Help me choose additional canister filter - Eheim? Magnum 350?

[abstrohl]

Hello everyone
I would greatly appreciate your feedback and thoughts about which canister filter to add to my tank!

The Tank (currently): 46 bowfront with african cichlids and few live plants running an AquaClear 70 HOB filter and an AquaClear 110 HOB filter.

The water quality is great with these filters, but I can see particulate matter in the water which drives me nuts! I even use Purigen in the filters. Also, as a surgical resident, time for water changes is usually limited to every 4-5 weeks now!

In the past, I was using the AquaClear 70 or AquaClear 110 with a Rena XP3, but wasn't very impressed with the results from the added XP3. I was annoyed by microbubbles at times from the outlet and was starting to have problems with the impeller.

At this point, I am thinking about adding a Magnum 350 to the current HOB filters. But have also been looking at the Eheim canister line. I'd prefer to stay under 250 in price...well under if possible!

What do you think? How would you set it up to make the water look better for longer periods of time?

Thanks!

 

[irishfan]

my 90 has an ac110 and xp3 on it. Huge difference with the xp3 when compared to 2 ac110's. Too bad you did not like yours, they are sweet filters.

Microbubbles are causes by air trapped in the canister or by a leak in one of the parts somewhere. Ive had minor issues with mine but its an awesome filter.

 

[Err]

IF you are looking for a particulate filter to pull the chunks out then the mag350 will by far give you better mechanical filtration than the eheim. Just make sure you get the micron cartredge wich is totaly reuseable and some bonded filter pad sleves to go around them (these are also reusable) the bonded filter sleves will keep big chunks from cloging up the micron media very quick. I got a 2nd micron cartredge so I can have one being cleaned while I run one. You will have to change it like once a week, but it literaly takes 5 min to pull it out dump it, pop in your freshly cleaned cartedge and hook it back up. Also if the need ever arises you can put carbon, NO3 remover or whatever you want into the media basket and use that as well. Its a very versatile mech/chem filter. Considering you allredy have plenty of bio filtration the eheim will be pretty redundant unless your looking to get rid of the HOB filters.

 

[Dan F]

I would go with an Eheim 2217 for $150.

I have had a couple Magnums and currently own 4 Eheims (3x2217 and a 2213). The Eheims are definitely quieter and seem better built overall. If you want a low-maintenance filter the Eheim with its large media volume is much better.

 

[VerdantGreen]

I would go with an Eheim 2217 for $150.

I have had a couple Magnums and currently own 4 Eheims (3x2217 and a 2213). The Eheims are definitely quieter and seem better built overall. If you want a low-maintenance filter the Eheim with its large media volume is much better.

Agreed. I have several Eheims and couldn't be happier with them. They are expensive, but 250 is more than enough for one (way more). I have a 65 gal with a 2217 as the only filtration and it keeps the tank quite clean.

 

[benray4fun]

I've had a couple mag 350's, but if I could get a comparable canister with a better quick disconnect I'd go that route. Also, try ebay for a used canister of any type and save upwards of 70%...

 

[Ken69]

Go the Eheim, you wont be sorry. German engineering at its best. I run 4 and have had zero problems.Ever. For your tank go 2217 or if the budget stretcheds one of the new techie models.

Ken.

 

[Err]

Wow Eheims's offer better mech filtration than a mag? can I use them as a diatom filter too? I had no idea they had such good particulate filtration, which Eheim filter is doing this b/c I want one!

 

[SMS]

A water change with a python on a 46g would only take about 15 minutes a week.
An AC300 and 500 seem to be more than enough filtration

 

[fhawk362]

A water change with a python on a 46g would only take about 15 minutes a week.
An AC300 and 500 seem to be more than enough filtration

I agree, you don't need more filtration, just do quick water changes, its a smaller tank, i do my 55 in about 10 minutes, 7 minutes to syphon/clean, 3 minutes to fill up.