EHEIM 2229 Wet/Dry Filter

[Suzie Q]

Trying to get all my geese in a row (don't like ducks!) LOL

The EHEIM 2229 W/D filter is one of the two (don't know which is better)I have chosen to use on my tank (up to 159/160g tanks)..I know overkill, but the model just below this is up to 90g. Anyway, does anyone use this/has used it the past? I have heard they are good filters. Also, so far the cheapest place to get it is at Petsmart for $249.99.

The other is the EHEIM Professional II with Thermofilter for Freshwater (don't remember the model for a 120g). It runs from $249.99-$289.99 (Petsmart). I want to do this RIGHT (correct) from the start. I don't want to have to go in later and upgrade my filtersystem.
I also plan on running a sponge filter (can't hurt right?). I need suggestions on the EHEIM 2229 and the EHEIM Professional II, which is the better filter (or is there a cheaper/better filter out there that I don't know about?!). I need help. Money is not an issue (granted I will have to wait a little longer before setting up my tank, but that is ok..."waiting makes the heart grow fonder".

Thanks in advance guys...Ya'll are GREAT!

[bettachris]

it depends on the exact gallons and what kind of fish.

i use a ehiem pro 2 on my 72, and it works fine.

now it depends on what type of fish, on my large mouth bass tank i need to run two canister filters on a smaller tank, 55 as most fillters werent meant to suck up waste from a fish of this category.

i know very little on wet/drys but carl does and i am sure he will be on soon to help. but just from my experience the ehiem pro 2 is fine.

[Suzie Q]

I am going with a mixture of non-aggressive...large school of neons...guppies...maybe platies...maybe a molly or two...Things of that nature...I don't know if I will have all male of the live bearers or not (may not even put in livebears)...Neons are the only ones for sure! Maybe angles or garuimies(sp). I am still looking. I would LOVE to have Endlers! Beautiful fish!

[carlrs]

I do NOT recommend the Eheim 2229 W/D filter. This is not a true wet/dry filter and works on a surge principle where water is evacuated out to the cansiter then refilled. Good idea in principle, poor in application. For one they produce a poor currnet at best, second they are prone to problems, and third idea behind thi (as I state in my filters article) is that a wet/dry works better than other bio filters due to more oxygen in the air, again a good and true principle that falls apart in application.

As for the Pro II that is a much better unit, my only tought on these is that they are over priced for what you get. The Via Aqua 750 and the Jebo move the same amount of water, are just as reliable (especially when compared to some other filters), are just as efficient, and are vastly cheaper! The Via Aqua 750 retails for under $100!

This is not to say the Eheims are not good, far from it, but quite honestly you are paying for the name and the hype and the huge profits that dishonest retailers such as Petsmart make selling this (and I can tell you SOME stories about Petsmart from my years in the service business and even from persons who worked there)

Here is my filters article:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Filtration.html

Carl

[Suzie Q]

carlrs said:

I do NOT recommend the Eheim 2229 W/D filter. This is not a true wet/dry filter and works on a surge principle where water is evacuated out to the cansiter then refilled. Good idea in principle, poor in application. For one they produce a poor currnet at best, second they are prone to problems, and third idea behind thi (as I state in my filters article) is that a wet/dry works better than other bio filters due to more oxygen in the air, again a good and true principle that falls apart in application.

As for the Pro II that is a much better unit, my only tought on these is that they are over priced for what you get. The Via Aqua 750 and the Jebo move the same amount of water, are just as reliable (especially when compared to some other filters), are just as efficient, and are vastly cheaper! The Via Aqua 750 retails for under $100!

This is not to say the Eheims are not good, far from it, but quite honestly you are paying for the name and the hype and the huge profits that dishonest retailers such as Petsmart make selling this (and I can tell you SOME stories about Petsmart from my years in the service business and even from persons who worked there)

Here is my filters article:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Filtration.html

Carl

Alright Carl, I am going to trust you! If the Via Aqua is as good as you say it is, I like the idea of saving almost $200. I am going to order it this weekend (along with the plant bulbs we discussed) this weekend.

[carlrs]

You might take a new look at my filtration article, I have expaneded it a great deal in the last few days (I expand all my articles regularly, so what you read a while back may be updated with newer info)

www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Filtration.html

Carl

[Suzie Q]

Ordered the Via Aqua 750 from Carl yesterday. I chose this one, not only because of the price, but on another forum, someone pointed out that if I get the EHEIM Pro w/built in heater, and the filter goes out, I also loose the heater. I thought that was a great point! How many people bought a TV/VCR?DVD combo, and the TV went out?!...I still have a few more months before I actually get the tank...I want to have all the "little" things that I will need for the tank. I don't want to get into a money crunch and not be able to get a heater, or plant lights, or other things of that nature, then end up loosing all the fish because of that (of course fish are the LAST things to get).

Is there anything else I need to know about filtration?

[carlrs]

Adding a sponge filter or Internal filter as you mentioned is a good idea as well.
For your Canister Filter (or any other canister filter), I recommend products such as Bio Care (ceramic rings) for bio filtration and coarse mechanical filtration (this should be the first area water passes in the filter), then a medium coarse woven poly filter pad, then micron size filter pads with any other chemical fitration media such as carbon or peat sandwiched in between.

www.americanaquariumproducts.com/NiroxProducts.html

Carl