Which would be better for a 125 gallon

[MadBob]

if it were me I'd run the twin ehiems.

Not because the tank needs them, or even because I'm a firm believer that too much is never enough. I think that better machinery is almost as much fun as bigger fish. The argument that investing in quality filters is a waste of money is utter BS, my first canister was a fluval 304, it quit on me after 2 years with something going wrong with it every month or so after I took it apart and cleaned it the first few times, after 2 cleanings the priming plunger snapped off in my hand, and it took them over a month to get me the parts to fix it. I still have every ehiem canister and pump I've ever bought and they all still work as good as they day I bought them, sure they cost a few dollars more than the fluval equivilents, but some of my ehiem gear has lasted four times the life of the fluval 304.

Good solid equipment is worth what you pay for it, when you take care of it, it takes care of you. Granted the new FX5 is a much better machine than the 304 was, I just have a bad taste in my mouth from the one fluval I owned.

 

[Toby_H]

I completely understand that there is a lot more to filtration than gph or turnover...

but that is not to suggest that gph or turnover doesn't matter...

and in my experience 400 gph just isn't enough water movement for a 125 gal tank...

2x Eheim 2217 = approx 400 gph of water movement...

 

[DT44]

What if I just considered one of each? (1 x FX5 & 1 x 2217)

Since I still cannot decide why not just have best of both worlds? Eheim for bio filtration & FX5 for more flow/mechanical filtration. That way I can still sell one of the Eheims.

 

[BooshWacka]

if you going to use 2 canisters might as well get the same brand so u can buy the same media in bulk instead of 2 different kinds

just get 2 fx5's and be done with it haha

 

[jpizzle4u]

do what works for you, try using what you have now, and if does work out then try the second option. then sell what you need to when you figure it out.

 

[Fishdude401]

First choice, AC110s rock! i have 2 on my 55g

 

[Iffrat]

if you going to use 2 canisters might as well get the same brand so u can buy the same media in bulk instead of 2 different kinds

just get 2 fx5's and be done with it haha

i use whatever kind of media i have around ... and with the Fx5 with all 3 baskets with media you wont have anything to replace on it ... maybe the pads like once every few years or something .. but thats it .. extremely low maintenance for me anyways ...

i would say that people still over filter .. and i even do it .. but from 100% personal exp. i have 1 Fx5 on my 120 gal with just media in it .. that tank looks beautiful ..

the 150 gal has 1 Fx5 same set up with a rena 3 stock set up and everything in that tank is great as well .. so when people say that im talking about unrelated subjects about 300 gal tanks what he meant to say is i was talking about my personal exp

take it or leave it ... but the 1 Fx5 will work fine with some power heads and such .. you will be happy with it .. also you can make some extra $$ from selling the other filters

 

[redpolo4]

definitely the Fx5!

 

[Acipenser]

I really appreciate your passion for this topic, but do you really need to go there? It's just a conversation about filters. We're not discussing religion, politics or even the meaning of life. We're talking FISH . . . Try to consider utilization of a little diplomacy and take your own advice and try thinking your responses out.

Sorry but I have to disagree. Fish are MORE important than religion or politics.

 

[knicks791]

Get the FX5 and put on the AC110 as the back up filter/ water flow. This is the most cost effective option.