Canister filter training wheels....

[Lonewolfblue]

The in-line valves that Eheim provides with their canisters make cleaning a breeze. I have the Classic 2217 model.

I clean the impeller about once a month, but otherwise I don't really touch the media. I'll rinse the filter pads out every now and then, its been the lowest-maintenance piece of equipment I've bought for a tank ever. I also use ACs and as much as I like them, I think they are messier to clean than the Eheim canister by far...

I have heard the that Renas have individual trays for the layers of media...is that true? I can see that making cleaning really easy...

Yes, the XP1 has 1 basket, the XP2 has 2, the XP3 has 3, and the XP4 has 4. And each basket also has a divider, so each basket is divided into an upper basket and lower basket. So for total compartments on the XP4, there's 8 compartments for media.

 

[rallysman]

It's not running, and zero water spilled.

I unplug the filter, lift the lever and slowly pull the hoses off, releasing the pressure in the canister. If done quickly, you will spill some. Trick is to break the seal first, then lift the hoses off, no spillage. Then I take the canister, walk 5 steps to the sink, open the canister top and pull the baskets out, setting them in the sink. I pull the sponges out of the bottom basket and give a quick rinse in the tank water that's left in the canister, then place them back into the basket. If my ceramic cylinders don't look mucky, I leave them alone. Then I rinse the fine pad quickly under the sink. When everything is back in the baskets, I dump the canister into the sink and quickly rinse out the housing, put the baskets back in, and the top back on. Walk 5 steps again and place canister under the tank, put hose unit back on, push lever down to prime. I wait til I hear the water stop flowing, then plug back in. Filter shoots out bubbles for like 20 seconds, then stops and all is running. All done in 4 minutes and 38 seconds.

I read the previous statement as you cleaning it with it running, not stopping the timer with it running LOL.
Still, that's a hell of a lot more difficult than a wet/dry.

 

[Lonewolfblue]

I read the previous statement as you cleaning it with it running, not stopping the timer with it running LOL.
Still, that's a hell of a lot more difficult than a wet/dry.

Think you misread it, lol. That time is from when I unplug the canister til it's back up and running. Not cleaning while it's running, lol. That's impossible, lol.

 

[rallysman]

Think you misread it, lol. That time is from when I unplug the canister til it's back up and running. Not cleaning while it's running, lol. That's impossible, lol.

Thats what I thought

 

[ewurm]

Think you misread it, lol. That time is from when I unplug the canister til it's back up and running. Not cleaning while it's running, lol. That's impossible, lol.

I'll give you a dollar to try it!

 

[Lonewolfblue]

I'll give you a dollar to try it!

 

[KABB44423]

I have had that model and the two above it running for about 3 years with no problems and very little mantainence. It is a cheap filter, but it is effective.

I would not suggest using and FX filter though. That is one line of canisters I don't like... and I like canisters. The FX5 might win me over, but them 304, 404 and others like them... not very good filters IMO.

what all do you have or put in your trays for filtration?

 

[KABB44423]

i actually like my cascade 1500?? its there biggest model its not that bad of a filter use it for chemipure and purigen on ocaision they are a good bang for the buck imo

i also have a 1500 ////how do you clean yours and what type of stuff do you keep in your trays?

 

[Lonewolfblue]

I have all XP's, but for media, all I use is sponges, ceramic cylinders, and filter floss. That's pretty much it.

 

[crashinc25]

I have army men (green & beige), ceramics (2 kinds), & lava rocks. I have enough mechanical for upcoming filters.