Eheim 2080

[mmfed01]

I was wondering if anyone has had experience with the Eheim 2080? I have the opportunity to get one used but have read that they do have "some" leaking issues on the valves. The only Eheims I have used are the Classic 2217's. They've been good to me....

Mike

[devonjohnsgard]

Jul 28, 2015 6:54:44 GMT -5 mmfed01 said:

I was wondering if anyone has had experience with the Eheim 2080? I have the opportunity to get one used but have read that they do have "some" leaking issues on the valves. The only Eheims I have used are the Classic 2217's. They've been good to me....

Mike

Never used it. Appears to be a good filter, just over priced for what it can do. Here's Carl's review of the line.

www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Filtration.html#eheim

[Carl]

I prefer the Classics over the larger over priced models as noted by Devon.

As for the valves, this style of valve is used in many European designed filters and does tend to be a bit problematic for leaks.
My suggestion is to simply replace it with a heavy Duty Ball valve

Resource for ball valves:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/PlumbingParts.html#ballvalves

Carl

[mmfed01]

I've seen a Eheim 2262. Impressive but you have to devise your own pads and filter bags. I do it on a lesser scale in my 2217's. If I did decide to go with the 2080 it would be on my 120 gallon..(future home to my African Frogs). Currently they are in an indoor pond created around a 150 gallon rubbermaid stock tank. Four Ocean Clear filters do the filtration....Love them but are too difficult to service in a an apartment.

Mike

[Carl]

From my use of ALL canister filters, regardless of brands, you are MUCH better off using reasonably priced, medium capacity canister filter such as the Eheim Classics or SunSun line THEN connecting a good FSB filter such as the TMC #1000 FSB filter.
This will provide vastly better bio filtration while providing the few benefits any size canister filter will provide.

Reference:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Filtration.html

Product Resource:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/FluidizedSandFilter.html

Carl

[devonjohnsgard]

+1^^ on that one. Good point. I'm a FSB fan.

[mmfed01]

The Eheim is a generally excellent filter with excellent capacity, good solid construction, and an excellent flow pattern with little flow-by.

However the Eheim is sometimes over priced for the questionably better quality than other top filters such as the Filstar.

In fact in my use, reliability is no better than many others (impeller failure rates are no better than many economy canister filters) and head pressure is worse than the SunSun, Perfect and others.

I reread the entire section on canister filters. Great stuff. What is SunSun doing right that Eheim isn't regarding head pressure? Having been a part of many filter forums over the years, I have found some Eheim "enthusiasts" to be somewhat obnoxious....posting on hype and not on real world performance. 

Reading it took me down memory lane....all the various filters I've owned over the years. The Marineland Magnum was my first "canister" filter. Worked great on my (now retired) 29 gallon tall....but clogged quickly. My favorite setup
was my Ocean Clear 318 and 319 with polystrand pads combined with the Magdrive 24 pump. It still powers my indoor pond at my parent's house. It will be dismantled soon and the frogs will be moving to VA (Carl and Devon have been helpful as I prepare the 120 gallon to house them.)

I did own two Rena Filstar XP-XL's, however one developed a hairline crack at the bottom of the filter housing and leaked..causing damage to the apartment below me. For the sake of saving my butt, I took the other one out of service. I found the stock tubing to be too "soft" for my liking as well. Kinking was an issue at times. 


Mike

[Carl]

I have found this problem with some Eheim "enthusiasts" as well.
As for head pressure, it comes down to impeller design and electromagnet inside the "head".

Do not get me wrong, the Eheims are good filters, especially the Classic models when value is considered too.
As well the Sunsun, while having good head pressure, use some cheap connections (which AAP modifies before selling).

I have used many Magnums (probably close to a 100 since I set up a fish room with many). The first generation had many issues with the impeller, but later models were very strong, but as you stated had low capacity and clogged quickly.

The filter that leaves me scratching my head as per popularity is the Fluval. with the exception of the first generation Magnum and a few other no-names, NO FILTER had more issues as a percentage than the Fluval, and I have used 100s since me were inherited with new aquarium service contracts.
There use of the annoying ribbed tubing is another aspect I really cannot stand about these vastly over rated filters.

Carl

[angelminx]

Love your new emoticon, Carl !

As to canister filters, I really like the simplicity (usually) of the Filstar XPs, and the fact that you can see the water level inside the filter to help monitor it.  The only real problem I have with them is not really their problem so much as it is the awkwardness of maneuverability--or lack thereof--when trying to work underneath the tank, and that is probably a universal problem with all canister filters.  I always feel like I'm standing on my head when I have to disconnect/connect it !

Angelminx

[mmfed01]

Carl, you are right. I don't understand why the Fluval line holds on to that design. I had a small pinhole leak develop on the FX5 tubing. Made a nice puddle before I caught it. The tubing on the FX5 is why I thought it be a better idea to hook Vecton up to a Sunsun rather try to play with the Fluval tubing.

But.....BUT there is hope. (Insert sarcasm)

reefbuilders.com/2013/09/30/francis-the-fish-geek-named-hagen-aquatic-development-manager/

Francis from the "Fish Tank Kings" is going to work at Hagen. Even though I couldn't stand him on the show....or the show itself for that matter, maybe he'll fix the tubing. I'd still pay money to chase him
around with a pitchfork though The show lost me on painted fakes in their creations and lake of emphasis on filtration (what really interests me).....

Mike

[Carl]

I would not hold out hope. Such a move by Hagen is typical, as they chose a marketer to run their aquatic development.

Hagen has ALWAYS been about marketing and their sheeple following is proof their strategy works, so why change now?

Carl

[mmfed01]

No hope...but I will hold on to my pitchfork. In fact I'll lean it up against the Fluval G6 that was given to me by a buddy who owned an aquarium store....