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The eheim G160 does 330 GPH (which is half of what the fx5 pushes) but *only uses 16 watts per hour. Rated for 160 gallon tank. Priced at *$289.99 at The Pet Place.*
You have been on MFK this long and you still don't know manufacturer ratings for filters are BS? That 330gph measurement is for the filter without media at no head height... Add media and head height into the equation, along with a heavy stock to clog it up, and I'd bet you get around 200gph or less. Try a test at head height yourself and you will see that you aren't getting 330gph. Even if you were, 330 gph is not enough turnover for a 160 gallon tank! You're really underfiltered.
The eheim 2262 is the best one to use, but it's discontinued.. was top of the line.. but it had a 900 gph mag drive pump on it which is why it uses so much electric. He can get away with using something other than this canister filter.*
Wrong again... 2260 was discontinued, not 2262. And let's get back on actual flow rates... Eheim 2262 rated by Eheim at 900gph has been tested my HarleyK at 330gph in real world flow at 80 watts (yet another reason I seriously doubt your filters are getting anywhere near 330 gph!!!
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-282691.html
The FX5 has been tested and gets 600gph! That's double the flow of a freaking 2262 at almost half the wattage and half the price!
There have been tons of Fx5 issues.. clogging, breaking, the motors/impellers go out quickly- and they are just as expensive to buy replacements. * The motor itself is $150.00.*
Tell that to all the MFKers running them with no issues. JK47 has like 5 now and some have been running for years and he's never had a single issue, and I've never had any problems with mine. Have you owned one?
Eheims have tons of issues! I've owned several and currently run a 2217. PITA to prime if some air gets in it, and if you do some googling you can find plenty of problems people have with them.
Not to mention, you spend all this money on a filter, and you have to buy more media for it. *
They come with sponges, and with the money you save (they go for $230 on eBay) you can easily afford whatever media you want and still have enough money leftover to buy a bunch of new fish compared to a 2262.
Oh, and have fun if you ever need to track down parts or customer service from Eheim.
Go to the longest lasting equipment thread, you will see eheim's name all over it.
Well, considering FX5s have only been out a few years, that would be expected, no? Eheims have been around for decades. That doesn't make them better filters. You absolutely cannot beat the value, flow, and IME reliability and ease of use with an FX5 for big canisters, period.
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