Fluval Or Eheim

[michaelwgroves]

I think the Eheim Pro 3 2080 is the equivalent. I dont know if this is the review andywg is refering to, but this is one I read when researching the fx5 and it was under lab conditions.. http/www.discusforums.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7080

NOISE
Both filters are quiet by modern standards but the Fluval is a lot noiser then the Eheim measuring out at 43db @ 1 meter vs the Eheims 19db !
The Fluval is quiet but the Eheim is so quiet you have to check it see if its working !

I read this article and it is a very good comparison, had me questioning if I purchased the correct filter. However, when you think about it, My FX5 is very quiet, okay the Ehiem is quiet'er, but at these levels I think it would be tough to notice the difference.
Okay you say, but the Eheim has better bilogical filtration, yep can't argue that, but the test was done during fishless cycling, okay you save 2 days on the Eheim.....but during a normal day your ammonia will never climb that high, so both filters are more than adequate for the biological filtration. Flow rate is better on FX5 and it's half price. Maybe the design is a bit noddy, but it's simple. I can't see that much can go wrong. The only moving part is the motor.

My money is on the FX5 everytime, if your concerned with reliability, simply buy a second FX5 with the money you saved on the Eheim.

 

[the biffster]

i wouldn't know i run both i run 4 fluvals and 4 eheims one wet and dry and find them all very good filter some of them are
over 5 years old now but they just keep running they are maintained every four to six months

 

[andywg]

My money is on the FX5 everytime, if your concerned with reliability, simply buy a second FX5 with the money you saved on the Eheim.

If I am concerned about reliability then I probably wouldn't buy two filters from a company that is known to have reliability problems. I must also express my doubt that the Fluvals will last as long as the Eheims.

 

[the biffster]

i have mates that have both over 10 to 15 years old and still running strong its just clips seals and impellers that were out
but all can be replaced

 

[2day]

I just went to my lfs earlier today and asked what was the difference between the Eheim Pro II 2028 and the Fluval FX5...

She said, that both were really good, but fluval was just as good as Eheim. The only reason that Fluval created the new series was because of the complaints they recieved from the gaskets producing a leak, and leaks coming from everywhere; so in return they produced the new line of Fluvals... Now they are apparently better than ever, and if not, correct me if i am wrong, almost identical with the tasks they perform.

I recently received a quote (i'm in australia, sydney so aussie $) on a Eheim Professional II from lfs around me and almost died when i saw the price... $699.00! That is insane!!! And the 2026 was just a little inexpensive.

For that ammount of money, i can buy two Fluval FX5's that practically do the same job; and the flow rate is bigger at $379.00 each.

However, can you buy the fluval spraybar Link and just attach it to the hosing or something?

Something that i aint quite agree to is the most unique design on the actual body, and that you, yourself have to cut the tube to your liking. Even still, they only provide you with 3m worth of hosing!!! How pathetic!

Even though i had set my heart on the eheim pro II/III, i am actually impressed with fluval. I saw a model on one of the fish tanks in the store (i think it was the 305 or 405), and was impressed with the flow rate and how clear the tank was.

Even though i wont be getting this tank ready till early next year, i will most probably stick to the fluval; and it will also help me keep my costs down dramatically as i am only 15 years old!!! So every dollar counts basically, and i guess i better start saving ... I reckon the minimum i will have to save up would be around $2000!

Its amazing how fish can really mesmerise your mind lol...

 

[idlefingers]

In my experience lfs prices for filters are stupidly high. My lfs sells the 2026 for £160 and the 2028 for £200.. without media!!! I bought a 2028 online with media for £120.

 

[2day]

I know, it is really pointless not selling the filter media with the filter lol... Manufacturers these days!

 

[DarkEntity]

Eheim every time for me, but avoid the cheap ECCO range. Fluvals are better then they used to be, but frankly they do not have the same build quality and always seem to leak a little, not enough to be serious but enough to annoy.

Some of my Eheim's are 20 years old.

I Love the little Ecco's great kit for the price and very good filters for the tanks they recommmend running them on. Granted they wont compare to the Pro's but they are substantially cheaper, and a great starter filter or a great filter for most tanks up to 200litres (think thats the 2236 top end)

 

[clinton ><>]

i use both and i find that fluval is twice as good as eheim in my opinion

 

[mainecoon]

I am running 2 Rena XP3's,1 Fluval 204,1 Eheim 2215 and an Aqua Pro SP3 and in order of quality, value and reliability I would place the Aqua Pro 1st due to its excellent value (£45.00) and superb build quality (not far off eheim quality but for less than half the price), 2nd would be the eheim (not worth twice as much as the aqua pro) but a great filter, 3rd the rena's, had a few maintenance problems with them (hard to prime and seem to leak for while after cleaning) and they are quite noisy, and last would be the fluval as it has required a few parts lately but is a good filter otherwise

 

[Viettxboii]

depends though , ive never had any experiences with them but my dad used to run fluvals when iwas a kid, and he said they were pretty good, never used ehiems, but good as far as i know seeing as people on this forum like them a good amount

 

[ArauraDiscus]

Yeah get the filters online. My local fish store is selling a Magnum 350 for 150 dollars, major overprice. Cou can get it for 70 dollars in many places online. Rena Xp3 were 175. Online you can get an Xp3 for 100 dollars. I actually bought a Rena Xp3, but I had a 30 percent employee discount and discount cards so It cost be 110 dollars, so I saved 5-10 dollars of shipping payments from buying it online, but generally they are cheaper online.

I'm trying to get a Jebo Oddyssea for a mere 40 dollars, rated at 150 gallons, because it's an online buy foremost, and a nearly no name brand secondly. I almost got a cascade 1000 for 100 gallon tanks at 50 dollars. I also am currently trying to get a rena xp3 for an amazing 50 dollars and a rena xp4 for an even more amazing 110 dollars. We will see how these pan out of the next few days.

 

[reggieschuey]

Eheim for sure!

 

[Bastables]

A review of the eheim pro 3 and the FX5, intresting from the point of view of actul flow rates with media and the ability of both to actully filter.

http/biotope.multiply.com/reviews

 

[DarkEntity]

Another vote for Ehiem, ive been using them for about 15 years on and off. Never had one fail on me yet. The same couldnt be said for Flual filters ive owned.Another vote for Ehiem, ive been using them for about 15 years on and off. Never had one fail on me yet. The same couldnt be said for Flual filters ive owned. Ill happily pay the extra for an Ehiem with the knowlede its going to work come rain or shine, as Andy said you get what you pay for.