I have a new 180 tank and am considering both of these filters. i am having a hard time deciding which to choose. The top of my tank is 5 ft from the ground floor. I plan to keep 3 or 4 large CA cichlids. My main concern, other than price, is ease of cleaning. Which canister is easier to clean ? Ease of cleaning for me means more frequent cleaning and therefore a healthier aquarium. I had a Fluval 406 on a 90 gallon at one time and the top of the canister was very difficult to lifit up, I have to pry it up with a screwdriver. And the pads would get dirty fairly quick, probably from overfeeding, and the flitler outtake would blow the food around too much. What are your thoughts on these issues ? Another factor is power. Which has the lower wattage ?
Ehiem 2262 or Fluval FX6
- Thread starter Ken Gallant
- Start date
I have an fx6 and used to have an eheim. I like my fx6 better. I just wish there was a good solution for the inline heater issue
If ease of cleaning is the priority, I would go fx6, personally.
I find the separate media baskets easier to clean than the mess that one big pile of media leaves you to deal with. The baskets also helps direct the flow through the media.
On the other hand, the big open canister lets you put whatever you want in it, however you want it.
Other than ease of cleaning, I like that the output and intake are both black on the fx6 since my display tanks are black in the back. Over the long term, they also stay in place more easily than the eheim's. On the other hand, the eheim has a spray bar if that is important to you.
There really isn't a bad choice with either of those filters.
I find the separate media baskets easier to clean than the mess that one big pile of media leaves you to deal with. The baskets also helps direct the flow through the media.
On the other hand, the big open canister lets you put whatever you want in it, however you want it.
Other than ease of cleaning, I like that the output and intake are both black on the fx6 since my display tanks are black in the back. Over the long term, they also stay in place more easily than the eheim's. On the other hand, the eheim has a spray bar if that is important to you.
There really isn't a bad choice with either of those filters.
I know it's not what you asked, but to Dalto's point, also check hydor. They use media baskets, are easy to prime and easy to use and work in. I love the one I have and I never thought I would like a canister filter.
The baskets are all the same in the bucket, so you can change and arrange them however you like.
Sorry to add more options and not weigh in on the original 2 you asked about. I thought it was worth a mention.
The baskets are all the same in the bucket, so you can change and arrange them however you like.
Sorry to add more options and not weigh in on the original 2 you asked about. I thought it was worth a mention.
I had both , Eheim I just back flushed every 6 months , tore down once a year. ( it ws my bio filter , sump was my mech filter) .. FX5 /6 was used as combination filter bio and mech tore down every 60 days , back flushed once a month. The only reason I had both types, couldnt afford a fish room full of Eheims .. Even used high $$.. FX5/6 could pick up used ones for 100-150.. only issue with FX5 was sand got into impellers and 1 circuit board went bad .
( had 8 of these) .. preferred would be Eheim, never missed a beat in 5 years
( had 8 of these) .. preferred would be Eheim, never missed a beat in 5 years