Can anyone compare the FX5 to the eheim 2262?

[leeishom]

Informative, unique thread.

I've been running my fx5 for 5 months now with a 1200 GPH pre filter sponge on the intake; no problems! Opened up the unit 7 times now, just for preventive maintenancing.

Replace the stock output nozzle with a 90* PVC elbow, flow rate is so much more!

 

[Burto]

Best as I can figure it seems the Fx 5 wins these categories
1) Mech 2) efficiency 3 ) price

The 2262 wins these categories
1) build quality 2) bio capacity 3) design

Haven't seen anywhere that the 2262 releases microbubbles like the Fx5, and the eheim classics have been basically the same since they invented the canister some eleventybillion years ago. But the thing that sells me the most is the biocapacity of the filter. To me, that's the most important piece of the puzzle. That's where I judge a good canister. Flow doesn't mean much if it's just passing water through a canister with little volume for bio.


Just seems that even though the Fx 5 is a great deal for the price, the quality and volume for bio of the 2262 make it the easy winner, for me.

As far as I can tell, bio capacity is the least relevant point of contention between the two filters. Basically, there's nothing a 2262's media capacity can do for an aquarium with more water than fish that an FX5's can't.
See here for discussion: http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=381621&page=3

 

[Jc1119]

As far as I can tell, bio capacity is the least relevant point of contention between the two filters. Basically, there's nothing a 2262's media capacity can do for an aquarium with more water than fish that an FX5's can't.
See here for discussion: http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=381621&page=3

Good discussion. Thanks for the link. It may be the least relevant for those who dont view bio as the #1 factor in filtration, but personally I do. My experience has always been the more bio the better. I've always used mutiple large bio filters on my tanks more for pom than anything. It is my belief that several larger thinner biofilters can adapt to a change in the environment more quickly than single denser ones can.

I run 4 separate filters on each of my tanks all with a bio stage. I also collect some very messy, and often hard to feed plecos. Sometimes I have to leave food in for several days for them to eat. I'm a weekly water changer, so nitrates are the least of my concern. As is mech filtration for that matter since it usually never stays in long enough to present an issue. Is what I'm doing overkill. Probably. But I do have healthy very stable tanks.

It's also important to note that my personal situation is a bit different from your average fishkeeper. I travel on average 200-250 days a year sometimes being gone for 6 weeks at a time, and during these trips I have to trust my wife, who is admittedly a non-fish person, to feed correctly and do the water changes. I know sometimes there is an excessive amount if food being fed and she occasionally misses a water change, but that's why I try to bulletproof my systems as much as possible.

Very good information though. Guess I'm just a bio advocate. Fir me the more the better.

 

[Jc1119]

I'm sure I read it in here somewhere but I can't seen to find it right now. Is the only difference between the 2260-2262 the pump? The Fx5 is so compelling pricewise, that if I'm gonna spend the $ on 2 2262's doesn't it make more sense to buy 2 2260's and add the 1262 pumps to them? I can always use extra or backup pumps, but 2 Fx5's for $500 is hard to beat.

I know I want 2 of whatever for sure, but it just seems like if I'm gonna spend the money I might as well get the extra pumps. Thanks!

 

[rhodes_96]

This was originally posted by rhodes_96. My comments were posted below comparing these two filters. I totally agree with your comments, i belive rhodes never had a 2262 or has something else, comparing drain valve and quick disconnects of the two filters make no sense, my 2262 came with drain valve and quick disconnects, all 2262 comes like that, also all the 2260 have a drain valve as well witch its basically the same filter except for the pump, I also have a 2250 this one has no drain valve.
2 nu-clear

I will state again the the 2262 which i have, did not come with drain valve, or easy disconnect fittings. In place of the drain valve is a grey hexagonal threaded cap. The valve and easy disconnects were available as an option about a year after I purchased this filter back in the early to mid 90's from lfs at the time. The top assembly that covers the pump came in it's own seperate white cardboard packaging from the rest of the filter.

I checked yesterday at an aquarium shop that stocks this filter and the one they had for sale at ($1099) came in a larger single box with everything included as it should.

 

[Norbert]

I have 2 2262s and 2 2080s..I had an FX5

as far as I'm concerned the only thing the FX5 has going for it over the Eheim is that it's cheaper...which means nothing if you consider I threw mine in a back corner of the fishroom after 2 months of fighting the micro bubbles, junk as far as I'm concerned.

Spend a little more upfront and get a real filter, Eheim all the way

 

[deeda]

John, the only difference between the 2260 (uses the 1260 pump @ 65 Watts) and the 2262 (uses the 1262 pump @ 80 Watts) is the pump. Though the 2262 does come with the Q.D. taps (usually). Buying the Q.D.'s separately is quite expensive for the intake tubing which probably accounts for the price difference between filters.

 

[Jc1119]

John, the only difference between the 2260 (uses the 1260 pump @ 65 Watts) and the 2262 (uses the 1262 pump @ 80 Watts) is the pump. Though the 2262 does come with the Q.D. taps (usually). Buying the Q.D.'s separately is quite expensive for the intake tubing which probably accounts for the price difference between filters.

Perfect. Thats what I was wondering. Where's the catch?

Money wise it ends up bring basically the same then.

Cool thanks!!

 

[Jgray152]

as far as I'm concerned the only thing the FX5 has going for it over the Eheim is that it's cheaper...which means nothing if you consider I threw mine in a back corner of the fishroom after 2 months of fighting the micro bubbles, junk as far as I'm concerned.

Fx5 does not spit micro bubbles for no reason. The only reason it would do this is if the media clogs... not talking only the sponges. the bio media as well.

Ehiem has one major flaw in every single design......... NO FLOW! They are horrible at producing a good flow. If you want current created in your tank and don't want to eat up electricity.....Fx5 all the way.

 

[Spiritofthesoul]

I checked yesterday at an aquarium shop that stocks this filter and the one they had for sale at ($1099) came in a larger single box with everything included as it should.

1099 is pure epic fail. You should go up to the shop keeper and tell him the truth.