My Eheim Pro 3 E 2078 Is Looking For A Mate

Do you think an Eheim & a Fluval could live together. German and Italian...why not? On my lightly stocked Tanganyikan 125g after less than a month I had to return my Eheim pro 3 2080 due to pump head problems...cracked cover, water in head, total loss of flow. It was to be new in the box for $133. They no longer stock it so they will refund my money, but I am bummed because of the "great" deal I was getting on such a large filter. I now had to take everything out of storage tofind room for all the bio media that was in the 2080. The 125g at this time has a Eheim Pro 3e 2078 and a Eheim 2217 with a Tidal 110 HOB. I want to put the 110 & 2217 back into storage. Nothing wrong with them I just like to have spares. I have been looking at the Fluval 406 until I saw the upgrades on the 407. What do think pairing the 2078 with the 407 or perhaps a fx4. I know...why not another Eheim...whispers of U.S. availability...all my eggs in one basket. So the saga continues.

 

I've read a lot of good reviews regarding the FX-4 & FX-6.
The FX-4 seems to be constantly on sale at my local Petsmart for just under $200.

 

I've read a lot of good reviews regarding the FX-4 & FX-6.
The FX-4 seems to be constantly on sale at my local Petsmart for just under $200.

Thanks for your comment. I know the FX4 has a lot going for it; up to 250 gallons, 700 gph, a good reputation, lots of mechanical filtration...But it only holds 3.9 liters / 1 gallon of bio media. The Fluval 406 holds 9 liters / 2.24 gallon of bio media. And I believe that the 407 holds even more considering it's larger dimensions. Correct or clarify me if I am mistaken.

 

I'm not familiar with the Fluval 406. It seems that Fluval really pushes their FX models. I'm a Fluval fan and run two AC 110'S on my 120 long.

 

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I'm not familiar with the Fluval 406. It seems that Fluval really pushes their FX models. I'm a Fluval fan and run two AC 110'S on my 120 long.

How do you have your 110's setup?

 

Here's a pic. My 120 long is a five foot tank. If I were to position two AC 110's on a six foot tank, one AC would be centered in both three foot segments of the lid.

 

Here's a pic. My 120 long is a five foot tank. If I were to position two AC 110's on a six foot tank, one AC would be centered in both three foot segments of the lid.View attachment 569447

I was curious what media you keep in them.

 

Just small grain brown river gravel. I mixed in some small grain white quartz gravel. The hardscape is Honeycombed limestone, Manzanita & Malaysian driftwood.

 

Just small grain brown river gravel. I mixed in some small grain white quartz gravel. The hardscape is Honeycombed limestone, Manzanita & Malaysian driftwood.

Nice combo inside your tank. But what I was wondering was...what do you put into your AC110's?

 

My bad. Removed the activated carbon. Stacked several mesh bags containing the Fluval ceramic bio media, on top of the big sponge. I've got several Fluval FX replacement sponges to eventually stuff in the 110's. IMO, sponges are the best media.

 

My bad. Removed the activated carbon. Stacked several mesh bags containing the Fluval ceramic bio media, on top of the big sponge. I've got several Fluval FX replacement sponges to eventually stuff in the 110's. IMO, sponges are the best media.

No problem. I was vague in the way I asked. Just curious because I have 2 Tidal 110's (very similar) and have tried various Biomedia and sponges in them. Do you not run a canister?
At this time you have me wondering what your tank looks like...now that I have the description of it.

 

Here's a pic. I think there are 23 African Cichlids, mostly Peacocks & Haps and 5 Botia Loaches.

 

Thanks for your comment. I know the FX4 has a lot going for it; up to 250 gallons, 700 gph, a good reputation, lots of mechanical filtration...But it only holds 3.9 liters / 1 gallon of bio media. The Fluval 406 holds 9 liters / 2.24 gallon of bio media. And I believe that the 407 holds even more considering it's larger dimensions. Correct or clarify me if I am mistaken.

Ok...so at the risk of feeling like I am talking to myself I will correct this post without edit. The 406 and the 407 are physically about the same size.