EHEIM vs RENA.. need imput

[MichelleRenee68]

I just set up a 140 gallon Cichlid aquarium and am now looking to upgrade my filter/pump.

I am looking at the RENA px3 and the EHEIM 2217. Which in your opinion is the better of the 2?

I had both in the past in 75 gal tanks (different models) and liked both of them but now that I am moving to a bigger tank, I need to know which is the better for the 140gal

Thanks :o)

[Totenkampf]

I just picked up a Rena XP3 at a garage sale a couple weeks ago. I am also running eheim 2075 and 2028 pro series along with marineland magnum 350s. I have to say that I am impressed for what the XP3 is for the money. The baskets are solid like the eheim pro II series and unlike the flimsy ones in the pro III series. The QDC seems pretty solid and the flow control works well. I dont mind not having the stupid priming bulb either, which wouldnt be an issue on the 2217. My only concern is longevity of the XP3 since I havent been using it long. I actually prefer the coarse 20ppi filter pads that rena offers instead of the ceramic rings the eheim prefilters with. For a tank of the size that you are doing, I might consider one of each and set the 2217 as a high flow mechanical / purigen filter and the xp3 as a lower flow bio media canister.

[moganman]

I have an XP3 that is about 6 or 7 months old at most and its a good filter. Im selling it soon to get a wet dry.

[supadave]

I am fortunate to have both filters up and running as I type this....and I will say that you can't go wrong with either of the two . If I had to choose one......I would have to go with the Rena XP3 mainly because I feel that it is a better mechanical filter and I like the one lever quick disconnect and the media baskets . I actually have four Rena Xp3s.....two of which have been running since 2007 non-stop . I have had the 2217 since 2008 and I have had zero issue with both the Rena and the Eheim . Basically , I think it will come down to which filter fits you personally . I personally , prefer a few more bells and whistles that the Rena offers over the Eheim. Just keep in mind that the Eheim is actually cheaper than the Rena pretty much everywhere . Never thought I would see the day that another filter cost more than an Eheim .

[Totenkampf]

well this IS a classic style eheim verson a trayed style rena. i think the comparison of the XP3 vs. the 2028 is more of a feature to feature comparison and so I would say the rena is much more bang for the buck. thanks for the thoughts on the rena longevity, that make me feel better about buying one although you cant beat 30 bucks for a filter thats in good shape. btw, the supply / return accessory tray for the XP3 is solid...i was lacking most of that on my used purchase and may pick one up.

[eklikewhoa]

Having had both...

Eheim - resale/quality/efficient
Rena - ease of use/price/trays

the intake output of the rena sucks donkey butt though.

[Totenkampf]

the intake output of the rena sucks donkey butt though.

why do you say that? mine could have a tighter fit but i assumed it was because they are used...is there something else?

[eklikewhoa]

the slide together pipes are kinda booboo looking and just feels cheap.

[sunkenmetal]

I have both a eheim classic and a Rena xp canister filters. I like them both if you do get the rena filter use eheim or seachem bio media those rena bio stars are lame....

[moganman]

Yeah EK hit the nail on the head. The intake and output valves suck extremely bad. Seriously. Worst part about the filter by far.

[Totenkampf]

thats too bad they are cheap, the accesory tray LOOKED cool.

[armthehomeless]

Both are good filters . . . Looking around, I have 7 Eheim Classic canisters and 2 Rena XP#s. Eheim will withstand the test of time better, though. Some of the parts on the Rena have a tendency to break.

[Tiapan]

what he said. i will say im one of the hardest on my filters. just about the only ones still going are ehiem. and i have seen some that have been running for decades.

[sunkenmetal]

Both are good filters . . . Looking around, I have 7 Eheim Classic canisters and 2 Rena XP#s. Eheim will withstand the test of time better, though. Some of the parts on the Rena have a tendency to break.

Yea the valve block on the filstar is a pain...

[MichelleRenee68]

Thank you all for the input. I thin what I will do is use the Rena I currently have and add the Ehiem 2217 as well. This will be the best of both worlds then. I would just use the Eheim I have (2262), but it is to small to handle to load of the tank. So I will run the Rena in it now alone for a couple of days while the new Eheim is shipped.

Ya'll are great! Thanks!