Filter Questions

[aquarius]

I'm getting a eheim filter for my 3ft x 18" x 18" planted tank but is unsure which series to buy.
I understand that the filteration should be 3 times the tank vol for planted but is unsure whether it's 3 times in relation to the power output or filter circulation?

[vinz]

Many people have problems with the handle of the Ecco series, though personally I have been using them with no problems for about 4 to 5 years now.

Go for the Professional or Professional II series. Either will do. These come with media. The classic series is cheaper, but after you buy the media, the price is about the same as the Pro and Pro II series. The Pro/Pro II comes with baskets for media. The main diff between Pro and Pro II comes is the latter comes with a self primer.

3 times the filter circulation. It's ok if it's slightly higher as you can always adjust the flow and if you upgrade to a larger tank, you don't have to get a new filter.

[aquarius]

I was previously using the ecco 2231 which is way too small for 3 ft tank cos a few yrs back this lfs recommended me to use this and now i got to waste money and upgrade.
I had problems with the handle b4 and had to change a new one but after that incident, i've learnt to use it properly and ever since have had no problems with it.

If its 3 times the filter circulation, than the 2224 will be just about right. But i guess it would be best to get the Pro II 2026 which is about 3.6 times the vol of water.
Thanks for the advise!

[MosFat]

I was told by the LFS the 2026 would be good enough for a 4", so it should be okay for a 3", that's why I bought it. My tank is the same size as yours btw. The flow rate is a bit too high though, so it would be best to throttle it down.

[aquarius]

Actually i bought the Atman 3337 instead of the Eheim 2026 cos when i went to the shop to buy the Eheim not too long ago, i saw the Atman and causally ask for the price. The price was just too irresistable to resist and the power output is 1000L/hr!! Don't know the filter output though cos didn't indicate anywhere. Right now the tank has only water inside and you can see that the flow rate is too powerful. Once the flourite substrate arrives, I'll do up the tank and I will position the outflow to one side of the glass to slow it down. I'm afriad if I throttle it down it'll put a strain on the filter and cause it to spoil. Anyway if it doesn't work I'll use the filter for my soon to be setup 3ft tanganyika tank.

[aquarius]

Anybody have any idea whether does Atman, Tetra or Jebo sell any spare parts like O-ring, impeller etc. cos i don't seem to find it anywhere. It seems to me that Ehiem is the only brand that has the most comprehensive spare parts available.

Can you use substitute parts from other brands for the abovementioned canister filter?

[|squee|]

I know that Atman can use Ehiem's spare parts according to a LFS I bought my Atman from.

About Jebo, I know there're no spare parts available at all. Tetra? No idea.

[danny]

I get my Atman spares from Nature Aquarium, the one opposite Thomson Medical Center.

[brianclaw]

For reliability's sake, I would go with the Eheim. I have a ProII 2026 up and running for almost 5 years now... No problems whatsoever.

[danny]

The cost of one Eheim can buy at least 2-3 Atman. I have been running a mix of both Atman and Eheim canisters.
For Atman I have 1x3338 , 1x 3337 and 2x 3335. Most are about 7 -8 years old. Got them when I first start using canister. Not much problem at all except one 3337 which I have to change the impeller for 2 times.
For Ehiem , I have 1x2228 ,1x2226 1x2125 and 1x2233 mostly second hand.

Atman is a good choice if you are constraint by budget.

[hirowen]

How about Jebao canister filter? Any comment on it? I found it sold in most LFC with attractive low prices. But i do not know its reliability.

[brianclaw]

The one and only Atman canister I bought leaked on me and the filter housing later cracked during a routine maintainence. That 1 bad experience is all that it's going to take to make me shy away from it... Same goes for most things I buy... Just one bad experience and I'll go looking for another brand/shop.
I have had good experiences with the Jebao filters but, from memory, they aren't rated for tanks as big as the Eheims in the same category and I think they consume more power to run than compared to an Eheim...

[vinz]

How about Jebao canister filter? Any comment on it? I found it sold in most LFC with attractive low prices. But i do not know its reliability.

I've only used Eheim cannister filters, but the quality of other Jebao products does not inspire my confidence in the brand.

[aquarius]

The cost of one Eheim can buy at least 2-3 Atman. I have been running a mix of both Atman and Eheim canisters.
For Atman I have 1x3338 , 1x 3337 and 2x 3335. Most are about 7 -8 years old. Got them when I first start using canister. Not much problem at all except one 3337 which I have to change the impeller for 2 times.
For Ehiem , I have 1x2228 ,1x2226 1x2125 and 1x2233 mostly second hand.

Atman is a good choice if you are constraint by budget.

Wow.... 7-8yrs for an Atman is VERY GOOD man!! I was only expecting it to last maybe 4yrs when i bought it. At the moment i'm very satisfied with it cos it does what it does well and is very quiet (ehiem is a little more quiet cos i'm running them side by side) For the price i pay, it's definately worth every cent!!

When i fixed it up, i thought the impeller cannot be changed cos the compartment don't seem to be able to open.

Sorry to hear from a few of you guys that the atman gave you problems. I guess it's probably just suay