Ehiem 2213 Classic enough for a 55 gallon?

[Cameron]

I was reading through a magazine i got in the mail today and say this filter and it looks nice, and i know its a good company and though about using it along with a aqueon 55 HOB filter, complimenting it. I think it should be enough, the HOB does fine alone, but i want to try a canister and this one says up to 66 gallons so i think its enough.

What about your opinions? Is the a go or no go?

Thanks~!

[gm72]

The 2213 by itself no but with a HOB yes. We typically recommend you cut a filter's rating in half to determine actual effective working load.

[Cameron]

The 2213 by itself no but with a HOB yes. We typically recommend you cut a filter's rating in half to determine actual effective working load.

Thanks for the quick reply, i thought that rule was mostly for HOB's well i think thats what im going to get for the tank.

[gm72]

You will love the Eheim. I use their canisters exclusively and have never had any problems with any of them.

[tim k]

I have two 2213 filters on my 55g plant tank and they are awesome little filters.

Tim k

[dmagerl]

I have a 2213 on my 29gal tank and I think its inadequate. I use it with a Whisper HOB filter to augment it.

[Taurus]

Whispers are great mechanical filters, that's why they compliment Ehiems so well.

[gm72]

I have a 2213 on my 29gal tank and I think its inadequate. I use it with a Whisper HOB filter to augment it.

I'm interested to hear more about this. Why do you feel it to be inadequate? I would think the 2213 would be about perfect for a 29.

[dmagerl]

There just doesnt seem to be enough outflow from it. Granted, its spread out by the output tube, but it just doesnt seem to be enough. With the 2213 alone, particulates in the water were higher than with the Whisper added. With both filters running, watching the currents, particulates drift almost always to the intake tube of the HOB, not the 2213.

I have no complaints about biologic capacity, its just that it seemed I needed more current. Now I had read somewhere that canisters are so much more efficient that higher current flow is not needed, but I thought more was needed.

[Fins]

I've had a 2213 in a 20 gallon tank since 20 MAR 09. I'm comparing it to a Fluval 205 in a 29 gallon tank that I've had set up for eight months or so.

I can't give a real good review on the 2213 as I've only been running it since the first of last month I think. I've opened it once just to see what was going on; wasn't very dirty yet. The hoses OTOH are hard to clean, really stiff and I don't think they'll every loose their memory from being coiled up in that box. It came with shut off valves on the hoses so it's easy (sort of) to disconnect when needed and easy to restart. I can't say anything bad about it really, very quiet and great reputation for reliability. Once I got my latest algae bloom under control with a UV sterilizer the 2213 has kept the water crystal clear for my red capped Oranda, Veiltail and small Bristle Nose. But I do hate those hoses!

The Fluval gets a cleaning once a month and is always filthy inside (the prefilter sponges). They do a really good job of cleaning. Easy to disconnect, just two levers to lift up, and easy to clean. The hoses are the ribbed type and they are easy to run a light wire through and pull a cleaning brush through. When I set the 29 gallon up it was to bring my father-in-laws fish home after he passed away. Didn't have time for formalities. Set the tank up, installed the filter, put in the water, went over to the house and picked up the fish and put them right in the tank. Never had a problem, the water has been crystal clear since the first day with the exception of when I feed them. Two big gold fish and they root around like a couple of pigs. Two small catfish and a six inch Placo.

If I had to do it over again I would have put the Fluval 205 on my 20 gallon tank and bought a new 305 for the 29 gallon tank.