Which External Eheim Filter Is Proper For 30 Gallons (114L)

[NeonBlueLeon]

Hey folks,
 
I'm planning a 30 gallon tank to be setup in the next few months, and I've started shopping for external filters.  It will be a planted freshwater tank.
 
The dimensions of the tank are 36" x 12" x 16" (91cm x 30cm x 41cm).
 
I have chosen Eheim it has been recommended to me by a lot of people.  Now, I am trying to choose which Eheim filter would be best in a tank this size.  I want it to be an external filter.
 
I've looked at the Eheim Classic 250, Eheim Ecco 130 and 200.  Their website has grandiose claims about filtration power of the small-looking Eheim Ecco 130.  Of course, I'm assuming they will be overselling their product.
 
So, has anyone had experience with these filters, and can advise me on which one would be best?  I'm not married to Eheim Ecco, Classic, or even the Eheim brand too much.  Fluval is a brand that I've been recommended to, but the prices are a turn-off for me.  Is there a big difference in quality between Fluval and Eheim?
 
Thanks for any input!

 

[MojoDex]

Eheim are significantly better than Fluval in every way possible, so please stick with Eheim. I would reccomend the Eheim classic 2213 for your tank, here's a link to a US seller for you, It comes with all media and the taps. $80 is a very good price IMO.
 
http/www.ebay.com/itm/Eheim-2213-Classic-Series-Canister-Filter-w-Media-Good-for-tanks-up-to-65-Gal-/281181195395?pt=Fish_Filters&hash=item4177b48c83

 

[b3cca]

I have a 125 litre which is roughly the same volume as yours and use the ecco pro 300 on mine as it has 3 media baskets and a claimed turn over of 750 lph.
 
I doubt the ecco pro 120 would be enough for a planted tank it would only be about 4 x turnover an hour max for your tank and it only has 1 media basket.
 
The price difference between the ecco pro 130 and 300 is hardly anything but you get so much more versatility with the 300 so I would pay the slightly extra and get the 300 if you decide on the Ecco Pro

 

[daizeUK]

I use the Eheim Classic 2213 for my  32G.
It's only just setup but as I have a planted tank I am starting to wish I had the next model up, the 2215 for extra flow.

 

[m00ms]

i have a 200lt tank which i believe is 40 gallon and i am running two eheims,2071&2073 and i am well happy with them,best externals i have used.
 
the 2071 i brought new and the 2073 i got second hand as a leaking filter,very easy fix as just made a 3mm thick rubber gasket to go under the prime plunger and leak fixed.
 
both silent filters and water is crystal clean.

 

[NeonBlueLeon]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone!  Is there significant difference between the Classic and Ecco lines besides energy consumption?
 
I realized that I should spare no expense when it comes to filtration!

 

[MojoDex]

The ecco's are actually eheims worst effort, I would highly reccomend the classics they are near flawless filters. I have one that is over 20 years old and still going strong!

 

[TaurineLittle]

Heh, I personally think for versatility, you cant beat a DIY canister filter I built my own out of PVC DWV piping, a threaded coupling, threaded end cap and a socket end cap. and just plumbed an inline pump straight into the side of it. You can build your own with higher capacity and flowrates for the same price as the eheims and fluvals. The canister that I built for my 250L planted tank has the ability to turn the tank over 12x a hour and has the same capacity as the eheim classic 2217, I built it for half the price of the 2217.
If your a bit of a handyman you should be able to do it as well

 

[MojoDex]

Heh, I personally think for versatility, you cant beat a DIY canister filter

I built my own out of PVC DWV piping, a threaded coupling, threaded end cap and a socket end cap. and just plumbed an inline pump straight into the side of it. You can build your own with higher capacity and flowrates for the same price as the eheims and fluvals. The canister that I built for my 250L planted tank has the ability to turn the tank over 12x a hour and has the same capacity as the eheim classic 2217, I built it for half the price of the 2217.
If your a bit of a handyman you should be able to do it as well

Any links to a guide on this? Sounds interesting.

 

[richpowell1989]

+1 on the eheim I believe they are extremely better than fluvals in every way.

 

[Mads]

Hey Neonblueleon
 
When you have plans for a planted tank keep in mind that circulation is as one of the main means of keeping algae down and ensuring that your plants have access to fertilizers all the time. So for a 114 L  a 650 L/H or more would to the trick
 
Regards

 

[NeonBlueLeon]

DIY is something I'd love to get into one day, but I'm working and I have school, so I can't commit enough time to do DIY project just yet.  One day though.
 

When you have plans for a planted tank keep in mind that circulation is as one of the main means of keeping algae down and ensuring that your plants have access to fertilizers all the time. So for a 114 L  a 650 L/H or more would to the trick

Thanks!  I've heard a lot of different things about proper turnover rate.  Would this be the ideal amount for a planted tank?  I've heard people swear by a 10x turnover.

 

[nortonmad213]

I fully agree with all the ehiem recommendations I have the classic 350for my 170l and it provides plenty of water movement and around knocks out about 620l turnover. My lfs supplies them full of media so that's an expense u can save yourself

 

[TaurineLittle]

 

Heh, I personally think for versatility, you cant beat a DIY canister filter

I built my own out of PVC DWV piping, a threaded coupling, threaded end cap and a socket end cap. and just plumbed an inline pump straight into the side of it. You can build your own with higher capacity and flowrates for the same price as the eheims and fluvals. The canister that I built for my 250L planted tank has the ability to turn the tank over 12x a hour and has the same capacity as the eheim classic 2217, I built it for half the price of the 2217.
If your a bit of a handyman you should be able to do it as well

Any links to a guide on this? Sounds interesting.
 

 
Yeah, this is the guy thats got me into 'DIY'ing a lot of my stuff with fishtanks. http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVWqq73mW_4
Essentially all a canister filter is, is a a sealed cylinder plumbed to the tank with a pump plumbed inline. Best thing, you decide your filter flow rate and capacity.

 

[NeonBlueLeon]

I love Joey!! I have tons of his videos bookmarked for future use.