The Puffer Forum

good, cause i really was set on the 2213.

But before i order it, let me run by the debate in my head.

I for one kinda like the aquaclear because its rather easy to clean and i've had it all these years. I can stack up whatever media i want and its cheap to fix. But, i am going for a heavily planted DP tank. Also, the tank is right next to my head(its basically nightstand high). So the aquaclear is alittle too noisy...but not super noisy.

Anyways, i really just want to get another filter, since the corner filter on my snail tank isnt gonna cut it for filtration and i wanna move the aquaclear 150 to that tank.

Soo...

I am either going go buy an aquaclear 70(the old 300) and swap in a mini impeller to slow the flow down and stuff 2 sponges and a biomax bag in it.

Or, go with the 2213.

I dunno which one is the better option... saving money is always the most desirable, but if i do eventually move up to a 20gallon or so, the eheim 2213 could move with me while the aquaclear is still, well..just a powerfilter.

I dunno. Which one do yo think has more filter media storage?

update***

i ordered a 2213. I figured it wouldn't be worth investing more money into a HOB filter setup. Plus i looked at the measurements given ont he site and the 2213 holds considerably more media than the aquaclear.

I'll post a write up and review once it gets here and i set it up.

Just got here today. I am gonna go work out and i'll set it up later tonight. Very very excited.

well, what can i say. I am impressed. The 2213 has been a pleasure so far. Not only is it dead silent, but appears to be a good size for the 10g i have. The tank now has very nice circulation compared to when i had the aquaclear 150. The plants move a bit but i have the spray bar pointed towards the rear glass and allows for the far corner to remain relatively calm, which is important for there to be a "dead" zone for the fish to rest.

Setup was a breeze and priming was easy as well(i just gave one little suck on the outlet tube and it started right up. With the quick tap/valves, i can close them and keep the syphon if i tank the water level down in the tank. It also allows me to fill my tank effortessly. Today, i changed 50% of the water siphoning out the dirt water with my gravel vac. To refill, i just closed off the tap on the intake side, removed my intake pipe and placed it in the 5 gallon bucket of clean dechorinated water, and turned on the filter and opened the valve. It filled the tank without having to get messy/spilling water anywhere.

I set the media basket up with course foam, then the polyester foampad, then i merely filled the rest of the media basket with ceramic noodles(ehifmec?). I am looking into getting the nano-bio balls once these need to be replaced.

Right now i only have plants and snails in the tank, but once the filter is established, i think i am ready to get my puffers.

I have Ehfimech in use that has been in use since it came on the market. Don't plan on repalcing it too soon.

oh i don't, but if ever the day comes where its so brittle and thin that i must replace it, i think i am gonna go with the nano-bioballs. They seem like a good choice.

Hasn't happen yet to me in well over 20 years, I don't remember how long it has been, but before we moved to this house I know - and that was >20 years ago.

looks like i am stuck with um. darn. as long as they work.

I feel no guilt whatsover about trying new toys. Just wash well, dry, and bag the used stuff. Sooner or later it will be be needed again.

that was my go at a bit of sarcasim.

I am glad they have lasted you as long as that, which is what i was hoping. I ma a poor college student now and anything that does not need frequent replacing or is self sustaining is nice(even puffers, who eat snails, which i now can breed and outside of the dechorinator and the lettuce i throw in every few days, is basically a free food source.

I like my filter media to be the same.