Eheim 2028 vs 2128

[George]

I'm planning an ADA style 48x18x18, overtank lighting, lily pipe/diffuser glassware etc.

Filtration is my next decision, either the Eheim 2028 or 2128.

Is there any advantage to running the 2128 over a 2028 with 300w Hydor in-line heater?

I understand the 2128 comes with an external probe therefore potentially spoiling the scape, and I've heard rumours of reliability issues. Even the difference in cost is relatively small. So the choice seems obvious unless I'm missing something?

[crazie.eddie]

I use an a 2128 and also an Ecco with a Hydor inline heater. I haven't had any problems with the 2128 and I had it for about 2 years already. The Hydor is about a month old.

The 2128 appears to be more accurate with keeping the temp of the water, since the probe remains in the tank. The Hydor appears to check the temp of the incoming water. They both seem to do their job. For maintenance reasons, the 2128 is easy to access the heating lines in the canister, since it's all the way in the bottom. I suppose in the future, I may want to clean the inline heater for any buildup, but I may have a harder time.

[magicmagni]

I like the aspect of having separate equipment rather then an all in one type of thing. Just thinking if one thing breaks both are not out of commission. The hydors are easy to plumb and are very dependable. Either way will work though.

[tazcrash69]

While I usually agree with magicmanni, I know of a couple people with the 2128, love it, and haven't had any issues with it.

Also the Hydor will reduce your flow a bit.

[Chupacabras]

My flowrate out of a 2026 is still just fine with a Hydor and a reactor in line... one of the nice things about externals like the Hydor is that if you ever get around to getting an Aquacontroller or its ilk (a great investment, btw) you can just plug the Hydor in and the controller will maintain whatever variance you like. I can't speak for the 2128's probe but I know my controller's probe is just a piece of 18'ish guage wire.

[ringram]

I have a 2026 w/ a 300w hydor inline heater and haven't seen any issues. It's been set up for about 1.5-2 months on my 90g. Maybe its reducing the flow a little bit, but the flow rate still seems quite good. I'll probably get a true feeling of whether it works adequately once fall/winter sets in, as the warm weather has deemed a heater just about worthless. I have it set at about 76, but the tank stays at a constant 80-82 and the heater never has to come on.

[magicmagni]

My initial perception was that the hydor would resist flow a bit, but after looking into it there is just no way that this is possible unless a piece of debris was to get lodged in there. This heater is simply a heated tube. It is actually larger in diameter then the filter tubes it attacthes to so and there are no baffles or anything in there to resist flow.

Eheim makes good stuff so if you have the option to get it with a heater go for it. If will be a cleaner install and less stuff to plug in. There are also two versions of the heater. One for marine use and the other for fresh water use. If you want to save a few bones get the one for freshwater as opposed to the saltwater one.

[Ibn]

Either would work. I chose the 2128 since it was an all-in-one solution. The heater module is replaceable if something does happen to them.

[Brilliant]

Uhhh...I dont like to put all of my eggs in one basket.

Yes! Eheim has a GREAT product, I can see that already. I just dont like combining some things...filter..heater...maybe I am just too new...I dont have any experience with these products...but I never will. Personally, I would buy a filter and a heater.

I thought these Eheim Pro filters were a new line, I didnt realize they have been out soo long.

[George]

Thanks for all the input guys. I'll go with the 2028 and in-line heater.