My first cannister filter recommendations

[djmatthewblack]

Just got a brand new 90 gal. tank. It is going to be a planted tank and understocked, at least at first. It had a bulkhead overflow in the tank with two holes in the bottom, guy I bought it from was running wet/dry, but said I could hook up a can. He recommended eheim over Fluval. I found online a Eheim 2215, up to 93 gal rating, looked nice, $140. But I am probably going to go to Petsmart and buy one there, probably cheaper than having one shipped here. I would buy a used one but I don't want to mess with driving across Houston. The thing I liked best is it said the filter runs extremely quiet and that is important to me.

Anything I should know, recommended tools, I have screw drivers and wrenches. Thanks.

[szidlon]

I would recommend at least an Eheim 2217 if not larger. It's better to over filter than under filter. If you're not in a hurry, Bigalsonline often has free shipping on orders over a certain amount. Their regular shippping charges are quite resonable and you won't be paying state tax either. Or check through the Fish Market and see if there are any still for sale.

[supadave]

+1 on going with the larger 2217. Petsmart.com has the 2217 for $134.99. So all you have to do is print the page from Petsmart.com and take it to your local Petsmart and they will price match their online price. This way you will get the bigger 2217 for $5.00 less than what you would have paid for the 2215. Bigger filter....$5.00 cheaper.... ding.. ding ...ding.. ding.. "I think we got a winner".

[Zulaab]

Not to go against what the above posters have said, but you started out with

It had a bulkhead overflow in the tank with two holes in the bottom, guy I bought it from was running wet/dry, but said I could hook up a can.

This means your tank is a Reef Ready tank.. Does it still have the overflow box or not ???

Here are my answers..
1. Yes the overflow box is there -- buy a wet/dry and forgo getting a canister.
2. No the overflow box is NOT there
Using the bulk head openings -- buy a Eheim 2250/60/62
NOT using the bulk head openings (ie sealing them) -- buy at least one if not two Eheim 2217's or a 2250/60/62

Why a 2250/2260/2262 when using the bulk heads -- Reason is the pump. Even when running the 2217 it is going to have a hard time returning the water back into your tank, and you are going to burn out the motor quick, its not made to be fitted to a bulkhead.. the 2250/60/62 are..

I agree with the above posts.. over filtration is A LOT better than under filtration.

[J-WS6]

Wet dry's are'nt necessarily ideal for planted tanks. Especially if your going to run C02, the drip tray would lose a lot of the C02 your trying to keep within the system.

I would go with the biggest eheim you could get your hands on.

[djmatthewblack]

Yeah, talking with him he did mention loosing C02 through the wet/dry. Yes it is reef ready/has the overflow. The next size up above a 90-100gal. rating to a 150-160 is an extra $50. I know over filtration is better but all my other planted tanks I've had I could under filter and the plants would take care of the waste. Right now I am only running a Whisper on a 36 gal. that is rated for a 20 gal. and haven't had any problems in a year. There is never any nitrite and nitrate is taken care of by water changes...

[J-WS6]

Post a wanted ad, you can usually get a larger used one for a little cheaper. Better value IMO. I've never really stuck to the recommended amount of filtration that any filter advertises. I've always had the mentality that the idea of 'too much filtration' doesn't exist. No matter what type of set up your going for.

[J-WS6]

If it were my tank, I would sit back and try to acquire a nice, used 2262

[djmatthewblack]

I've done some shopping online and looked at a marine land that looks good. Also cheap replacements is important. I can cut filter floss from the big bundles and rinse pads. I keep carbon on hand but if I am getting enough good mechanical filtration I don't worry about keeping carbon recharged. I just bought an Aquaclear HOB for another tank and it uses those biorocks.
I also need some lights. T5 HO bulbs. Petmart might have them, I doubt Home Depot would have the 6500k, but if I can't find the bulbs I am going to order the filter and bulbs together.
After that I am ready to go.

[djmatthewblack]

I will put up a post. Thing with used is I kinda want a new motor. Unless I can save $40 on a used one, I would rather just not mess with it and get something new.

[phish]

Matt the petsmart on westheimer near kirkwood has 50% off. I saw some aquaclear filter and bulbs.

[geoff_tropheus]

I have a slightly used Rena XP4 for $150. Brand NEw is around $230.

I used the motor, the case, and one basket for about 4 months. Everything else is new in the plastics, have box, and instructions, and decals. I did not use any of the pipe fittings or hoses.

PM if interested.

[finfan]

i have had very good experience with rena xp series... i'm sure eheim is very good, but rena's are also very good and cheaper

[djmatthewblack]

Well the Petsmart by me doesn't even carry Eheim. I hate Petsmart, but when you have no choice.....the bulbs there were reasonable.

[djmatthewblack]

Someone offered me a good price on an Eheim 2215 but she says she is missing the clips to close the top. Does anyone know where I can find a part like this without ordering it? Thanks.