Fluval FX5 vs Eheim 2180...Which is better ?

[arodini]

The OP is still planning so...

If you could wait a bit, probably to the week after the Black Friday, DrsFosterSmith usually have filters at 50% off. I bought a 2217 with full media for $80 which is so far the best deal in filter I've had. For my 180g, I currently have 2x 2217, 1x xp3 and 1x 2215 with 2217 impeller mod. If I didn't already have any filter, I'd buy 4x 2217's for my 180g for $320 with a big sponge filter and be set for a very long time trouble-free.

 

[Mudfrog]

I just bought my FX5 for $250 to the door.. It's hard to beat that price for the amount of filtration that you get.

 

[strollo22]

I just bought my FX5 for $250 to the door.. It's hard to beat that price for the amount of filtration that you get.

^^This

 

[Bobtastic6]

i'm a huge fan of my fx-5. it is super quiet and easy to setup/break down. the differnet filtration mediums that fluval offers for it make it easy to adjust on the fly depending on your current needs (provided you have a good LFS) . i know i have had a few times where i need to buy a hardcore ammonia remover or a specail phosphate remover, and i can easly make room for a bag in one of the baskets for a shape/style of bag not made by fluval.

 

[Box car willy]

I have 2 200 gallons one with a fx6 and a aquwa 110 to move water and another with a ehiem classic 1500xl and a aquwa 110 I was a huge fluval fan for years but when I bought the 1500 xl the fluval cant compare especially with bio load ! There both good filters but fluval is built in china and ehiem Germany and u notice the difference just in the parts when u build it ! Not putting down fluval but if I were to choose ehiem all the way !!!

 

[ECW]

Eheim quality is second to none.

 

[dan518]

Pfk magazine did a comparison test on these two filters, the Eheim came out on top by quite along way for bio filtration due to an extra 8 lt of filter media and the slower turn over rate which gives the water more contact time with the media. Fx5 is better mechanical filters and whether the Eheim is worth the extra $ is up to the buyer

 

[KQizzle]

I just recently picked up a 180 gallon tank and also a fx6, im excited! i've always been a fluval user, currently have a 75G with a fluval 406.

 

[Fish Tank Travis]

Um, I know it's not an option you mentioned, but 55gal sump...FTW! Easy to find a drill kit, and cheap. Then, you just need some tubing/piping to get to the sump and done!