, in comparison with a HOB. HOB's are unable to take more than a few types of media, where as a canister will take what you throw at it, in most combinations. This gives more versitility and choise over your filtration, giving purer, cleaner water as the filters final result. Also, the increased area of canisters allow for a slower flow through the media, allowing more efficient bio filtration, grater absorbtion with chemical media and a better pollish through the mechanical media.
HTH
rabbut

awesome! thanks! if i were to switch from a marineland penguin350 bio-wheel for a 55 gal and a 60 gal, how would i go about it without having to cycle again? run both at once?

 

[rabbut]

awesome! thanks! if i were to switch from a marineland penguin350 bio-wheel for a 55 gal and a 60 gal, how would i go about it without having to cycle again? run both at once?

Simply throw the Penguin bio wheel foam into a canister filter, then start. That way all your existing bactiria are intraduce directly to the new filter. After a few weeks remove the old bio-wheel, if you whish to use other media at the same time, failing that, the canister can be the new home of the bio-wheel media. If you whish to use the bio-wheel elsewhere, than running the two filters side-by-side would be the next best option. Leave both running for at least a month before remoing the old filter
HTH
rabbut