New Hydor 350 Canister Filter Question.

HI everyone. I haven't seen this filter in action nor fid anyone I know since its very new so id have a little question for you ptos out here.

I have a eheim 2217 and aquaclear 70 on my 75g. The aquaclear is really not convenient as it barely fits and stand on the back due to the thickness of the glass. So Ive been thinking To either buy a small secondary canister filter (hydor 250) to assist the eheim or buy an hydor 350 and sell both of my older filters afterwards. Any of you have experienced the hydor filters and do you think the 350 would be enough by itself for the 75g? Ive been reading around that it has really strong flow but I'm certainly not a pro on the matter. Please let me know!

Thanks you ladies and gentlemen,
LordPM.

 

The Eheim 2217 doesn't need any help with your setup, if in doubt add some lava/pumice stone. If you are looking for more current flow in your aquarium try powerhead or air stones. The Seachem Tidal HOB will fit your tank and provide surface skimming. If you are just looking for reasons to upgrade the Hydor's look nice but I wouldn't get rid of the Eheim.

 

The Eheim 2217 doesn't need any help with your setup, if in doubt add some lava/pumice stone. If you are looking for more current flow in your aquarium try powerhead or air stones. If you are just looking for reasons to upgrade the Hydor's look nice but I wouldn't get rid of the Eheim.

Ok thanks! I like the eheim too but I'm not sure it could handle even just a bit of overstock? I read everywhere eheim flow is pretty bad compared to what the company says it is? Is this true? I might and up having a bit overstock and I want to make sure the filter can handle it? Also the eheim is a pain to clean, the hydor seems a lot easier and painless no? Would a single hydor 450 be better or equal to the eheim + aquaclear you think?

 

Eheim rates the flow with media installed, please don't fall for the GPH hype when it comes to Eheim. The Hydor 450 is easy to clean and holds lots of media. Is it better than the Eheim 2217 ? not in my world but I would be happy with either.

 

Eheim rates the flow with media installed, please don't fall for the GPH hype when it comes to Eheim. The Hydor 450 is easy to clean and holds lots of media. Is it better than the Eheim 2217 ? not in my world but I would be happy with either.

Yes I see what you mean. I just want to make sure my water had enough mouvement even if the aquarium is a bit overstocked. I also would like to drop the aquaclear 70 and just have 1 filter, which is why I was concerned about the eheim 2217. I also hate doing maintenance on the eheim as you have to remove everything to get to the button pad. Since I have a ton of biomax in it, it is not in a media bag so it is a real pain to remove ha ha... Also for some reasons I just can't prime the eheim. Even a pro from a specialised fish store near my house came and tried To prime it but with no sucess. Its the clips that holds the top otherwise itd be jumping off in a second. Guessing if its not primed the flow rate is lower too?

 

Ok thanks! I like the eheim too but I'm not sure it could handle even just a bit of overstock? I read everywhere eheim flow is pretty bad compared to what the company says it is? Is this true? I might and up having a bit overstock and I want to make sure the filter can handle it? Also the eheim is a pain to clean, the hydor seems a lot easier and painless no? Would a single hydor 450 be better or equal to the eheim + aquaclear you think?

Eheim tests GPH with no media in the baskets (many companies do this).

(skip to 4:30 to see the true GPH of an Eheim canister)

With the AquaClear 70 and Eheim you are filtering your tank plenty. I wouldn't say getting an Hydor 350 is necessary at all. What you have works.

Unless the Eheim is faulty or broken, I wouldn't replace it with a Hydor. I do like the Hydor filters though. I own a 150 and 250.

 

Eheim tests GPH with no media in the baskets (many companies do this).

(skip to 4:30 to see the true GPH of an Eheim canister)

With the AquaClear 70 and Eheim you are filtering your tank plenty. I wouldn't say getting an Hydor 350 is necessary at all. What you have works.

Unless the Eheim is faulty or broken, I wouldn't replace it with a Hydor. I do like the Hydor filters though. I own a 150 and 250.

Ok thanks. But since the eheim doesn't prime I'm guessing the flow rate goes down quite a bit? Also is a 350 able to replace both of my filters or a 450 would be necessary for this? Both eheim and aquaclear are a pain to clean (eheim for obvious reasons and ac because it has to be done every 3-4 weeks top). Having only one filter would be our goal. Hydor seems easy to do maintenance compared to eheim.

 

Ok thanks. But since the eheim doesn't prime I'm guessing the flow rate goes down quite a bit? Also is a 350 able to replace both of my filters or a 450 would be necessary for this? Both eheim and aquaclear are a pain to clean (eheim for obvious reasons and ac because it has to be done every 3-4 weeks top). Having only one filter would be our goal. Hydor seems easy to do maintenance compared to eheim.

I don't blame you for wanting to consolidate to one filter, especially if the Eheim is having priming issues. Although that may be fixed.

If you want to stick to one filter, and you are set on Hydor, I'd get a Hydor 450 or even a 600. The Hydor 350 alone wouldn't cut it.

When it comes to turn over rates, you want the canister to filter through your tank 5 to 6 times in an hour. So, with a 75 gallon tank, you want a canister with around a 375 gph rating (or close to it). The 600 would be more than sufficient, and the 450 would probably get the job done as well depending on the bio-load.

Hydor makes great filters, I love their canisters.

 

I don't blame you for wanting to consolidate to one filter, especially if the Eheim is having priming issues. Although that may be fixed.

If you want to stick to one filter, and you are set on Hydor, I'd get a Hydor 450 or even a 600. The Hydor 350 alone wouldn't cut it.

When it comes to turn over rates, you want the canister to filter through your tank 5 to 6 times in an hour. So, with a 70 gallon tank, you want a canister with around a 350 gph rating. The 600 would be more than sufficient, and the 450 would probably get the job done as well depending on the bio-load.

Hydor makes great filters, I love their canisters.

Ok thanks! I'm not particularly set on hydor, anything that is less annoying than eheim to clean and that would allow me to have a single filter would be fine for me. I did some research and Sunsun canister scares me with all the negative reviews. Maybe there aew cheaper and as good or better options than hydor?

As for the 600, wouldnt that be too strong with rummynoses? I hear they are sensitive to too strong current? Just want to be sure. I just want all my fish To be happy lol.

 

AmnScott, We are talking about Eheim Classic not Eheim Pro as in the video.....

"The Eheim 2217 has a pump output of 264 GPH at Zero head. When filled with Eheim's recommended media (brand new), equal length input & output hoses, minimum & maximum canister installation height requirements and no additional equipment inline, the filter is rated at 112 GPH."

Eheim does test with media installed.

 

AmnScott, We are talking about Eheim Classic not Eheim Pro as in the video.....

"The Eheim 2217 has a pump output of 264 GPH at Zero head. When filled with Eheim's recommended media (brand new), equal length input & output hoses, minimum & maximum canister installation height requirements and no additional equipment inline, the filter is rated at 112 GPH."

Eheim does test with media installed.

112gph? Isnt that way to low for a 75g?

 

AmnScott, We are talking about Eheim Classic not Eheim Pro as in the video.....

"The Eheim 2217 has a pump output of 264 GPH at Zero head. When filled with Eheim's recommended media (brand new), equal length input & output hoses, minimum & maximum canister installation height requirements and no additional equipment inline, the filter is rated at 112 GPH."

Eheim does test with media installed.

I never said they don't test with media in the canisters? Just mentioned the test because the GPH is rated at 264 on Amazon for the Eheim 2217. That is tested without media. That's all I implied. Regardless, at 112 GPh that alone is not sufficient for that size tank.

My example of the Eheim Pro was just that, an example. GPH ratings can vary greatly. Eheim tests with IDEAL conditions, regardless if it's a classic or a Pro. Such as canister placement, inlet/outlet placement, media placement, hose length, etc. There are many other variables. Actual GPH is usually lower in realistic conditions.

 

112gph? Isnt that way to low for a 75g?

No it isn't, but that is hard to understand for those who fall for the GPH hype. Eheim engineered their filters and included things like media surface area, dwell time, min & max flow when they rate their filters. The 2217 is rated to 160 gal, that would be @ it's best flow rate @ 0 head. You really want to know how well the other filters perform ? Hook them up with the small Eheim hoses and watch them die in GHP, put larger hoses on the Eheim and watch it excell in GPH, but that would go against Eheim's engineering formula.

 

No it isn't, but that is hard to understand for those who fall for the GPH hype. Eheim engineered their filters and included things like media surface area, dwell time, min & max flow when they rate their filters. The 2217 is rated to 160 gal, that would be @ it's best flow rate @ 0 head. You really want to know how well the other filters perform ? Hook them up with the small Eheim hoses and watch them die in GHP, put larger hoses on the Eheim and watch it excell in GPH, but that would go against Eheim's engineering formula.

Ok! I don't know much about all this but I imagine an unprimed filter loses a lot of gph? Just want to make sure because I know mine doesn't prime at all.

 

Ok! I don't know much about all this but I imagine an unprimed filter loses a lot of gph? Just want to make sure because I know mine doesn't prime at all.

All priming does is create a pressure differential with the water/air, and allows water to fill the canister and start to return to the tank. Once it's running and water is flowing through the impeller with no trapped air, the priming is irrelevant. Your GPH won't be affected by a canister that takes a while to prime.

When it comes to GPH, you want a canister that can filter the tank 5 to 6 times in an hour, or an HOB that can filter it 7 to 10 times in an hour. You can go slightly less than that with smaller bio-loads.

The reason why GPH matters is due to contact time with mechanical, chemical, and bio media. Essentially it gives the bacteria and fibers more time to catch particles and nitrogen.

A Hydor 600 would work well with your setup. Or you could keep your Aqueon 70 and run a Hydor 350 or 450.

 

All priming does is create a pressure differential with the water/air, and allows water to fill the canister and start to return to the tank. Once it's running and water is flowing through the impeller with no trapped air, the priming is irrelevant. Your GPH won't be affected by a canister that takes a while to prime.

When it comes to GPH, you want a canister that can filter the tank 5 to 6 times in an hour, or an HOB that can filter it 7 to 10 times in an hour. You can go slightly less than that with smaller bio-loads.

The reason why GPH matters is due to contact time with mechanical, chemical, and bio media. Essentially it gives the bacteria and fibers more time to catch particles and nitrogen.

A Hydor 600 would work well with your setup. Or you could keep your Aqueon 70 and run a Hydor 350 or 450.

Ive no choice but to remove the ac70. It doesn't fit the aquarium. The glass is too thick it doesn't sit well on it. Its halfway fit like it should or did on my older 55g. Its also cascading so close to my glass top that sometimes it spills on it. I'm not feeling safe with it. I also been told that an hob filter in a medium planted tank isn't helping the plants due to its cascading effect releasing the co2 out of the tank? I have no idea if that la true though. Its either 2 canisters or 1 bigger canister id say no?

 

Ive no choice but to remove the ac70. It doesn't fit the aquarium. The glass is too thick it doesn't sit well on it. Its halfway fit like it should or did on my older 55g. Its also cascading so close to my glass top that sometimes it spills on it. I'm not feeling safe with it. I also been told that an hob filter in a medium planted tank isn't helping the plants due to its cascading effect releasing the co2 out of the tank? I have no idea if that la true though. Its either 2 canisters or 1 bigger canister id say no?

Yes in planted tanks some worry about too much oxygen, and too little Co2. Depending on the design of the filter, the less agitation that occurs the less gas exchange will occur. I don't think you need to worry about that too much, unless you have some advanced plants.

And okay, I understand why you want to toss the HOB.

From my standpoint, your options are either trying to fix the 2217 canister with priming and add a supplementary canister (such as a Hydor 350/450), or replacing the 2217 with a Hydor 600. Either of those two options will work, IMO.

 

Yes in planted tanks some worry about too much oxygen, and too little Co2. Depending on the design of the filter, the less agitation that occurs the less gas exchange will occur. I don't think you need to worry about that too much, unless you have some advanced plants.

And okay, I understand why you want to toss the HOB.

From my standpoint, your options are either trying to fix the 2217 canister with priming and add a supplementary canister (such as a Hydor 350/450), or replacing the 2217 with a Hydor 600. Either of those two options will work, IMO.

Ok thanks a lot very appreciated! Do you have any alternative for my tank or hydor 600 is the best alternative for the price? I'm asking because I just saw that the filter is 24 inches tall which means id have to remove the shelf in my desk, which id rather keep but will remove if I have to. Thanks for all your help again!

LordPM.

 

I just got a SunSun 304b canister on eBay for a good price. It came full of media, so it was a really good deal. The SunSun304b has a gph of 525gph, which is plenty for your 75g. I have it on my 55g. I figure it is better to be over filtered than under. I really really like it. I have had it running for 2 weeks now, and won’t go back to using a hang on back again.

 

A friend of mine just offered a eheim 2217 or 2215 (hes got both) for my aquarium. Do you think a 1x 2215 and 1x 2217 would be enough for the tank or not? If not is 2x 2217 enough?

 

A friend of mine just offered a eheim 2217 or 2215 (hes got both) for my aquarium. Do you think a 1x 2215 and 1x 2217 would be enough for the tank or not? If not is 2x 2217 enough?

A 2215 and 2217 together should provide adequate filtration, yes.

 

A 2215 and 2217 together should provide adequate filtration, yes.

Ok thank you!

Thanks everyone for your help. Very much appreciated.

 

The 2215 and 2217 would work well. Don't know what you need ($) to get these filters but if there's not much difference ($) between the two, get the 2217 instead of the 2215.

 

The 2215 and 2217 would work well. Don't know what you need ($) to get these filters but if there's not much difference ($) between the two, get the 2217 instead of the 2215.

Ok thanks!
How would you place them in order To maximise efficiency? It seems tougher to place them well due to my glass top than it was with the hob+canister combo.

 

Ok thanks!
How would you place them in order To maximise efficiency? It seems tougher to place them well due to my glass top than it was with the hob+canister combo.

Place them in such a way as to maximise the water flow in the tank - i.e. if you have a planted tank, ensure that the is freshly filtered water moving through the plants. This will ensure that you have good plant growth and minimal algae growth as the water will be fresh around the plants. If you have two canister filters, you may for example put them inputs in the center of the tank and the filtered water return at either end of the tank - both at the back or one at the back and one at the front to ensure circulation through the planted areas.