Replacement for Fluval 303?

[Harry]

I need to replace my old Fluval 303 because the motor burned out. I'm
not a fish hobbyist, I just enjoy the tank we have in the dining room,
so I'm not needing "top-of-the-line" equipment. I don't always
maintain the tank as I should and I'm guessing that the present
filtration setup gives me a little cushion.

Setup:
46gal bow front tank
"Community" type fish
Emperor 280 filter
Fluval 303 (the one that needs to be replaced)
Bio Wheel Pro 60 which receives it's filtered water from the Fluval

Priorities in decending order of importance:
Reasonable cost
Able to use the Bio Wheel Pro 60 for return water from the filter
Easier to prime than the Fluval 303
Quieter than the Fluval 303
Able to reuse some of the media (BioMAX) from Fluval 303

Any suggestions would be most appreciated.

TIA,
Harry

[RedForeman ©®]

> I need to replace my old Fluval 303 because the motor burned out. I'm
> not a fish hobbyist, I just enjoy the tank we have in the dining room,
> so I'm not needing "top-of-the-line" equipment. I don't always
> maintain the tank as I should and I'm guessing that the present
> filtration setup gives me a little cushion.
>
> Setup:
> 46gal bow front tank
> "Community" type fish
> Emperor 280 filter
> Fluval 303 (the one that needs to be replaced)
> Bio Wheel Pro 60 which receives it's filtered water from the Fluval
>
> Priorities in decending order of importance:
> Reasonable cost
> Able to use the Bio Wheel Pro 60 for return water from the filter
> Easier to prime than the Fluval 303
> Quieter than the Fluval 303
> Able to reuse some of the media (BioMAX) from Fluval 303
>
> Any suggestions would be most appreciated.
>
> TIA,
> Harry

How about a Fluval 304?? Pretty much the same filter that just quit...
89.99 @ petco.

--
RedForeman ©® future fabricator and creator of a ratbike
streetfighter!!! ==========================
2003 TRX450ES
1992 TRX-350 XX (For Sale)
'98 Tacoma Ext Cab 4X4 Lifted....
==========================
ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤° `°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø


is that better??

[Harry]

On Mon, 12 Apr 2004 15:11:26 -0400, "RedForeman ©®"
> wrote:

>> I need to replace my old Fluval 303 because the motor burned out.
[snip]
>How about a Fluval 304?? Pretty much the same filter that just quit...
>89.99 @ petco.

I'm less than impressed with the 303. However, since it's the only
canister filter I've had I don't know if it is better or worse than
others.

My complaints about the 303:
It was often difficult to get all of the air out after cleaning
Priming was a real pain after cleaning out the hoses
It was often noisy even after much effort to purge it of air

Thanks for the suggestion. Maybe the 304 is a better unit than the one
it replaced. I'll consider it.
Harry

[RedForeman ©®]

> I'm less than impressed with the 303. However, since it's the only
> canister filter I've had I don't know if it is better or worse than
> others.

Understood... I've had problems with an eheim, they're supposed to be the
best... right now the only canister I'll ever use again is a PennPlax
Cascade.. Very impressed with this one..

> My complaints about the 303:
> It was often difficult to get all of the air out after cleaning
> Priming was a real pain after cleaning out the hoses
> It was often noisy even after much effort to purge it of air
>
> Thanks for the suggestion. Maybe the 304 is a better unit than the one
> it replaced. I'll consider it.

Fluval got a bad rep a couple years back, they've since become much
better...

--
RedForeman ©® future fabricator and creator of a ratbike
streetfighter!!! ==========================
2003 TRX450ES
1992 TRX-350 XX (For Sale)
'98 Tacoma Ext Cab 4X4 Lifted....
==========================
ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤° `°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø


is that better??

[T]

Hey Red, what kind of problems did you have with the Ehiem.. ??I have not
had any problems yet.. Just maybe there is something for me to look out for
them..

Tim..


"RedForeman ©®" > wrote in message
...
> > I'm less than impressed with the 303. However, since it's the only
> > canister filter I've had I don't know if it is better or worse than
> > others.
>
> Understood... I've had problems with an eheim, they're supposed to be the
> best... right now the only canister I'll ever use again is a PennPlax
> Cascade.. Very impressed with this one..
>
> > My complaints about the 303:
> > It was often difficult to get all of the air out after cleaning
> > Priming was a real pain after cleaning out the hoses
> > It was often noisy even after much effort to purge it of air
> >
> > Thanks for the suggestion. Maybe the 304 is a better unit than the one
> > it replaced. I'll consider it.
>
> Fluval got a bad rep a couple years back, they've since become much
> better...
>
> --
> RedForeman ©® future fabricator and creator of a ratbike
> streetfighter!!! ==========================
> 2003 TRX450ES
> 1992 TRX-350 XX (For Sale)
> '98 Tacoma Ext Cab 4X4 Lifted....
> ==========================
> ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤° `°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø
>
>
> is that better??
>
>

[Josh Mills]

In article >,
says...
> I need to replace my old Fluval 303 because the motor burned out. I'm
> not a fish hobbyist, I just enjoy the tank we have in the dining room,
> so I'm not needing "top-of-the-line" equipment. I don't always
> maintain the tank as I should and I'm guessing that the present
> filtration setup gives me a little cushion.
>
> Setup:
> 46gal bow front tank
> "Community" type fish
> Emperor 280 filter
> Fluval 303 (the one that needs to be replaced)
> Bio Wheel Pro 60 which receives it's filtered water from the Fluval
>
> Priorities in decending order of importance:
> Reasonable cost
> Able to use the Bio Wheel Pro 60 for return water from the filter
> Easier to prime than the Fluval 303
> Quieter than the Fluval 303
> Able to reuse some of the media (BioMAX) from Fluval 303
>
> Any suggestions would be most appreciated.
>
> TIA,
> Harry
>
I like my eheim 2215 alot (55 gal tank). It's quiet, and works great, I
have no complaints. You can get one for around $110 with media, hoses,
and quick dissconect valves. Some people might argue that you can get a
filter just as good for less, but I haven't tried any other canisters so
I can't comment on others. But my next decent sized tank will have an
eheim for sure.

Josh

[Dan J. S.]

RedForeman ©® wrote:
>> I need to replace my old Fluval 303 because the motor burned out. I'm
>> not a fish hobbyist, I just enjoy the tank we have in the dining
>> room, so I'm not needing "top-of-the-line" equipment. I don't always
>> maintain the tank as I should and I'm guessing that the present
>> filtration setup gives me a little cushion.
>>
>> Setup:
>> 46gal bow front tank
>> "Community" type fish
>> Emperor 280 filter
>> Fluval 303 (the one that needs to be replaced)
>> Bio Wheel Pro 60 which receives it's filtered water from the Fluval
>>
>> Priorities in decending order of importance:
>> Reasonable cost
>> Able to use the Bio Wheel Pro 60 for return water from the filter
>> Easier to prime than the Fluval 303
>> Quieter than the Fluval 303
>> Able to reuse some of the media (BioMAX) from Fluval 303
>>
>> Any suggestions would be most appreciated.
>>
>> TIA,
>> Harry
>
> How about a Fluval 304?? Pretty much the same filter that just quit...
> 89.99 @ petco.

72.99 at Big Als

http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=22043;category_id=1711

But I suggest any Eheim over this.

[NetMax]

"RedForeman ©®" > wrote in message
...
> > I'm less than impressed with the 303. However, since it's the only
> > canister filter I've had I don't know if it is better or worse than
> > others.
>
> Understood... I've had problems with an eheim, they're supposed to be
the
> best... right now the only canister I'll ever use again is a PennPlax
> Cascade.. Very impressed with this one..

I've had trouble with Eheim too. Fingers crossed that it's solved.

> > My complaints about the 303:
> > It was often difficult to get all of the air out after cleaning
> > Priming was a real pain after cleaning out the hoses
> > It was often noisy even after much effort to purge it of air
> >
> > Thanks for the suggestion. Maybe the 304 is a better unit than the
one
> > it replaced. I'll consider it.
>
> Fluval got a bad rep a couple years back, they've since become much
> better...

I don't know the 303 but the 304 is a nice filter. I'm running several
of them at work and one at home. Relative to your complaints on the 303,
the 304 hoses are both from the top, so air entrapment is less likely.
Priming is on par with a filter which does not have a priming mechanisim
(I'm not overly impressed with the 304 primer). The hoses
quick-disconnect off which makes servicing easier, and the material is
opaque, so they don't grow algae inside (I've yet to clean a hose, and
it's been over a year). The Bio-max can be re-used with any canister
filter. My 304 is a few feet away from an Eheim 2213 and there is no
significant noise difference (through the air the 2213 is quieter and a
lower frequency hum, - through the cabinet the 304 is quieter, vibrates
less), like I said, no significance difference.

I like your idea of running the Bio Wheel Pro 60 off of the canister.
That's a very intelligent design. I wish the Pro 60s were a little less
expensive. I keep pulling strings with my rep, to no avail ;~)

NetMax

> --
> RedForeman ©® future fabricator and creator of a ratbike
> streetfighter!!! ==========================
> 2003 TRX450ES
> 1992 TRX-350 XX (For Sale)
> '98 Tacoma Ext Cab 4X4 Lifted....
> ==========================
> ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤° `°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø
>
>
> is that better??
>
>

[RedForeman ©®]

> Hey Red, what kind of problems did you have with the Ehiem.. ??I have
> not had any problems yet.. Just maybe there is something for me to
> look out for them..
>
> Tim..

Bad head unit I think, it's got more leaks than... well... I couldn't think
of anything.... It's got a bunch of leakes... Every Oring, leakes, even new
rings... silicon doesn't/didn't help, replaced the valves, still leaked,
replaced everything except the head unit and hoses.... I have been wanting
to call eheim, but the hassle of it all.... as much as I'm out, I should get
it fixed, but it's like a bad nightmare, if I ignore it, it doesn't exist...
If I pull it out of the bucket again, my skin crawls...

The last time this was in service, my 29g was drained to about 1" of water
above the gravel, luckily, my fish are smart.... I've never been the same
since....

--
RedForeman ©® future fabricator and creator of a ratbike
streetfighter!!! ==========================
2003 TRX450ES
1992 TRX-350 XX (For Sale)
'98 Tacoma Ext Cab 4X4 Lifted....
==========================
ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤° `°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø


is that better??

[T]

"Josh Mills" > wrote in message
.. .
> In article >,
> says...
> > I need to replace my old Fluval 303 because the motor burned out. I'm
> > not a fish hobbyist, I just enjoy the tank we have in the dining room,
> > so I'm not needing "top-of-the-line" equipment. I don't always
> > maintain the tank as I should and I'm guessing that the present
> > filtration setup gives me a little cushion.
> >
> > Setup:
> > 46gal bow front tank
> > "Community" type fish
> > Emperor 280 filter
> > Fluval 303 (the one that needs to be replaced)
> > Bio Wheel Pro 60 which receives it's filtered water from the Fluval
> >
> > Priorities in decending order of importance:
> > Reasonable cost
> > Able to use the Bio Wheel Pro 60 for return water from the filter
> > Easier to prime than the Fluval 303
> > Quieter than the Fluval 303
> > Able to reuse some of the media (BioMAX) from Fluval 303
> >
> > Any suggestions would be most appreciated.
> >
> > TIA,
> > Harry
> >
> I like my eheim 2215 alot (55 gal tank). It's quiet, and works great, I
> have no complaints. You can get one for around $110 with media, hoses,
> and quick dissconect valves. Some people might argue that you can get a
> filter just as good for less, but I haven't tried any other canisters so
> I can't comment on others. But my next decent sized tank will have an
> eheim for sure.
>
> Josh

I am running a 2235 on a 55g Malawi Community tank.. Seemed to take care of
a small algae problem.. I got it from Big Als for $100 USD shipping
included.. There was no media with the set except the filter pads.. Works
good, although I have been thinking about adding a layer of lava rock to aid
in Bi Filtration..

Tim..

[Harry]

On Tue, 13 Apr 2004 01:44:51 GMT, Josh Mills
> wrote:

>In article >,
>says...
>> I need to replace my old Fluval 303 because the motor burned out.
[snip]

>I like my eheim 2215 alot (55 gal tank). It's quiet, and works great, I
>have no complaints. You can get one for around $110 with media, hoses,
>and quick dissconect valves. Some people might argue that you can get a
>filter just as good for less, but I haven't tried any other canisters so
>I can't comment on others. But my next decent sized tank will have an
>eheim for sure.
>
>Josh

From what I can tell by looking at pictures, the Eheim Plus 2215 does
not have baskets to contain the media. That appears to be a drawback
because with the Fluval 303 I could remove the baskets and rinse the
ones that had the BioMAX in them in water I had drained from the tank.
The Pro II 2026 appears to have baskets, but it is twice the price of
a Fluval 304 which does appear to have baskets.

Harry

[Josh Mills]

In article >,
says...
> On Tue, 13 Apr 2004 01:44:51 GMT, Josh Mills
> > wrote:
>
> >In article >,
> >says...
> >> I need to replace my old Fluval 303 because the motor burned out.
> [snip]
>
> >I like my eheim 2215 alot (55 gal tank). It's quiet, and works great, I
> >have no complaints. You can get one for around $110 with media, hoses,
> >and quick dissconect valves. Some people might argue that you can get a
> >filter just as good for less, but I haven't tried any other canisters so
> >I can't comment on others. But my next decent sized tank will have an
> >eheim for sure.
> >
> >Josh
>
> From what I can tell by looking at pictures, the Eheim Plus 2215 does
> not have baskets to contain the media. That appears to be a drawback
> because with the Fluval 303 I could remove the baskets and rinse the
> ones that had the BioMAX in them in water I had drained from the tank.
> The Pro II 2026 appears to have baskets, but it is twice the price of
> a Fluval 304 which does appear to have baskets.
>
> Harry
>
Well the eheim does come with pads that keep the media separate. If I'm
going to open my filter I'm gonna clean the whole thing, so not much of
an issue for me. Just put each type of media in a colander and rinse. I
like the simplicity of the eheim classic, no baskets to break or lose.
I'm just saying what I like about the eheim. Also the eheim is zero
bypass, all the water is forced to go through the media, no where else
for it to go. I'm sure the fluval is good also, but I don't have one, so
I can't vouch for it.

Josh

[Harry]

On Wed, 14 Apr 2004 01:32:39 GMT, Josh Mills
> wrote:

>In article >,
>says...
>> On Tue, 13 Apr 2004 01:44:51 GMT, Josh Mills
>> > wrote:
>>
>> >In article >,
>> >says...
>> >> I need to replace my old Fluval 303 because the motor burned out.
>> [snip]
>>
>> >I like my eheim 2215 alot (55 gal tank). It's quiet, and works great, I
>> >have no complaints. You can get one for around $110 with media, hoses,
>> >and quick dissconect valves. Some people might argue that you can get a
>> >filter just as good for less, but I haven't tried any other canisters so
>> >I can't comment on others. But my next decent sized tank will have an
>> >eheim for sure.
>> >
>> >Josh
>>
>> From what I can tell by looking at pictures, the Eheim Plus 2215 does
>> not have baskets to contain the media. That appears to be a drawback
>> because with the Fluval 303 I could remove the baskets and rinse the
>> ones that had the BioMAX in them in water I had drained from the tank.
>> The Pro II 2026 appears to have baskets, but it is twice the price of
>> a Fluval 304 which does appear to have baskets.
>>
>> Harry
>>
>Well the eheim does come with pads that keep the media separate. If I'm
>going to open my filter I'm gonna clean the whole thing, so not much of
>an issue for me. Just put each type of media in a colander and rinse. I
>like the simplicity of the eheim classic, no baskets to break or lose.
>I'm just saying what I like about the eheim. Also the eheim is zero
>bypass, all the water is forced to go through the media, no where else
>for it to go. I'm sure the fluval is good also, but I don't have one, so
>I can't vouch for it.
>
>Josh

Josh,

I'm still not sure which filter I'll purchase, but I sure appreciate
the information you have provided.

Thanks,
Harry

[NetMax]

"Harry" > wrote in message
...
> On Wed, 14 Apr 2004 01:32:39 GMT, Josh Mills
> > wrote:
>
> >In article >,

> >says...
> >> On Tue, 13 Apr 2004 01:44:51 GMT, Josh Mills
> >> > wrote:
> >>
> >> >In article >,

> >> >says...
> >> >> I need to replace my old Fluval 303 because the motor burned out.
> >> [snip]
> >>
> >> >I like my eheim 2215 alot (55 gal tank). It's quiet, and works
great, I
> >> >have no complaints. You can get one for around $110 with media,
hoses,
> >> >and quick dissconect valves. Some people might argue that you can
get a
> >> >filter just as good for less, but I haven't tried any other
canisters so
> >> >I can't comment on others. But my next decent sized tank will have
an
> >> >eheim for sure.
> >> >
> >> >Josh
> >>
> >> From what I can tell by looking at pictures, the Eheim Plus 2215
does
> >> not have baskets to contain the media. That appears to be a drawback
> >> because with the Fluval 303 I could remove the baskets and rinse the
> >> ones that had the BioMAX in them in water I had drained from the
tank.
> >> The Pro II 2026 appears to have baskets, but it is twice the price
of
> >> a Fluval 304 which does appear to have baskets.
> >>
> >> Harry
> >>
> >Well the eheim does come with pads that keep the media separate. If
I'm
> >going to open my filter I'm gonna clean the whole thing, so not much
of
> >an issue for me. Just put each type of media in a colander and rinse.
I
> >like the simplicity of the eheim classic, no baskets to break or lose.
> >I'm just saying what I like about the eheim. Also the eheim is zero
> >bypass, all the water is forced to go through the media, no where else
> >for it to go. I'm sure the fluval is good also, but I don't have one,
so
> >I can't vouch for it.
> >
> >Josh
>
> Josh,
>
> I'm still not sure which filter I'll purchase, but I sure appreciate
> the information you have provided.
>
> Thanks,
> Harry

It's not really fair to compare an Eheim Classic series 2215 with a
modern Fluval 304. The Classic is older technology, and Eheim has _much_
better filters on the market now.

If you really wanted to compare them, then the Fluval 304 is more
powerful (check the specs, Fluval: 260gph vs Eheim: 135gph to 163gph when
empty), and it's bigger (about 1.8" taller and roughly 2.4" wider). The
Fluval's sponge filter is also much larger (more time between servicing).
Instead of the 'optional' in-line hose connectors/shut-off valves Eheim
sells, the Fluval uses a single lever integrated shut-off and hose
disconnect. The filter media is not always included with Eheims (sponge,
bio-max & charcoal are standard on all the Fluvals), and Eheim media is
not cheap. The Classic use the same hoses we used 30 years ago, which
kinked at tank edges and filled with algae. Fluval uses opaque
corrugated hoses which go around corners without kinking. The Fluval has
a self-primer (which works poorly), but the Eheim doesn't have one at
all. For all the extra features, the Fluval 304 costs less than the
Eheim 2215. I wonder where your money's value is going?

I have nothing but respect for people when they tell me that the best
filter is ('insert any filter name here'), because theirs is a valid
subjective opinion, often from someone who only has one filter (but it
works well for them). But if you want to talk about cold hard mechanical
specifications, that all changes, and a 'brand name' is not a
specification. If you want to spend more for less, to pay for a name,
then it's your money. When I bought my Eheim 2213 three years ago, it
was much better than anything Fluval had on the market, so I have no
regrets. When I needed my next canister, I bought a 304. In a few
years, my next one might be a Maxi, or Rena, or Eheim or something else.
I have no brand loyalty. When I'm buying, I just want the best filter
than I can afford.

ok, climbing off my soap box now.
NetMax

[flupke]

NetMax wrote:

>
> It's not really fair to compare an Eheim Classic series 2215 with a
> modern Fluval 304. The Classic is older technology, and Eheim has
> _much_ better filters on the market now.
>
> If you really wanted to compare them, then the Fluval 304 is more
> powerful (check the specs, Fluval: 260gph vs Eheim: 135gph to 163gph
> when empty), and it's bigger (about 1.8" taller and roughly 2.4"
> wider). The Fluval's sponge filter is also much larger (more time
> between servicing). Instead of the 'optional' in-line hose
> connectors/shut-off valves Eheim sells, the Fluval uses a single
> lever integrated shut-off and hose disconnect. The filter media is
> not always included with Eheims (sponge, bio-max & charcoal are
> standard on all the Fluvals), and Eheim media is not cheap. The
> Classic use the same hoses we used 30 years ago, which kinked at tank
> edges and filled with algae. Fluval uses opaque corrugated hoses
> which go around corners without kinking. The Fluval has a
> self-primer (which works poorly), but the Eheim doesn't have one at
> all. For all the extra features, the Fluval 304 costs less than the
> Eheim 2215. I wonder where your money's value is going?
>
> I have nothing but respect for people when they tell me that the best
> filter is ('insert any filter name here'), because theirs is a valid
> subjective opinion, often from someone who only has one filter (but it
> works well for them). But if you want to talk about cold hard
> mechanical specifications, that all changes, and a 'brand name' is
> not a specification. If you want to spend more for less, to pay for
> a name, then it's your money. When I bought my Eheim 2213 three
> years ago, it was much better than anything Fluval had on the market,
> so I have no regrets. When I needed my next canister, I bought a
> 304. In a few years, my next one might be a Maxi, or Rena, or Eheim
> or something else. I have no brand loyalty. When I'm buying, I just
> want the best filter than I can afford.
>
> ok, climbing off my soap box now.
> NetMax

I think you have a point here. It's easier to always go for the same
brand over and over again but to me, it seems wise to look for the
best filter "at that time". And i don't care if it's an eheim or fluval as
long
as it's reasonable in price both for the initial purchase and
spare parts/filter media and that it filters ok.

flupke

[Harry]

On Wed, 14 Apr 2004 21:53:33 -0400, "NetMax"
> wrote:

>
>"Harry" > wrote in message
...
>> On Wed, 14 Apr 2004 01:32:39 GMT, Josh Mills
>> > wrote:
>>
>> >In article >,

>> >says...
>> >> On Tue, 13 Apr 2004 01:44:51 GMT, Josh Mills
>> >> > wrote:
>> >>
>> >> >In article >,

>> >> >says...
>> >> >> I need to replace my old Fluval 303 because the motor burned out.
>> >> [snip]
>> >>
>> >> >I like my eheim 2215 alot (55 gal tank). It's quiet, and works
>great, I
>> >> >have no complaints. You can get one for around $110 with media,
>hoses,
>> >> >and quick dissconect valves. Some people might argue that you can
>get a
>> >> >filter just as good for less, but I haven't tried any other
>canisters so
>> >> >I can't comment on others. But my next decent sized tank will have
>an
>> >> >eheim for sure.
>> >> >
>> >> >Josh
>> >>
>> >> From what I can tell by looking at pictures, the Eheim Plus 2215
>does
>> >> not have baskets to contain the media. That appears to be a drawback
>> >> because with the Fluval 303 I could remove the baskets and rinse the
>> >> ones that had the BioMAX in them in water I had drained from the
>tank.
>> >> The Pro II 2026 appears to have baskets, but it is twice the price
>of
>> >> a Fluval 304 which does appear to have baskets.
>> >>
>> >> Harry
>> >>
>> >Well the eheim does come with pads that keep the media separate. If
>I'm
>> >going to open my filter I'm gonna clean the whole thing, so not much
>of
>> >an issue for me. Just put each type of media in a colander and rinse.
>I
>> >like the simplicity of the eheim classic, no baskets to break or lose.
>> >I'm just saying what I like about the eheim. Also the eheim is zero
>> >bypass, all the water is forced to go through the media, no where else
>> >for it to go. I'm sure the fluval is good also, but I don't have one,
>so
>> >I can't vouch for it.
>> >
>> >Josh
>>
>> Josh,
>>
>> I'm still not sure which filter I'll purchase, but I sure appreciate
>> the information you have provided.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Harry
>
>It's not really fair to compare an Eheim Classic series 2215 with a
>modern Fluval 304. The Classic is older technology, and Eheim has _much_
>better filters on the market now.
>
>If you really wanted to compare them, then the Fluval 304 is more
>powerful (check the specs, Fluval: 260gph vs Eheim: 135gph to 163gph when
>empty), and it's bigger (about 1.8" taller and roughly 2.4" wider). The
>Fluval's sponge filter is also much larger (more time between servicing).
>Instead of the 'optional' in-line hose connectors/shut-off valves Eheim
>sells, the Fluval uses a single lever integrated shut-off and hose
>disconnect. The filter media is not always included with Eheims (sponge,
>bio-max & charcoal are standard on all the Fluvals), and Eheim media is
>not cheap. The Classic use the same hoses we used 30 years ago, which
>kinked at tank edges and filled with algae. Fluval uses opaque
>corrugated hoses which go around corners without kinking. The Fluval has
>a self-primer (which works poorly), but the Eheim doesn't have one at
>all. For all the extra features, the Fluval 304 costs less than the
>Eheim 2215. I wonder where your money's value is going?
>
>I have nothing but respect for people when they tell me that the best
>filter is ('insert any filter name here'), because theirs is a valid
>subjective opinion, often from someone who only has one filter (but it
>works well for them). But if you want to talk about cold hard mechanical
>specifications, that all changes, and a 'brand name' is not a
>specification. If you want to spend more for less, to pay for a name,
>then it's your money. When I bought my Eheim 2213 three years ago, it
>was much better than anything Fluval had on the market, so I have no
>regrets. When I needed my next canister, I bought a 304. In a few
>years, my next one might be a Maxi, or Rena, or Eheim or something else.
>I have no brand loyalty. When I'm buying, I just want the best filter
>than I can afford.
>
>ok, climbing off my soap box now.
>NetMax
>
NetMax:

After receiving the replies to my question, I did indeed do additional
research. Yes, I discovered that the Eheim 2215 was indeed older
technology. I also discovered that there are quite a few people who
are so impressed with Eheims (for whatever reason - many of them
probably valid) that they would purchase one again if they were in the
market for a canister filter. However, when I compared the newer Eheim
Pro II with the Fluval 304, I simply couldn't justify the additional
cost. And so I ordered a Fluval 304 yesterday.

Thanks for validating my conclusion in an area about which I know very
little.
Harry