Filtration Help?

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sheajared

Gambusia
MFK Member
Jul 26, 2011
564
1
16
Stillwater, MN
I'm looking into a canister filter that will be running on my 125 gallon when I get it, but for now on my 29 gallon. I am thinking about the Eheim 2217, is this a good filter? It's rated for 159 gallon tanks. What other canisters should I look at?

Thanks.
Jared
 
I like the Eheim 2217 so far. Have one running for a couple of months now on a 55 gal pleco tank and just added a second one.
Rena Filstar, seems popular, far no personal experiences with this filter. Fluval has some new models you could look at.
 
Nu-Clear is my favorite canister filter and can easily handle a 125.
 
I really like the Rena line for features to cost, but one wouldn't cut it on a 125. Two would be better.

Eheim makes great filters as well. The manufacturers ratings are a little far fetched IMO. Fx5 could handle it too. Lotsa options for canisters
 
Just the mere fact you said Eheim tells me you are on the right track. I still think the classic series is tops in the industry. But I would go for the 2260 or 2262 if you have the funds. But you can not go wrong with the 2217.
 
Have you considered using two separate filters for your planned 125 gal?. This would make it easier to run one filter on your 29 gal and then adding a second one later when your 125 gal is setup.
 
I have had a rena xp3 running for three years now without one single problem, and I got it used! A couple of months after having the xp3, I bought a used ehem 2217 and then another used 2215 which I replaced the impeller with that of 2217. And I don't know what happened but I ended up with a xp3, two 2217's, a 2215 and a 2213. I used to have the xp3 and 2217 filtering my old 125g, along with a large sponge filter from a powerful deep air pump. I just bought another 2217 from fostersmith for $85 on cyber monday and it came yesterday. So I now have the xp3/2215/2x2217 filtering my 180g and the 2217/2213 filtering my 58g.

From all of the used filters mentioned above, I had only two wear-n-tear issues (not problems!). The 2215's impeller needed a replacement, and the 2213's rubber seal ring got cracked up from sitting dry for too long with the previous owner. Cleaning and priming is a breeze for me with these filters. And they are quiet and excellent at doing their job too.

I would recommend the eheim classic and rena xp3.
 
Just remember when the box says "FX5 900 GPH" its actually flow is only around 375-450 GPH. Canisters are really meant for ponds that dont have the benefit of gravity but advertising has brought them into the tank market. Anyway you slice the cake a sump will filter better and be way more energy effecient. I would get a 15$ overhead for the small tank then convert it into your sump when you get the bigger tank.
 
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