Another eheim vs fluval thread

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HrHagel

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Sep 7, 2009
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So i'm setting up a 7x2x2 next month when i move, and i have been out looking for a decent canister to put on it.

I'm currently torn between the Eheim 2080 and the FX5 since i can get them for the exact same price. except the eheim is without media, and the fluval is with a full set of sponges.

The thing i'm torn between is the Fluval's higher flow rate over the eheim, as i'm looking at getting as much of a current as possible out of the canister, so i won't have to fit too many powerheads inside the tank, however, in my experience the eheim products i have owned have been far superior in maintenance and quality over any other product, however i have never owned any fluval pump system besides the U4 internal one which didn't impress me too much, so i don't know much about the build quality of the FX5.

The 2080 is rated at 1200L and the FX5 is rated at 1500L, although i doubt these figures play any role in real life, since it all depends on stock etc. am i right?

i also have the option to go for the Eheim 2078 3e 700, which is more technical and overall a nicer pump but has less volume but more flowrate over the 2080. The 3e is only rated at 700L though, but it will be combined with the 600L rated tetratech canister

What would you go for, and why?

Ps. there will also be a Tetratech ex1200 canister on it aswell
 
HrHagel;4128094; said:
So i'm setting up a 7x2x2 next month when i move, and i have been out looking for a decent canister to put on it.
Click to expand...

Congratts!!!


HrHagel;4128094; said:
I'm currently torn between the Eheim 2080 and the FX5 since i can get them for the exact same price. except the eheim is without media, and the fluval is with a full set of sponges.
Click to expand...

I've got complete respect for the Eheim brand of filters, although I personally have not justified the price enough to invest in one myself... The FX5 hasn't impressed me much 'on paper', but there are a great number of users that seem quite happy so I wouldn't say anything against them...

But I would like to suggest you consider a Pressurized Pond Filter. I've used the BioForce 2000 for indoor aquariums for several years and was extremely pleased with the result. You'll have to design and put together your own plumbing, but I was able to get almost twice the media capacity and over twice the flow rate that the FX5 boasts... for the same price as the FX5...

If you search this folder for "BioForce 2000" you will find several threads where I have explained my experience in detail decorated with many suggestions of how to utilize this filter for indoor aquarium use.


HrHagel;4128094; said:
The 2080 is rated at 1200L and the FX5 is rated at 1500L, although i doubt these figures play any role in real life, since it all depends on stock etc. am i right?.
Click to expand...

Absolutely correct. Pay attention to things like flow rate, media volume, potential bypass, media types, media layout... but disregard the "up to XXXX liter tank" ratings.


iloveoscars702;4129021; said:
the lower flow rate helps with biological filtration. look at this one
Click to expand...

While I do understand that a slower flow rate results in more of a "dwell time"... it is not true that the lower flow rate results in more efficient biological filtration.

It is simply not true to think that any aquarium filter moves water so quickly that bacteria cannot efficiently pull waste byproducts from the water...
 
nc_nutcase;4129200; said:
Congratts!!!




I've got complete respect for the Eheim brand of filters, although I personally have not justified the price enough to invest in one myself... The FX5 hasn't impressed me much 'on paper', but there are a great number of users that seem quite happy so I wouldn't say anything against them...

But I would like to suggest you consider a Pressurized Pond Filter. I've used the BioForce 2000 for indoor aquariums for several years and was extremely pleased with the result. You'll have to design and put together your own plumbing, but I was able to get almost twice the media capacity and over twice the flow rate that the FX5 boasts... for the same price as the FX5...

If you search this folder for "BioForce 2000" you will find several threads where I have explained my experience in detail decorated with many suggestions of how to utilize this filter for indoor aquarium use.




Absolutely correct. Pay attention to things like flow rate, media volume, potential bypass, media types, media layout... but disregard the "up to XXXX liter tank" ratings.




While I do understand that a slower flow rate results in more of a "dwell time"... it is not true that the lower flow rate results in more efficient biological filtration.

It is simply not true to think that any aquarium filter moves water so quickly that bacteria cannot efficiently pull waste byproducts from the water...
Click to expand...
Thanks for your reply and excellent suggestion!
However, i have what feels like 10 thumbs when it comes to me being a handyman, and i don't really know anyone that would come over and do the plumbing for me :D
So basically, i wouldn't trust myself performing something like that, and risking doing it wrong and then have 210 gallons of water all over the floor.

But then, what would be your choice if you could buy any ready-to-go canister out there?
 
iloveoscars702;4129021; said:
ive been using eheim since i got into fish keeping and i absolutely love this brand. the lower flow rate helps with biological filtration. look at this one http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3579+3580+12064&pcatid=12064
Click to expand...
I looked up the specs on the pump you linked to, and it looks beastly, however aside from the not too appealing design, there doesn't seem to be any siphon button, and also the hoses seem rather unpractically placed at the base of the canister.

I'm looking for something as easy as possible to maintain and setup!

Thanks for your suggestion and interest in this thread though, and if you have more suggestions please fire away :)
 
Howdy,

Forget the Eheim Pro 3 line.

Think big: Eheim 2262. Same flow as FX5, 3x bigger canister volume= more capacity for biofiltration. I am running 2x 2262 on my 220 gal :D I am running one 2080 on a 75 gal...

HarleyK
 
fluvals are so much easier to work on and repair and ehiems have a ton of things that can and will break
 
HarleyK;4132091; said:
Howdy,

Forget the Eheim Pro 3 line.

Think big: Eheim 2262. Same flow as FX5, 3x bigger canister volume= more capacity for biofiltration. I am running 2x 2262 on my 220 gal :D I am running one 2080 on a 75 gal...

HarleyK
Click to expand...

:iagree:

I was a big Fluval FX5 fan until I saw the Ehiem 2262. Eheim FTW!!!!
 
I have 2 Eheim 2080 and a fluval FX 5. The Eheim have better build quality by far, I almost can't hear them working. Combined consume the same amount of electricity as the FX5. The dual intakes of the 2080 can be positioned lower if you have pool filter sand bottom without sucking up sand.
The FX5 flows more gph by 20% and is a bit better in mech filtration.
 
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