Rena vs. Eheim

[Magpie1]

Hello,

I'm updating my existing 55g FW set-up to a planted tank (low tech). After much reading, I've decided on the following:

1. Upgrade the stock lighting to a Coralife Dual T5 Strip (2 - 28W bulbs)
2. Give my existing substrate a boost by adding Flourite. My existing gravel has been in use for several years so I'm going to just add enough Flourite for a 50/50 mix with a substrate depth of 2-3 inches.

I feel pretty good about items #1 and #2 above. It's #3 that's giving me trouble.

3. I have a Penguin Biowheel 200 on my tank right now. I've got an AquaClear 110 on a 55g SW tank and really like it. So, my initial thought was to switch to an AquaClear for the FW. However, after reading, if I'm going to upgrade I think I should upgrade to a canister. I'm looking at the Rena and the Eheim. Is one of these better than the other or are the equals?

If you recommend the Rena, would you go XP2 or XP3 for 55g? And, if you recommend the Eheim, is the 2217 the way to go?

Thoughts on #1 and #2 are also welcome. Thanks!

[TheFishBoss97]

For #3, I would recommend Eheim Canister Filters and yes, I think 2217 would be the way to go because Eheim Canister Filters have a reputation for being very well built, efficient, and very quiet compared to other canister filters for the same price.

Also for #2, you should put the flourite on the bottom underneath your older gravel because that is where your FW plant roots are going to be, and since the roots take in all the nutrients that the plant needs to thrive, that is where you should put the plant substrate. Are you going to be adding plant fertilizer like flourish excel?

[NJAquaBarren]

Rena xp3. Plenty of horsepower for 55g. Very easy to maintain. High quality. Eheim may be a little quieter if that is a priority.

[lauraleellbp]

I'd go with a 2217 or an XP3, whichever you can find the best deal on at the moment. Can't go wrong with either, IMO.

[F22]

eheim.. no question in my book.

[Magpie1]

Thanks, everyone. Seems like its a close race between the canisters with the Eheim ahead by a hair. They (the XP3 and the 2217) are within the same price range on Big Al's...with the Eheim at $160 and the Rena at $170, so that doesn't really aid in the decision.

If I go with the canister, I would like to use a Hydor inline heater...seems like everyone likes these. Would 200W be enough? (My house is pretty consistently at 70-74) I will have an extra submersible if I need to bump up the heat for some reason.

I'm not going to start out using ferts just because I have a moderately stocked tank and I would like to see how things go without them but I'm not opposed to adding ferts in the future.

I'm excited to get things up and running, now I just need to get all my equipment!

[lauraleellbp]

Yep, the 200 watt Hydor should work.

Pay attention to the hose size on the filter you get (and the Eheim uses 2 hose sizes) so you pick the correct size Hydor (the 200 watt comes in 2 barb sizes, if I remember correctly?)

Also, check out prices on Ebay- you can often get a NIB filter including media there cheaper than just about anywhere else.

[problemman]

i have a rena and im very happy with it! easy to clean and does its job. clean the spray bar and inlet when you do cleanings to keep the flow up. but i really like my fluval 405 more as that has a ton of horsepower!

[barakainus]

Rena is not an easy to handle filter. Compare to a good Eheim. I'd go for Eheim Ecco 2236 instead of the Classic. That's an easy filter. And the Hydor 200W goes great with it. I used it on my 48G. I'd buy both again for a new tank any time.
I also had Rena xp3 and would never buy it again.

[lauraleellbp]

Originally Posted by barakainus

Rena is not an easy to handle filter. Compare to a good Eheim. I'd go for Eheim Ecco 2236 instead of the Classic. That's an easy filter. And the Hydor 200W goes great with it. I used it on my 48G. I'd buy both again for a new tank any time.
I also had Rena xp3 and would never buy it again.

Out of curiousity, why didn't you like the Rena?

[barbarossa4122]

I will get an xp4 for a 55g but, an xp3 is also enough.

[barbarossa4122]

Originally Posted by barakainus

Rena is not an easy to handle filter. Compare to a good Eheim. I'd go for Eheim Ecco 2236 instead of the Classic. That's an easy filter. And the Hydor 200W goes great with it. I used it on my 48G. I'd buy both again for a new tank any time.
I also had Rena xp3 and would never buy it again.

I have 3 Renas and they are very very easy to handle. Can you explain why is not easy to handle the Rena, please ? It's easy to write bad things about a product without an explanation. Give it a try and try to elaborate more. Btw, I never owned an Eheim but, I bet they are very good filters.

[ycbs]

I'd like to know why he doesn't think the Rena is easy to handle, as well. I own four of them (1 XP3, 2 XP2's and 1 XP1) and think they couldn't get much easier to handle and maintain. An XP2 was the first canister filter I ever got and like it so much I haven't tried another brand. Not a knock on other brands, but sort of a 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' thing. I originally got it because of the good recommendations people were giving for it and also the price. The prices for the XP line have definitely gone up, though, since then.

I'm sure the Eheim's are excellent filters, too, based on the recommendations people give. My main issue with them are the green intakes and outflows. Not very inconspicuous. Also, I see so many people when comparing the Eheims with the XPs talking about how quiet the Eheims are. My XPs are so quiet, I sometimes put my hands on the canister just to see if it's running.

All that said, I did see recently on another board, I think, where someone was questioning whether newer XPs were of the same quality as older ones. A guy said that an older XP he had had thicker plastic parts and said 'Made in France' but a newer one had thinner, flimsier plastic parts and said 'Made in Mexico'. All four of mine seem to be identical, except for the sizes, but I haven't gotten a new one in well over a year now.

[barbarossa4122]

Also, I see so many people when comparing the Eheims with the XPs talking about how quiet the Eheims are. My XPs are so quiet, I sometimes put my hands on the canister just to see if it's running.

I do the same thing especially on the xp2 which runs in our bedroom about 3' from our bed.

[barakainus]

Originally Posted by lauraleellbp

Out of curiousity, why didn't you like the Rena?

1. It's easy to make it leak. The placement of head is too critical. It leaked on me at least twice in half a year. It's a very little and it first fills the empty space in the head, so you don't even know it leaks. But over night, it's easily a gallon or two on the floor. It leaked around power cable.
2. flow adjustment is in the tank not on the filter. adjusting flow with hood on the tank is not easy
3. filling through the small opening never worked well. There was always some air in the filter and it made splashing sound for hours. even after filter cleaning, there was air sucked in the filter

and few other smaller things:
4. tubes are very hard - any moving with the filter moves the out/in-pipes in the tank
5. the out-flow doesn't have as good degree of freedom of adjustment as Ecco
6. tubes cannot be removed separately


Compare to Ecco:
1. Never leaked. It has round o-ring and the head is channeled while settling. It probably helps to prevent leak.
2. Flow adjustment outside of the water, by the filter and even on both tubes
3. priming is easy

I know many people in person that love Rena filters. I just wanted to present it as an alternative opinion