Eheim Classic 150 And Canister Filter In General

Howdy everyone! I've got a 10 gallon tall tank with a single betta in it and I am looking to get some peoples opinions on canister filters, and the Eheim classic 150 specifically if anyone has it.

how is water flow with canister filters, is it too much for bettas, can it be dialed back. is a canister filter a bit overpowered for a 10 gallon tank?

my tank is in my bedroom, so how are noise levels of canister filters?

 

Hi, welcome to Fishlore
From memory the 150 is the old 2211? Which runs at approx 300L/hr (~80 USG/hr), which would give you about 8 x turnover. It's a little high for a 10G, but not disastrous. I've run the Eheim 2213 in the past on a 20G (approx 5-6 x turnover) and been very happy with it.
I've not kept bettas in a long time, but my understanding is that they don't particularly like/enjoy high turbulent water, however, the beauty with canisters is you can 'soften' the flow rate without necessarily damaging the pump.
The Eheims (generally) have taps that you can throttle the flow with, though I don't recommend restricting the flow from the pump, instead, you can use the spray bar and either a) drill the holes larger; b) drill more holes.
You still maintain the full flow rate, but the output is a lot 'softer', thus the turbulence in the water is reduced. (Think of putting your finger over the end of a hose, and the more you open up, the less pressure you get out the end)

As for noise, Eheims typically run dead silent, as in, you have to put your ear to it to hear anything. That is, unless something is wrong with (broken impeller, water locks etc)

 

Stuffing it with media will make outlow slower.

 

Stuffing it with media will make outlow slower.

HI DD,
Yes stuffing it with media will slow the flow, but it also puts more pressure on the head and reduces the cooling of the pump head. Which could lead to a malfunction or drying out of the impeller causing damage.
I tried this once using a heavier polishing pad (non OEM) and could hear the strain on the head (dry impeller rattle). It was also hotter to touch. I'm speaking specifically about Eheims, which are pretty tight with the "normal" media setup. Fluvals are a little more forgiving in that they often have a spare tray you can put more media in.
Eheims are bottom-up canisters, so you can quickly dry out the head if you restrict the flow. Which is what happens with mine (now a Pro 2222) when the polishing pad is full, or the drain line becomes full of gunk.

Must be that German engineering! lol

Another alternative could be to change the return line so that it becomes a wider diameter. I think the 2217 does this (13mm hose in, 20mm out [or maybe the other way])

 

HI DD,
Yes stuffing it with media will slow the flow, but it also puts more pressure on the head and reduces the cooling of the pump head. Which could lead to a malfunction or drying out of the impeller causing damage.
I tried this once using a heavier polishing pad (non OEM) and could hear the strain on the head (dry impeller rattle). It was also hotter to touch. I'm speaking specifically about Eheims, which are pretty tight with the "normal" media setup. Fluvals are a little more forgiving in that they often have a spare tray you can put more media in.
Eheims are bottom-up canisters, so you can quickly dry out the head if you restrict the flow. Which is what happens with mine (now a Pro 2222) when the polishing pad is full, or the drain line becomes full of gunk.

Must be that German engineering! lol

Another alternative could be to change the return line so that it becomes a wider diameter. I think the 2217 does this (13mm hose in, 20mm out [or maybe the other way])

I understand that hahaha. Wasn't meand to reduce it to nil though (no use then hahaha). But only to reduce the flow a bit. None of my 5 eheims ever have run dry.

I don't ver believe the rate which is stated by the manifacturer. Using them on smaller tanks than actually "designed for" worked always for me.

Buttttttt I never kept betta and never had such a small tank

 

Howdy everyone! I've got a 10 gallon tall tank with a single betta in it and I am looking to get some peoples opinions on canister filters, and the Eheim classic 150 specifically if anyone has it.

how is water flow with canister filters, is it too much for bettas, can it be dialed back. is a canister filter a bit overpowered for a 10 gallon tank?

my tank is in my bedroom, so how are noise levels of canister filters?

I have 2 Eheim Classic filters and love them, as was mentioned above they are pretty much silent. I also have Betta tanks, 10 gallons each, and I use a double sponge filter in those. Low flow and the bubbling noise is kinda soothing, lol. My personal opinion is that a canister is a bit of overkill for a 10 gallon tank with only one inhabitant.

 

My opinion but tanks under 40 gallons don't need canister filters. Too much flow and push fish around the tank. A good HOB or sponge filter is all you need for a 10 gallon. I just got a for my 10 gallon.

 

Yeah ive used the Marina S20 too, if youve got a fancy Betta with long fins id recommend something that doesn't circulate the water too much, this filter just flows in without too much disruption. Heres a little review if you wanna see a video, its a little old but should still help :

If you want to buy it there is two different sizes available of the same model on amazon :
Hope it helps

 

Thank you everyone for all the information and your recommendations! It's given me a lot to think about. a canister filter may not be the right way to go then. my tank came with a hob filter (topfin), but the filter pad that comes with it is so thick that the water just builds up and flow over the pads, completely defeating the purpose I assume. I added a sponge filter a couple weeks back to the tank as well, but I guess I'm just nervous of how effective sponge filters are? I would replace the the Hob filter with something better, but the tank design only allows for a 6 inch wide outflow+inflow diameter (the marina s20 was recommended to me elsewhere as well, but its too wide for the opening.

 

If it's just for a Betta? Use a small double sponge filter. I take one of the sponges off and rinse it in tank water during tank cleaning then do the other one the next time. Couldn't be easier and my fish show no signs of stress or disease due to lack of filtration.

 

Thank you everyone for all the information and your recommendations! It's given me a lot to think about. a canister filter may not be the right way to go then. my tank came with a hob filter (topfin), but the filter pad that comes with it is so thick that the water just builds up and flow over the pads, completely defeating the purpose I assume. I added a sponge filter a couple weeks back to the tank as well, but I guess I'm just nervous of how effective sponge filters are? I would replace the the Hob filter with something better, but the tank design only allows for a 6 inch wide outflow+inflow diameter (the marina s20 was recommended to me elsewhere as well, but its too wide for the opening.

The S20 needs 9" from the intake tube to the outflow. My lid (Aqueon 20" Deluxe Full Hood) only has a 'cut out' for 8". So... time to just get the Dremel tool out, a jig saw or a small hack saw to the lid. Easy.

The S15 may need about 6" or less and that may work also on a 10 gallon aquarium without cutting. Need to verify.