Best form of filtration/flow for large tanks (4ft and above)

[David Moses Heng]

Not to mention, take up space in the tank for hardscape.

not really.... if creative enough, the piece of space can be turned into a piece of art. i didn't do so with mine cos i was too rush. i wanted to settle everything fast hence the poorly set ip scape now.

[tcy81]

4x1.5x1.5 or 3x2x2, a 2028 is just enough IMHO but a 4X2X2 would struggle if you load up with media.

definitely not enough =) i'm running an eheim 2028 on my 4ft and it's struggling. i'm currently using a powerhead to create more flow, but i'm about to go buy a 2nd canister to help the eheim out

think better to over filter than under filter.
If there is any dead spot & lack of Co2 will cause BBA headache.

now i seriously having a headache if to go ahead will 4x2x2 setup.

[illumnae]

i personally feel 4x2x2 is a pleasure to scape with as you really have lots of space and depth to play around with. be prepared for backaches if you want a foreground though

what's holding you back from the 4x2x2?

[tcy81]

The filter size is one thing, if 2028 not big enough. is 2080 a good option ?
with 2inlet & 1 outlet, wouldnt the some of the flow be taken in by 1 of the inlet ?

but main thing will be lighting option PL/T5/MH .

[aRmOn]

I'm using 2028 on 4x2x2. Inlet & outlet at one side, my APP plant on the opposite side swaying indicating a good water flow. Previously had green water problem where the experts and experienced help to solve the problem. Now my 2028 outlets are connected with CO2 external reactor, 9W UV lights and Resun CL450. Inlet with Atman surface skimmer. Water is crystal clear with weekly water change 20% - 50%.

[barmby]

I recommend 2 x 2028

[o2bubble]

Hi all, I'm seriously thinking of getting another eheim external filter for my 4x1.5x2ft tank. Currently I have one ehiem 2028 with inlet on right and outlet connecting to Dennerle internal co2 reactor Cyclo turbo XL on left. Thus, the current is weak in the middle as I have tall and dense steam plants at the sides.

I believe filtration is enough as I have not visible algae except some GSA and a little hair algae, taken care well by my shrimps and SAE. However, I think the CO2 circulation may not be good enough during lights on as the max pearling occurs only 3 hours after lights on.

Which one below should I get (minimum, just enough for creating a good flow):

1. Eheim 2215
2. Ehiem 2217
3. Ehiem 2026

In terms of costs, what is roughly the price? I'm comparing to getting a wavemaker costing $100 each. May need 2 wm to create a circular flow.

[StanChung]

I'd opt for the 2217. Less parts [to pay for later] and it's powerful.

[o2bubble]

I was thinking another option will be to upgrade my 2028 to a 2080 and spilt the outlet to 2 outlets. So, i will have 2 inlet and 2 outlets to play with. How's that?

[eddy planer]

definitely not enough =) i'm running an eheim 2028 on my 4ft and it's struggling. i'm currently using a powerhead to create more flow, but i'm about to go buy a 2nd canister to help the eheim out

Huh? I thought you are now running a powerful Fluval FX canister to filter your 422 tank? Still want to buy another to back eheim 2028 and Fluval FX5?

I dont seems understand at all...is that overkills or just a waste of electricity or space constraint.

please forgive me...

[illumnae]

this was posted very long ago before i upgraded to the Fluval FX5 eddy =) because the Eheim 2028 was struggling to handle the 4x2x2, i decided to sell it off and purchase teh Fluval FX5 instead. it's doing very well at the moment and i'm seriously considering using it as well for my next 4x2x2 tank instead of 2x Eheim ProII 2028 as originally planned

[o2bubble]

Is Fluval FX5 a good replacement for Eheim 2080 in terms of capacity and cost? I may want to get this instead if the price difference is big.

Also, is the size of the 2080 filter baskets slightly bigger than that of 2028? I'm thinking of reusing the media for 2028 but not sure if I need to buy more media to add...

[eddy planer]

Hi all, I'm seriously thinking of getting another eheim external filter for my 4x1.5x2ft tank. Currently I have one ehiem 2028 with inlet on right and outlet connecting to Dennerle internal co2 reactor Cyclo turbo XL on left. Thus, the current is weak in the middle as I have tall and dense steam plants at the sides.

I believe filtration is enough as I have not visible algae except some GSA and a little hair algae, taken care well by my shrimps and SAE. However, I think the CO2 circulation may not be good enough during lights on as the max pearling occurs only 3 hours after lights on.

Which one below should I get (minimum, just enough for creating a good flow):

1. Eheim 2215
2. Ehiem 2217
3. Ehiem 2026

In terms of costs, what is roughly the price? I'm comparing to getting a wavemaker costing $100 each. May need 2 wm to create a circular flow.

Get yourself a powerful Fluval FX5 with a very powerful flowrate and you dont need any eheim plus wave maker at all.

currently i running 2 Fluval 404 canister and prefilter cansiter powered by external pump of 2000l/h, will upgrade to powerful Fluval FX5 this march save more electricity.

[eddy planer]

this was posted very long ago before i upgraded to the Fluval FX5 eddy =) because the Eheim 2028 was struggling to handle the 4x2x2, i decided to sell it off and purchase teh Fluval FX5 instead. it's doing very well at the moment and i'm seriously considering using it as well for my next 4x2x2 tank instead of 2x Eheim ProII 2028 as originally planned

oops..didnt notice that. Are you going to use back the same Fluval FX5 for you new 422 tank for your new home next year?

[illumnae]

eddy: nope the current 422 will continue to be running and maintained by my dad

o2bubble: i've never tried the Eheim 2080 so i can't make a fair comparison. i do know that some foreign forum did a comparison test and they turned out fairly equal, with the Fluval beating the Eheim in mechaical filtration and the Eheim winning in biological filtration. the conclusion for the test was that if you have money to blow, go for the Eheim (probably because of brand reliability?)...otherwise, the Fluval is excellent and value for money. again, i can't comment on basket size for the 2028, but i'm reusing my media for the FX5, and the media baskets aren't full (about 3/4 full), so i can probably put in more media to get better biological filtration in my FX5

[o2bubble]

I think I will be getting 2080 and spilt the output to be used with lily pipes for better circulation. Not sure if this will be an overkill but since the 2080 is rated at only 1700l/h compare to 1050l/h for 2028, I think the additional outlet (700l/h) should be enough to provide a gentle current around the tank. (Will get a control value for the 2 outlets to adjust the flow as well)

[o2bubble]

Hi guy, there a eheim pro3e 2076 with flow of 1650l/h. Smaller and cheaper than 2080. I think i get that one.

[illumnae]

are you going to split both the output and input on that one? it only has 1 inlet and 1 outlet. the eheim pro3e is probably eheim's answer to the fluval fx5 based on the features that it has.

let me know how your solution works for you. i still have time before setting up my next 422 (house has been found but completion takes time) so more options for me would be appreciated

[o2bubble]

Went to na and confused. 2076 stated on box 400l but flow rate 1650l/h while 2028 is 700l but 1050/h. Both has 3 media baskets but 2076 slightly bigger and have a prefilter. Then some shops include substrate pro, some only normal media and another none. Thinking now of 2078 instead with 1 more basket than 2076 for additional 60 bucks.

[o2bubble]

Checked again and now they all saying that they include substrate pro. Wah, keep changing. Luckily, I compare 3 shops first. Hope those who are buying please take note. Waiting for them to confirm the details of the amount of media included before making a decision now.