markbenjamin123

hi i have recently bought a ehiem 2227 and a 2217 they are both in good condition, i want to know which one i should use with my 5 * 2 *2 tank, i read in a forum that they are not good in a planted community why is this please enlighten me

lew2000

the eheim 2227 - which i currently use, is eesentially a trickle filter. While there is a constant output of water, the filter drains to about two inches, and then via the float unit attached, fills to the top (approximately) and the drains via an increased flow of water and then begins the cycle again. The center tube or airtube allows for intake and output of air - which in the process will relaese CO2. While this good for aerobic bacteria (bacteria to process ammonia and nitrites) you will loose some CO2 in this process. The 2217 is a cannister filter, and in my opinion, these work best as media/chemical filters - filter manufacturers sometimes sell these units as bio filters. The problem is taht the flow of water is from the top of the filter and does not circulate well to lower levels - at least in what i have read and experienced, and can lead to problems if not cleaned frequently, and even then you will have dead spots in the filter - as a result, high phosphates and nitrates can/will be output into the tank - these levels can be high enough to the point that even a heavily planted tank can't utilize all of this output and you end up with alage (phosphates and nitrates) and stressed fish (due to nitrates). The eheim 2227 can be used - you will just have to add an equal amount of CO2 to make up the difference - if you have a CO2 injection system that lets you make adjustments.

markbenjamin123

right now im using the 2217 with carbon in a tight at the top, my 2227 is sat doing nothing i dont really understand much about co2 at the moment, but i have found that 1 of my 3 guppys has bladder disease i put him in to quarintine and he has passed poor fellow, is this down to my nitrates i gravel vac often, in simple terms which filter is best and why ? my water is good to look at the moment

lew2000

I am unsure what you mean by "water is good to look at the moment"? Go with the 2227, and if you bought the filter used, get new eheim bio-media and mechanical filter sponge, do not re-use old media or filter from somebody elses aquarium. The 2227 provides a better enviroment for larger bacteria quantity and a better water flow for bacteria to break down ammonia and nitrites and better oxygenation.