single canister only for 200+ gal

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo

Your experience with a single canister filter on a 200+ gal tank as only means of fil


  • Total voters
    80
Hi,

I use a FX5 and a 2080 and a fluval 4 plus internal on my 220 UK gallon, but I do have a Red Tail Giant Gourami and a Mbu puffer in there.

Would have just 2 2080s and the internal if I could afford it!
 
Howdy all, and thanks for your replies.

There seems to be no real winner but the companies who sell canisters rated for big tanks - they often end up selling more than one.

To all those who doubt that a single canister can be sufficient: Read justin's post. It can be done. All it needs is a canister with volume and power and proper engineering. If they sell them rated for this size tank, dang it, their product needs to be up to the task :swear: If it's possible on a small tank, it is also possible on a large tank - just scale it up sufficiently. And the word "sufficiently" is the key. The /\/\onster argument doesn't count, either: Noone is keeping only guppies in a 200+gal tank. It's time for crossover canisters for indoor ponds and large tanks.

The filter felt with 50 Micron would clog up quickly and would have to be replaced often. I ran a powerhead with that, but I had to change it every few days.

Keep your comments and votes coming ... I will start looking around for a new filter, and I will let Eheim know what I think about their top-of-the-line product :(

HarleyK


ps
I must have clicked the wrong button: The poll is not public:
The member who rated the Eheim 2262 insufficient, please identify yourself and explain your problems.
 
I use a 2260 and a large wet dry that is fed with overflows. I voted on the poll that the 2260 would be insufficient mostly because i do not believe in having any one filtration system on a tank.

That being said i think the 2260 is one hell of a strong filter with very good flow and a HUGE area for media, if i was going to try using one cannister this would be the one.
 
:nilly: :shocked: BUMP

HarleyK;587655; said:

ps
I must have clicked the wrong button: The poll is not public:
The member who rated the Eheim 2262 insufficient, please identify yourself and explain your problems.
 
Hi,

I was using 2080 and 2236 on my 80 gallon tank with good results. If I ran only 2080 I always found some small particles floating around.

Now I have upgraded to a 180 gallon and have installed 2 x 2080. The tank is still in cycling state and will let you know the results in coming time.
 
I'm running 3 of the Eheim 2078 Pro3e's on my 150G with 1 large JAG.

The suction is not that great as I always find poop/fish food on the bottom of the tank, not a problem on a bare-bottom-tank, I just suck the gunk out via water changes.

Wondering how the FX5's mechanical filteration is.
 
I have just one issue with your post, please take this as constructive criticism not a bash. It's the "I expect cleaning intervals of a canister filter to be no shorter than half a year. If the filter clogs up before that, it is too small and underpowered." part. As I'm sure you're aware, all the waste captured by your filter, while out of sight, can still be considered to be in your tank, as all your water will still be flowing through it, which will contribute to a high bioload. You'd need more biological media than any one filter is capable of holding to keep you nitrate level in check. This is, of course dependent on your stocking level but it is something to think about and something a lot of people overlook. That said, I'm a big fan of the Eheim 2260 as long as supplemental water movement is provided by powerheads.
 
Bawb2u;2185624; said:
I have just one issue with your post, please take this as constructive criticism not a bash. It's the "I expect cleaning intervals of a canister filter to be no shorter than half a year. If the filter clogs up before that, it is too small and underpowered." part. As I'm sure you're aware, all the waste captured by your filter, while out of sight, can still be considered to be in your tank, as all your water will still be flowing through it, which will contribute to a high bioload. You'd need more biological media than any one filter is capable of holding to keep you nitrate level in check. This is, of course dependent on your stocking level but it is something to think about and something a lot of people overlook. That said, I'm a big fan of the Eheim 2260 as long as supplemental water movement is provided by powerheads.


Yes, yes! Good post!

But no matter now much biomedia one has, it cannot reduce nitrates. We do not get denitrification in "standard" freshwater filtration. Nitrates must be reduced via water changes.
 
I know this is an old post and yet still valuable info. I agree with Bawb2u's statement also. I have a 220 Perfecto with an in-tank rock background, lots of rock piles & Colorquartz S-grade sand. My Mbuna cichlids have multiplied so I am a bit overstocked.

I have an Eheim 2262 with Ehfimech (5L), Matala media (black & blue) pads, Ehfisubstrat Pro & a 2 inch foam pad. Also, an Eheim 2217 with Ehfimech, blue pads & white pad + 2 AC 110's with standard foam. I also have 1 Hydor Koralia 4 in right front top corner to push poop toward the intakes.

All my intakes are located behind the background. I have three cutouts (egg crate material) located at the bottom of background that are 6" long & 3" high to circulate the water to the intakes.

The 2262 has a DIY 1/2" PVC spraybar that runs the length of the tank & is mounted on the front glass at the top. The 2217 returns to the left rear of the tank. The AC 110's return the water in front of the background.

I have to clean the AC 110's every week. Every two months I clean out the canisters, alternating them. I always get a lot of debris (sometimes fry) out of all my filters. My water is never crystal clear. I do weekly 50% water changes faithfully. My fish are happy and I have learned to live with the small floaties. But I'm still thinking of making a Rubbermaid DIY trash can filter to improve things a bit.;) Well now I am going to vote.
 
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