Eheim 2128 and 2215... Too much filtration for 90Gal?

[JCSharp]

I am looking for some opinions / suggestions here.

Time to take the plunge... I am ready to order my filtration for a soon to be heavy planted 90G tank.

I have decided to go with the Eheim 2128 as my primary canister. Initially, I wanted to run my CO2 reactor and U/V sterilizer on the output of it, but have since changed my mind.

I contacted a larger more reputable on-line Eheim vendor, and they suggested me to refrain from putting any restriction on the output of a Pro II series unit. There reasoning was that a.) this would inhibit the functionality of the prime feature and b.) place an extra strain on the motor / moving parts - causing it to prematurely wear. So, since I was planning to purchase a secondary canister anyway, I will just run the U/V and CO2 reactor off of it. I guess in my mind, I can justify doing that – prolonging the life of the expensive canister (even if it's minute), and putting load on the cheaper more suited workhorse.

So, now I need to decide on a second canister. What do you think about me going with the Eheim 2215 which would give me a flow rate of ~164 GPH. Would this be enough to power the Turbo-Twist 18W UV and Aqua Medic 1000 Reactor?

Also on the shopping list is the Eheim surface extractor. Anyone know what fittings I might need to plumb all this together? The units will all be housed below in the cabinet which is about 5 ft below the center back lip of the aquarium. Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

[Laith]

Originally Posted by JCSharp

...they suggested me to refrain from putting any restriction on the output of a Pro II series unit. There reasoning was that a.) this would inhibit the functionality of the prime feature and b.) place an extra strain on the motor / moving parts - causing it to prematurely wear....

That's puzzling: the 2026 ProII has a control lever to enable reduction of the flow. It is basically a valve on the output of the filter. If that doesn't place an extra strain on the motor, why would an inline reactor?

[eums]

i have a 2028 pro II on my 80 gal and its fine. i am thinking of adding a fluiadized bed filter just because i have one and i don't think it would hurt.

[Momotaro]

When I was setting up my 75G, I had some similar concerns about adding a CO2 reactor to the output of my 2216. I was considering the AquaMedic AB1000 CO2 reactor. Using that reactor would have meant sizing down the output tubing to accommodate the reactor, and then possibly sizing the tubing back up to accommodate the spray bar.

I contacted Eheim directly. I saved the emails. Here are some of the bits:

About the 2126 and a CO2 reactor on a 75G:

The 2026 should be more than enough for your aquarium, it is designed for aquariums up to 95G and pumps 251GPH. Whit the CO2 reactor you might reduce the flow a bit but I don't think it will be less than 150GPH. Adding a pump head to increase water circulation is the best solution. With a planted aquarium you won't really need a lot of filtration because the plants will take care of it.

Yes your filter can handle that reactor without problems.

About reducing the output tubing to accommodate a CO2 reactor:

You won't stress your 2126 by doing this( the impeller will always turn at the same RPM), however you might encounter a reduced flow rate at the end of the cycle

That's correct you can reduce the intake or the output to fit the CO2 reactor. The only thing that can happen with this kind of set up is that you will have a slower water flow.

I would run a CO2 reactor off of the 2128 without hesitation. I don't think I would also add the UV. I would be afraid of reducing the water flow too much. Since you are planning on running a 2215 as well, run the UV and the surface extractor off of that. Thats what I do!

The surface extractor is a neat device, but it can be a real fiddly pain! My suggestion would be to get your aquarium up and running, and then see if you have surface film that needs to be addressed. The surface extractor is an easy piece of equipment to add.

Mike

[JCSharp]

Thank you very much for the feedback and advise Laith / Eums / Mike! I went ahead and bought both the 2128 and 2217 along with the surface extractor. I hope this won't be too much water movement for my 90Gal. I am hoping that once I get my plants well established it will be just fine.

I went up to the 2217 so I could plug my Aqua Media Reactor 1000 into it - Aqua Medic recommends at least 250 GPH to get a better CO2 solution. I might just T off the 2128 and put the 18W Coralife Turbo-Twist U/V on it. I think it might provide the least flow reduction of the two. Got some extra fittings and 12 additional feet of tubing, so I should be busy once the shipment comes in!

So for you that have added reactors / U/V sterilizers on the output of their Pro II units, are you still able to use the prime button feature without any issues? Or is that just an overrated feature? Thanks... Looking forward to starting a journal soon to track the progress. Hey, that reminds me Mike... I think it's time to sign-up for the Eheim Pimp club!!!

[Hypancistrus]

I have the Aqua Medic 1000 Reactor and an Eheim 2128 filter set up underneath my 42 hex planted tank.

When I added the AM1000, I actually found the flow rate was TOO LOW... the AM1000 kept emptying. I actually had to add a power head on top of the AM1000 to boost the flow back up. (It was a Maxi Jet 1200.)

Of course, I also have a UV unit hooked up after the 2128, so I'm sure that factors in. My water flow goes to the 2128, to UV unit (TurboTwist 6X), to the AM1000 (with the Maxi Jet 1200 pump on top), then back to the tank.

I have no problems at all getting priming to work. Flow rate is good.

Also, the surface extractor will not fit the connections for the 2128... I know because I ordered one and was not able to use it because it's designed for a smaller tubing width.

I am however using the Eheim Pre Filter module. That also doesn't fit the 2128 tube width, however, you can slide the top piece of the Pre Filter Module off, and the bottom piece will fit. So I just cut a piece of Eheim tubing to fit to the bottom part of the Pre Filter Module so that it fit into my hex tank all the way down to the bottom. The Pre Filter Module is great because you can easily reach in and rinse it out every couple of days, and it will prevent the canister from getting clogged prematurely.

Personally I would have added a HOB filter + 1 canister instead of 2 canisters, but that's just me.

Originally Posted by Momotaro

When I was setting up my 75G, I had some similar concerns about adding a CO2 reactor to the output of my 2216. I was considering the AquaMedic AB1000 CO2 reactor. Using that reactor would have meant sizing down the output tubing to accommodate the reactor, and then possibly sizing the tubing back up to accommodate the spray bar.

I didn't need to do that... I just went to Lowe's and got some hose clamps, that allowed me to put the existing tubing over the AM1000's in/outputs and just tighten the clamps! So far, no leaks at all.

[aquaverde]

With canister filters in general, it's my understanding that impeding the output won't hurt them. It reduces flow, and consequently, power consumption. Impeding the inlet is a different story.

Considering the responses I'm getting to my similar thread for a 65g, it's highly unlikely you will have too much water movement. Especially if the tank is heavily planted.

[Momotaro]

Also, the surface extractor will not fit the connections for the 2128... I know because I ordered one and was not able to use it because it's designed for a smaller tubing width.

Eheim suggests "T"-ing the surface extractor off on any filter above the 2213.

Of course, I also have a UV unit hooked up after the 2128, so I'm sure that factors in.

You bet it does! That is a lot to run off of one filter. I do think Sn8k does it successfully though.

I didn't need to do that... I just went to Lowe's and got some hose clamps, that allowed me to put the existing tubing over the AM1000's in/outputs and just tighten the clamps! So far, no leaks at all.

You are braver than I am! If it doesn't fit tightly, I am too nervous! 75 gallons of water on the floor, ...makes me shudder! Heck, 3 gallons of water on the floor is a lot of water!

Mike