Question: Need help on deciding between these two canister filters, please!

[ilomilo]

Hi all, first post, long time lurking.

My wife and I own two baby axolotls named ilo and Milo that we purchased in june at the Seattle reptile expo. They're currently living in a 10 gallon bare bottom tank, but will be moving into a fully planted 40 gallon breeder with a sand substrate next month.

Anyway, after much research and discussion, we've decided that a canister filter is the best way to go...The problem, we can't make our decision. Based on customer reviews and feedback we have it narrowed down to the following pair:

Eheim Ecco Canister Filter

Or

Penn Plaxx canister filter


My real question/concern is the GPH of both filters. The eheim ecco 2234 has a GPH rating of 145, while the 2236 is rated at 185 GPH, and the Penn Plax is rated at 185 GPH.

I know that eheim filters are super popular with aquarium hobbyists, but the pen plaxx has fairly stellar reviews and comes with several spray bars, which I really like. The other thing that's off putting about the eheim for me is the general unavailability of filter media/replacement parts.

Anyway, thoughts comments and/or opinions based on personal experience are much appreciated. I'll also take the time to apologize for the quality of the post as I've just come off of my night job and am fairly out of it, I'm sure it's....Lacking.

Anyway, thanks in advance!

[TheAxolotlWhisperer]

Personally I would go with Eheim. I don't have one on my axolotl tank, but I do have one on my sw tank and they're great. As far as media you don't have to use Eheim brand media. Also foster and smith carry replacement parts and the media. The gph shouldn't be to big of a deal either since it uses a spray bar.

[ilomilo]

If the eheim comes with the spray bar then I'm definitely more inclined to go with it. It wasn't listed in the included parts description [or I may be thinking of another filter], which pretty much gave another point to penn plaxx.

As far as gph, is there a hard and fast rule for the gph/tank size ratio? I've searched around on the internet for an answer, but I've found more conflicting info than anything else.

Thank you for your reply.

[TheAxolotlWhisperer]

Well I personally don't know a specific equation to tell you if your gph is to much or not. For me it's really just trial and error. I mostly go with filters that have an adjustable flow rate. Eheims don't but in my experience they don't tend to cause to much flow. In fact I had to add power heads to my fish tank to increase the flow around the tank. I'm fairly certain it has a spray bar since I saw the attachment that is right before the spray bar, but I couldn't tell you 100%

[TheAxolotlWhisperer]

I'd have to retract that last statement it does not come with a spray bar, but you can buy one separately and it also has an adjustable flow rate

[ilomilo]

Thank you for taking the time to reply and offer your opinion. We appreciate it.

[tusken raider]

I have an ehiem 2215 and 2217 i recommend, super quiet and reliable also not sure how a ehiem 2213 or 2215 compares but they come with spray bars and media

[Dyelon]

I have never used the ehiem but i have 2 cascade canisters one on my axolotl tank. They spray bar is very convenient and i like the multiple stages inside it's effective and doesn't create too much flow and it is adjustable which is nice.