Hi,
My fiance and I are planning to purchase 5 filters and we are torn between two models. We breed angelfish and use 20-29 gallon tanks. The tanks are bare bottom. Additionally, we prefer to leave the fry in with the parents to allow them to naturally cull the ones which have problems or genetic deformities...most of our breeding pairs are very good at this and are able to spot a problem long before we can. With that said, we obviously have a heavy biological load. We have been using medium sized hydro sponge filters, as well as Marineland Penguin 150 Bio-Wheel systems given they are reliable, inexpensive, and offer pretty high levels of biological filtration. We also change the water on a bi-daily schedule, but they are always small changes given you don't want to shock the fry. We have began adding smaller canister filters to our 20-40 gallon tanks...so far we have owned the: Marineland 250 and 350 Magnum Pro Systems, Marineland C-160, Fluval 105 and 205, Eheim 2213, 2215, 2222, 2026, 2028, 2229, 2227, 2232, 2234 and 2236, and Rena xP1. Every system has its pros and cons, but for our application with smaller tanks, the two filters which are the ideal systems are the Rena xP1 and the Eheim 2234 Ecco. For our application, we load these systems full of Eheim Substrat Pro which really seems to offer phenomonal biological capacity.
The Eheim 2234 Ecco offers a slightly larger media capacity, but does not have as good of a build quality of the Rena. With that said, we have never had any problems with the handles on any of our Ecco systems. The Rena has a smaller media capacity but a pump that moves 100+ additional gph over the Eheim. The Eheim is much easier to prime, but the Rena has better mounting hardware in regards to user customization. Both do however have fantastic mounting hardware in regards to stability/overall structure which has been a shortcomming in some of the other systems. Both are completely silent while operating and have long service lifes by design. Both have easy to use media baskets that accomidate Substrat Pro. Both have a similar price point.
We have an Eheim 2234 on one of our best breeder pairs currently and a Rena xP1 on our other top pair and we are very satisfied with both models. To keep things consistent, we would like to purchase all of one or the other and we cannot make up our minds. Does anyone have any thoughts, stories, etc that can tip the scale either way? Thanks in advance!
My fiance and I are planning to purchase 5 filters and we are torn between two models. We breed angelfish and use 20-29 gallon tanks. The tanks are bare bottom. Additionally, we prefer to leave the fry in with the parents to allow them to naturally cull the ones which have problems or genetic deformities...most of our breeding pairs are very good at this and are able to spot a problem long before we can. With that said, we obviously have a heavy biological load. We have been using medium sized hydro sponge filters, as well as Marineland Penguin 150 Bio-Wheel systems given they are reliable, inexpensive, and offer pretty high levels of biological filtration. We also change the water on a bi-daily schedule, but they are always small changes given you don't want to shock the fry. We have began adding smaller canister filters to our 20-40 gallon tanks...so far we have owned the: Marineland 250 and 350 Magnum Pro Systems, Marineland C-160, Fluval 105 and 205, Eheim 2213, 2215, 2222, 2026, 2028, 2229, 2227, 2232, 2234 and 2236, and Rena xP1. Every system has its pros and cons, but for our application with smaller tanks, the two filters which are the ideal systems are the Rena xP1 and the Eheim 2234 Ecco. For our application, we load these systems full of Eheim Substrat Pro which really seems to offer phenomonal biological capacity.
The Eheim 2234 Ecco offers a slightly larger media capacity, but does not have as good of a build quality of the Rena. With that said, we have never had any problems with the handles on any of our Ecco systems. The Rena has a smaller media capacity but a pump that moves 100+ additional gph over the Eheim. The Eheim is much easier to prime, but the Rena has better mounting hardware in regards to user customization. Both do however have fantastic mounting hardware in regards to stability/overall structure which has been a shortcomming in some of the other systems. Both are completely silent while operating and have long service lifes by design. Both have easy to use media baskets that accomidate Substrat Pro. Both have a similar price point.
We have an Eheim 2234 on one of our best breeder pairs currently and a Rena xP1 on our other top pair and we are very satisfied with both models. To keep things consistent, we would like to purchase all of one or the other and we cannot make up our minds. Does anyone have any thoughts, stories, etc that can tip the scale either way? Thanks in advance!
