Filter

[valiko]

I am looking for a new filter for a new 50 gal setup.

What are your experiences with the following filters:

- Hydor Prime 30/20
- Fluval 304/404
- Eheim Classic 2213/2215
- Rena Filstar XP2/XP3

Currently I am running a Rena Filstar XP1 in the 20 gallon aquarium. It's been running for 3 years w/o any problems, and everything came in the box, not like Eheim classic.

[Mettle]

I've only ever used Fluvals. But I absolutely love the two 404s I have. Been good to me so far.

[BigDaddy]

I love my Eheim 2213.  Simple design, but excellent filter.  Dirt quiet.

[srenka]

I have Fluval 402 and Eheim 2213.  I like them both.

Fluval is higher flow, so a little better for mechanical filtration.  It also has separate media baskets that make it easier to change part of media (again good for mechanical).  It is slightly noisier and the hose release mechanism doesn't always work properly (Read most of the time for me.  I installed separate valves to fix this.)  The release brackets are easier to remove, which is good and bad, I opened the filter by mistake couple times when lifting it.  Also, there is a grove around the filter head that collects water and it then seems that it is leaking.  This makes it more difficult to confirm that the filter is properly sealed.

The Eheim is a low flow filter more suited to pure biological filtration.  It is virtually silent and the valves are first rate.  It has only one large media basket so changing part of the media is a little more problematic.  Also, when the valves are closed (which is exactly what you need when cleaning) then it is really difficult to open the filter.

What I do is use them both on one tank (55g rift Africans) both as biological with one having mostly crushed coral and the other mostly sintered glass.  I put foam in front of their intakes to minimize the requirement for cleaning, and use a separate internal filter to do purely mechanical filtration.

Sarenka

[kennyman]

I have a XP1 running on my 55g mbuna tank! It keeps up with the n cycle just fine. But I took out the coarse sponge and just run the fine one on the bottom with alot of anglefloss in the rest of the box. Its got plenty of flow rate to keep the fish swimming

I do 25% water change once per week to keep nitrates and doc's down.

[darkdep]

I've got several Fluval's (403, 204, 404) and an Eheim 2217.  

I don't have any issues with the Fluvals.  They are fairly quiet, good flow, and have lots of room for media.  I've found that every apparant issue I've ever had with any of them (leaking, difficulty closing, etc) has always been due to something I was doing wrong.  I actually really like the hose connector/valve on the x04's...very easy to use and no drips.  

Eheim has a reputation as being the "best" canister manufacturer.  I really like my Eheim as well, but there isn't any overwhelming thing that makes it better IMHO.

I have also heard nothing but good things about the XP3.

The only thing to be aware of for higher-end canisters is that the mechanical filtration just simply will not be what you expect.  But, the Fluvals do a better job at Mechanical, for sure.

[kennyman]

xp1 250gph
xp2 300gph
xp3 350gph

204 180gph
304 260gph
404 340gph

Just some interesting info I came accross while looking at these myself

[valiko]

Here is the comparison of the different filter that I came up with.

I have my mind set on Filstar XP3 for the 50 gal aquarium.

[darkdep]

Given that chart, I'd say go for the XP3.

[BigDaddy]

Gallons per hour is not the end all, be all in canister filtration.  Its certainly an important factor with HOBs, but not with canisters.

[UCGrafix]

I would go with the Fluval 304.
They work great, are silent, self conatined and easy to maintain.

The 304 will give you ample flow in the 50 gal. for regular fish, but if you are going to make it a Cichlid tank, get the 404, it will have sufficient flow, and prevent you from spending additional money on a Powerhead.

My 2 cents

Regards,
Denis