Upgrading To External Filtration - Decided On A Eheim Classic

[Chri$]

After a lot of thought i have decided to purchase a external filter for my 20ukg planted tank. I am going to go for a Eheim classic cannister filter.

I don't know whether to go for the 2213+ or the 2215+. Would the 2215 be to much of a overkill?

The 2213 is rated for up to 55g but only has a flow rate of 440lph. Would it be worth paying an extra £10 to get the 2215?

It would be good to hear peoples opinions a on these filters as well

 

[Tolak]

For a planted tank you want less flow, water flow dissipated co2. In this case I would go for the 2213. You could use the 2215 & adjust the flow a little, if you plan on upgrading, or getting into messier fish such as cichlids or plecs I would go this route.

I have one of each of these, Eheim earned their reputation by selling a quality product. I have several other Eheim canisters, they get a real workout in my breeding setup, and are never a problem.

 

[Chri$]

Thanks for the reply Tolak.

Unfortunatly the tank is situated in a bedroom which is to small to upgrade much further.(Although i would love to) Also i don't plan on keeping Cichlids or larger messier fish in the near future.

So i think as you said the 2213 would be the best choice.

 

[jayjay]

You want strong flow, just not surface agitation, are you wanting to disperse CO2?

 

[Chri$]

No i am not wanting to disperse Co2. I am just wanting to over filter the tank.

The thing that got me wondering was my current internal power filter has a flow rate of 700lph - where as the eheim has a flow rate of 440lph.

 

[Tolak]

Filtering isn't just about flow rate, it also has to do with the quantity/quality of media involved. If your old filter has a flow rate of 700lph with 1/2l of media, a filter with 1l of media at 350lph will be accomplishing basically the same thing. Quantity of media is how canister filters can filter a larger tank with less flow. Your more expensive ceramic medias have more surface area than a sponge or floss, enabling them to sustain a larger bacteria colony for a given amount. This is more or less how Eheim canisters work so well, along with the engineering behind them that make them last so long. Of course if this is taken to extremes you have a useless filter, like a 700l drum of media with a flow rate of 1/2 lph. Generally speaking, a higher flow rate with less media is better at mechanical filtration, a lower flow rate with more media is better at bio filtration.

 

[Chri$]

Thanks Tolak. Thats cleared things up in my mind.

Another quick question - My tank is sat on a stand but i think the filter will be to tall to sit on the shelf. Will it be ok positioned on the floor or is there some kind of maximum drop rate?

 

[Tolak]

Here's a link to the specs on Eheim Classic filters; http/www.eheim.com/classic.htm

Delivery head is what you are concerned about. I have a 2026 that pumps from a few inches off the floor to about 5', and a 2222 & 2224 that are on the floor that pump up to nearly 6', which is past what they are supposed to pump. My 2213 sits about an inch off the floor & works with a 72 gallon on a standard stand just fine. The rest are homemade stands & racks that are considerably higher than a store bought stand. They easily deliver to a higher level than they are spec'ed to, which isn't surprising.

 

[Fwapp]

I have a eheim 2128 on my 20 gallon planted tank. So as not to drive the co2 off, i've posistioned the sprinkler bar under the water line, and I've also drilled open the holes in the sprinker bar, to reduce the pressure of the flowing water. So now i've got 750l/h flow rate, with 7.3l of filter material, and the tank does not look like it's in a hurricane!

HTH!

 

[QuotheRaven]

If Tolak uses a 2213 on a 72 gallon It makes me feel better that im using the same filter on a 75 gallon. I have my 2213 on a plastic sheet on my floor and it works fine and it usually doesn't work as well if higher up

 

[Chri$]

Thanks for the replys everyone. I shouldn't have any problems there then

Do you have to use the spray bar? If so i think i would position it below the water line as Fwapp has done.

 

[Tolak]

You don't have to use a spray bar, but it does help to diffuse the flow. You can position a spray bar horizontally or vertically, with no spray bar there is less diffusion of the filter output.

I have my 2213's spray bar set up vertically to get a little more flow on the bottom of the 72. Since it houses an oscar & a common plec I also have a pair of AquaClear 70's, and a powerhead with a pre-filter on the bottom to keep debris up where the hob filters can remove it.