Eheim Professionel II vs. Fluval 404

[fishdude07]

hey ive been thinking about my future tank (either a 55 gallon or 75 gallon probably) and i was looking at canister filters. ive been looking at the eheim professionel II and the fluval 404. i have a few questions:

1) what would you recommend? the eheim professionel II or the fluval 404? why?

2) what are the advantages/disadvantages of each?

3) which are more expensive?

4) whats the difference between the standard version and thermo version of the eheim professionel II? is there any difference other than the "heating power" the thermo version has?

5) what is the "heating power" that the thermo version of the eheim professionel II has? does it have a built-in heater inside the filter?

6) if i decided to get the eheim professionel II thermo version, would it eliminate the need for a heater?

7) im assuming the thermo version would cost more than the standard version. if so, how much more would the thermo version cost?

8) do you have experience with both the eheim professional II AND the fluval 404? if so, which have you found was the better filter? how is it better than the other?

9) if i bought fluval 404's, how many would i need for a 55 gallon tank? what about a 75 gallon tank?

10) if i bought eheim professionel II's (either the standard or thermo version), how many would i need for a 55 gallon tank? what about a 75 gallon tank?

keep in mind that when i get the future tank (which wont be for a while), im almost sure it will be a cichlid tank...possibly discus or JDs

thanks in advance!

 

[Firebug]

1) what would you recommend? the eheim professionel II or the fluval 404? why? I would recommend the eheim professionel II, becuase they work better, and the water looks better (clearer).

2) what are the advantages/disadvantages of each?
dunno.

3) which are more expensive? The eheim professionel will be more expensive, because it's foreign.

I don't have answers for questions 4-10, sorry.

 

[Avalon]

Originally posted by fishdude07
hey ive been thinking about my future tank (either a 55 gallon or 75 gallon probably) and i was looking at canister filters. ive been looking at the eheim professionel II and the fluval 404. i have a few questions:

1) what would you recommend? the eheim professionel II or the fluval 404? why?

The Pro II

2) what are the advantages/disadvantages of each?

The advantages of the Eheim is excellent build quality, it's extremely silent, and almost care-free maintenence (I clean mine about 3-4 times per year. The Eheim also holds more media.

I'm not sure the Fluval has any advantages over the Eheim other than the cost.

3) which are more expensive?

The Eheim, about twice as much as the Fluval.

4) whats the difference between the standard version and thermo version of the eheim professionel II? is there any difference other than the "heating power" the thermo version has?

The thermo version has a heating element, the other does not.

5) what is the "heating power" that the thermo version of the eheim professionel II has? does it have a built-in heater inside the filter?

Yes, it has it's own 210 watt heating element. I hear it's pretty good.

6) if i decided to get the eheim professionel II thermo version, would it eliminate the need for a heater?

It would eliminate the need for heaters inside your tank.

7) im assuming the thermo version would cost more than the standard version. if so, how much more would the thermo version cost?

About $20-30

8) do you have experience with both the eheim professional II AND the fluval 404? if so, which have you found was the better filter? how is it better than the other?

Both are good filters, but the Eheim simply does everything just a little better. The most annoying thing about the Fluval is it's build quality. It's a little cheaper made.

9) if i bought fluval 404's, how many would i need for a 55 gallon tank? what about a 75 gallon tank?

10) if i bought eheim professionel II's (either the standard or thermo version), how many would i need for a 55 gallon tank? what about a 75 gallon tank?

keep in mind that when i get the future tank (which wont be for a while), im almost sure it will be a cichlid tank...possibly discus or JDs

Just one. You would want the Eheim 2028/2128. You might need a powerhead for additional circulation for the 75g.

 

[dana307]

I have a fluval 404 on my 55 gallon which is sufficient ONLY if the bioload is not heavy. And I need to keep up with the cleaning of it. I had bought an Eheim on Ebay and just could not get the thing to work right. Forget the model type but be careful when deciding which model to buy. Some are great.

 

[styxx1]

I concur with everything Avalon says...the contruction is very good and I would suggest that it has significan advantages over the Fluval.

Silent.
Higher Media Capacity
Nice input/output connection
Built in heating element works well

The main point is you get what you pay for and it is going to be more expensive, I think mine was at least $200.00 possibly more but I don't remember.

 

[fishdude07]

thanks guys. looks like ill go with the eheim professionel II if i do end up getting a canister filter

 

[jclif1995]

good choice. i've owned both, actually the 304 and i was always getting blow by toward the end of the month. with the pro II, i watch the flow indicator and clean as necessary. in addition, it is a media monster. boy will the thing hold the media.

 

[bluoval1]

I have a Fluval 404 on my 125. I also have a HOT 220 and a Penguin 330. My Fluval I bought a little over 4 years ago. It has worked without exception every day! BUT it sits under my tank and when it slows down and I need to clean it out, it is a PAIN to get out from under the tank. It is a little heavy when it is full of water and media. Common to all canisters tho. It is sometimes difficult to get primed. Until it is completely primed and running after cleaning it is a little loud. Recently the part that disconnects the hoses from the filter started not staying latched down. Easily fixed with a little veg oil as suggested by the manufacturer. I also started having a problem with that valve assy getting some algae buildup which made it seep after it was disconnected for cleaning. Cleaned it up and now it is fine.
Would I get one again. Sure. No problems that couldn't occur to any other filter. But I will probably get an Eheim 2217 for my 75 not because I am unsatisfied with my Fluval, just want to try another filter.
I would give it an 7.5 out of 10.

 

[TaffyFish]

Great answer form Avalon.
If you can afford it get Eheim, you will not regret it (even if it is foreign! LOL!)
If you don't want a heater in the tank get the thermo version, alternatively look at the standard Pro II and buy a Hydor inline heater.

 

[jclif1995]

i recommend the in-line heater. i recently changed out to one and the tank seems less cluttered. i'm very pleased with the results .