Eheim classic vs. the Pro 3

[zolta]

After doing a maintenance rinse on my Marineland C360 the power head on the unit started to leak.  The unit is barely a year old and although I have tried to contact Marineland a few times now I have yet to get a response.  The leak seems to be unusual as it is not where the power head fits over the canister itself but between the outer and inner housing of the head.  I have the filter running in a tub and am draining the tub in the morning and evening. ( Although this morning there was hardly any accumulation of water from last night, maybe it is fixing itself?)

In any event I do not have a backup filter, regardless of if and how Marineland handles this I am thinking of buying a new canister filter.  This time I will go with Eheim.  I am looking at the classic 600 (2217) or the Pro 3 2073.  Does anyone have experiences with these two?  Is the pro worth the extra $100?

Thanks

Keith

[exv152]

Hey Keith, If you want a straight forward filter, which in my experience is less prone to these sorts of leaks (where water can leak from a number of plastic joints/seals/priming buttons etc), I would opt for the classic series over the pro. The only draw back to the classic series is the media is loose, but you can put the media in a stocking for maintenance purposes. But I like to leave it loose. I actually find it's a bonus since there's way less bypass of waterflow going through the canister, the kind of bypass you get with media trays and such.

[Jeff1192]

I actually just switched my C360 for a Pro3 2075. I found one on kijiji and got a great deal. The thing is a beast. It has tons of flow and is really easy to maintain.

I also have a Pro2 running on the tank and a classic as my backup filter. I stopped using the Classic as I found that without media trays it drove me nuts to clean. If you don't care about that I'd go with the Classic but if no trays bothers you go Pro3.

Either way you'll get a great filter that will run for AGES.

Jeff

[Mike L]

 I use classics only. I run with 3 course filter pads then bio-media in a bag. I found with my wife's old stockings the elasticity compressed the media to much resulting in bypass but with a large media bag there is enough room for the media to settle properly. Wash the first 2 sponges rotating the bottom one to top and move the other 2 down a notch. I can clean the filters in 10 minutes tops.

By the way. For those that are interested. I run a 2215 with a 2217 impeller. It increases flow rates by about 20 GPH. This is supposed to apply to 2211 and 2213 as well as the pro2 series.   

[Dxpert]

I'm with Exv152 - Classic instead of the Pro3. I run 2 Pro3's and although I would recommend them, I would also have gone with the classic instead. So far the one of the Pro3's has had a leaking prime pump and a broken connector / coupler. The Classic is a simpler pump, less to break in the long term.

[Al]

I agree with all the + comments on the Classic, that would certainly also be my choice. Dead simple and as has been pointed out, very little to go wrong. Keep the head gasket lubed and it will last forever.
And who doesn't like an extra 100 in their pocket to buy some new fish..........oh, I meant plants 

[zolta]

Thanks for all the opinions.  I appreciate that they are based on experiences.  I do believe I will go with the Classic, and use the savings to purchase an inline heater.

Unfortunately after several days of trying Marineland still has not responded to my quires.  I do find that rather disappointing

Keith

[lucius]

Maybe you don't have the right email.  When I dealt with Marineland for my tank replacement, this is the email that they replied with.

[FishBuddy]

Thanks for all the opinions.  I appreciate that they are based on experiences.  I do believe I will go with the Classic, and use the savings to purchase an inline heater.

Unfortunately after several days of trying Marineland still has not responded to my quires.  I do find that rather disappointing

Keith

Heads up for you Keith (and others),

Petsmart is having a clearance sale right now on the Fluval FX6; yes, that big huge filter.  I have 2 of them running on my cichlid and turtle tanks right now and I love it...  Very easy to clean and that thing is a workhorse; the flow rate is unreal on these things (almost a must if keeping Africans).    Normally, they are running at $370+taxes.  Right now, they are on sale for $240!  I bought one during Boxing Day sale for $295 and that was the lowest price I've seen anywhere (including the States).  The store manager told me that they have very few left in other stores so grab them while you can.

I bought another one this afternoon as I couldn't resists on the price!  I'll keep it for spare parts of use it on another tank.