GEX HOF "S" or "M"

**Fuzzy** · 18th Dec 2009, 00:34

Originally Posted by minute_me

I had experienced with the Gex M not long ago. As i placed the filter on a tank beside my living room tv, the small noise can be kind of irritating. However at night when I sleep, due to the quietness, it sort of amplify the noise created by the filter. The flow rate adjuster is totally useless because it's quite obvious you can't turn down the flow as it will cause a very loud, yes very loud noise compared to full flow.

In the end I got a quieter filter and sold away the Gex M hof.

Hmm my unit doesn't make more noise even when the flow rate is reduced to minimum, maybe I'm just not as sensitive to the noise.

Originally Posted by eviltrain

Maybe you guys can try cut a air tube and fit the air tube on the place where you hang your HOF. This will cushion the HOF and your tank which lessen the vibration.

Good idea, hehe I tried using a small piece of coarse filter foam to do this before, it dampened the noise a little bit, it was never loud enough to bother me even though I have this in my bedroom though, my PC Fans are much louder

**eviltrain** · 18th Dec 2009, 01:12

haha, i'm using GEX S HOF. but i don't seems to be affected by the noise you all were saying. maybe i'm a deep sleeper. haha

**oisterdude** · 18th Dec 2009, 02:15

Hi. Do you guys reckon the M or L size is able to fit enough filter medium(mechanical, biological) to have a healthy 2ft planted tank? I was considering to get a external canister but this HOF filter seems to have quite a large volume to place filter materials. This would be my 1st venture into planted tanks and hope to get some feedback before starting. I was considering a Eheim Classic 2215 but it seems much more hassle to use a external 1 seeing that i am setting up a relatively small tank. Noise and choice of cheaper or more expensive filter isnt much an issue for this case as I would not mind spending more on the filter materials IF a HOF filter is enough( capacity and flow wise). Thanks in advanced

**stormhawk** · 18th Dec 2009, 05:01

If you just want a small filter, with little in terms of cost, just get the Eden 501. While HOFs are decent for small tanks, for a 2 footer, I'd recommend you to get the Eden instead. It's quiet, and does a great job in keeping the tank filtered. Only thing is, you might have to invest in Eheim double taps, so you can detach the filter unit for cleaning when necessary without moving the intake/outflow pipes along with it.

I did that and while it costs more due to me buying the Eheim taps, it stays quiet and works perfectly fine. You can use any media you like, instead of the standard ceramic rings that come with the set. Some people stuff theirs with Biohome or other filter media, but I just stick with the standard media that came with it.

I bought one for $50, and while a HOF may cost less, depending on the brand and size, I would rather use the Eden. The flow is just nice for a 2ft tank though, and the power consumption is low.

With HOFs, if you put in too much filter media within the media chamber, you might affect the operation of the HOF, especially in terms of water flow through the HOF. In the long term, that might damage the HOF's motor unit.

**Emozz** · 18th Dec 2009, 16:40

Originally Posted by oisterdude

Hi guys. May i ask if anyone has any information on where i can get my hands on the GEX L-size HOF filter? As most LFS i been to only have the S size. I'm making a 2ft planted tank and want to save the trouble of external canisters and pipings.

I saw "L" stock at y618 and seletar seaview, but i never get to see the "M" size

**Navanod** · 18th Dec 2009, 17:47

Originally Posted by stormhawk

If you just want a small filter, with little in terms of cost, just get the Eden 501. While HOFs are decent for small tanks, for a 2 footer, I'd recommend you to get the Eden instead. It's quiet, and does a great job in keeping the tank filtered. Only thing is, you might have to invest in Eheim double taps, so you can detach the filter unit for cleaning when necessary without moving the intake/outflow pipes along with it.

I did that and while it costs more due to me buying the Eheim taps, it stays quiet and works perfectly fine. You can use any media you like, instead of the standard ceramic rings that come with the set. Some people stuff theirs with Biohome or other filter media, but I just stick with the standard media that came with it.

I bought one for $50, and while a HOF may cost less, depending on the brand and size, I would rather use the Eden. The flow is just nice for a 2ft tank though, and the power consumption is low.

With HOFs, if you put in too much filter media within the media chamber, you might affect the operation of the HOF, especially in terms of water flow through the HOF. In the long term, that might damage the HOF's motor unit.

I would second that. HOF may be good, but for larger tanks that holds more bioload, the HOF tends to choke up rather quickly and alot of the water flow actually bypasses the media completely.

**alien54d** · 18th Dec 2009, 18:06

i feel its very worthwhile to invest in a eheim canister for a 2 footer
water circulation and noise damping will be best in the class

**stormhawk** · 18th Dec 2009, 18:54

Yes Eheim is the best in the class, but in terms of cost and effectiveness, the Eden is sufficient. The only drawback is that the Eden has to be placed at the same level as the tank, not lower. So it cannot go into cabinets to hide it away. But other than that, it performs just as well as a comparable Eheim filter of the same output. For a price of S$50 at most stores, you can spend extra cash buying some better filter media, to replace the standard media that came with it.

**oisterdude** · 18th Dec 2009, 19:00

Hmmm ok then. Thanks a lot for the information and feedback guys. I will get a Eheim Classic then. 2213 more than sufficient or barely for 2ft? And Classic series seems to have no accessories that come along with it. What else must i get other than the canister itself? Thanks

**Fuzzy** · 18th Dec 2009, 19:35

I would not recommend the GEX "M" for a 2ft tank. I've not seen the "L" before but it might do the job.

The Eden 501 is probably your best bet if you're on a budget, and its priced somewhere between the GEX "M" and "L"

I am running an antique (Almost 10 Year old) Eheim Classic 2213 on a 2ft Fiveplan now, if your bioload is not incredibly high, its more than enough to do the job.

**oisterdude** · 18th Dec 2009, 22:04

My Budget for the filter would be around <$200. Say i want to get the Eheim Classic 2213/2215. Other than the canister, what else do i need to buy? Does the canister come with hoses and connectors etc? Thanks

**Fuzzy** · 22nd Dec 2009, 18:17

You might need to buy hoses, but everything else you need is included with the canister. Media also.

Definitely under $200. In fact you might want to consider going with the Pro series instead of classic if you don't mind spending up to $200.