Good canister filter or not?

[2004exrider]

Hey guys, I finally picked up a canister filter and want to know your opinions on it please. For a descent price i got an Eheim 2233. My current filtration is a Penguin 350 and an Undergravel filter (55 gallon), my ammonia and nitrites are zero so im planning on using this for mechanical filtration but might put some bio balls in it later on for some added biological filtration. I know Eheim is a top name but is this model gonna be alright?

Thanks
Jimmy

 

[jcardona1]

Don't use bioballs in a canister filter, those are for wet/drys

 

[FSM]

I've heard they aren't great, compared to other eheims. It should work just fine though.

Like the other guy said, don't use bioballs in a canister. Get some other kinds, like ceramic disks (like fluval biomax) or sintered glass (eheim makes some)

 

[2004exrider]

Cool, thanks for clarifying that, im just trying to figure out what they are showing on the box for bio material? They look like little pellets to put in, sadly all the language on the box is german so i guess i'll never know haha. Any other advice you guys have please chime in, positive or negative i'll appreciate it!

Thanks

 

[Rocketman]

they are "sintered quartz", I have a box of them, and a number of Eheims with them in and the other type that looks like little white stones. they are supposed to have extreme surface area for very extreme bacteria colonization, for optimum decomposition of waste. I don't think there's a difference in action between the two. actually I have quite a lot of Eheim filters. I never heard of the 2233. these filters seem to me to be the best engineered for ease of maintainence,etc, quick disconnect valves,etc. their filter media does work very well. the filters have always worked excellent for me, never a problem. My personal preferance, I'd never use anything else. but I'm sure there are many other good ones out there as well, I've never used anything but Eheim.

 

[Rocketman]

oh yes, the pellets are the second layer. stuff that looks like little tubes are the first.

 

[FSM]

Little tubes are probably ceramic. I have those in my fluval 404. Sintered glass is supposedly really high surface area.

 

[2004exrider]

UPDATE- Ive had it going for a while and am very impressed, my water has never been so clear! It's set up just for mechanical filtration and i think that's how im gonna keep it.

Jimmy