best canister filter?

[finfan]

ok guys, i will be buying my first canister filter this weekend and based on all the reviews and research i can't freaking make up my mind, please please tell me what you guys think?

my criteria for best canister filter = reliability (don't want to flood) + ease of use (meaning easy to start, stop, do maintenance, i'm unfortunately not a techi person and have very little time)

[jeb102385]

Re: best canister filter?

i have an eheim on both my tanks and they are great that would be my sugestion a 2213, 2215 2217 and dan over at gulf coast discus sells them at whole sale cost (cheaper than on the internet)

[finfan]

Re: best canister filter?

i read a lot of reviews on 2215 and 2217, a lot of them say it is very hard to start/prime, the clamps bent easily and the top pops and floods, maintenance is a huge event etc. etc.

[CichlidFan]

Re: best canister filter?

nope....nothing like that have I experienced....priming is fairly easy, fill the can about 3/4 full.....put the intake line in place,  place the return spray bar in place but hold onto the tubing with the flex elbow and give a little lip action.....nuttin to it.... :)

CF

[ponyrandy]

Re: best canister filter?

I went with the self-priming Eheim Ecco 2234 and love it. The priming feature works great and it has the baskets for the media. Nice and quiet too.
Brian

[imagirlgeek]

Re: best canister filter?

We have several of the Rena XP3's and love them.  Ease of use is important to us too, plus the flow is great!

[Hanson77]

Re: best canister filter?

I'm pretty partial to the Rena XP's.  Priming is a cinch and cleaning isn't that bad either.  I have ran both the XP's and the Eheim Classics and I really like them both.  It really depends on what you plan to do with it, I mean besides the obvious....filtering..LOL!!!  How big of a tank do you plan on running said canister on?

[eklikewhoa]

Re: best canister filter?

I just hook up my python to the output side to get it going.

As for all the other stuff.....any filter is garbage if you man handle it. I have never had any problems with any eheim product I own.

[Hanson77]

Re: best canister filter?

No lip action like CF alludes to with the Rena XP's.....I mean if that makes a difference to you.  It's much easier with the flip of a lever....LOL!!!

[eklikewhoa]

Re: best canister filter?

The eheim works the same way if you fill the canister with water....once you prime it you should never have to re prime it with normal tank maintence.....

[finfan]

Re: best canister filter?

ok dumbest question, what exactly does "priming" entail?  i thought it refered to getting it started, but is there more?

[imagirlgeek]

Re: best canister filter?

Nope.  That's it.  Just some filters have a self-priming feature, and others don't.  The ones that don't, imo, are a pain to use.  I'm guessing that you can get a process down and it's not as much of a hassle, but I just prefer to have an easy way to prime them.

[CichlidFan]

Re: best canister filter?

I don't normally have to sip on the return line, I just do it now and then to make sure I've got a good strong flow going, 9 times outta 10, the eheim will draw the water thru with no problem.

CF

[jklntx]

Re: best canister filter?

I have several different Eheim model canisters. I used to draw water by mouth myself through the lines myself to prime them...until I discovered you just need to start the pump with the return line running into a small container at ground level. Then raise the container as it fills and drop the line into tank. Use an elbow part (Eheim Elbow Connector-Tube 400594 or  Eheim Outlet-Tube For 400594 ) to allow the hose to "curve" over back into tank . Connect the spray bar and you are done.

[screename]

Re: best canister filter?

eheim eheim eheim...theres no question.  Ive never had a problem with any of mine.  I second getting one from Dan over at Houston Aquarium Warehouse.  There is nothing hard about it.  Just use gravity to your advantage.