Habitat - Indoor :: Scored a FREE filter!

[TheBean]

My boss gave me the filter to his 75gal fish tank today. It's an Eheim and according to a Google search on the model, this one is designed for a tank up to 159gal. I'm in the process of building a habitat from a 110 gallon stock tank (see my other thread). Will this filter be large enough for the stock tank? I'm working on a pretty small budget (wedding in 4 months) so if it'll work it would be a HUGE help. It does work and has media in it already but I'll replace the media.






He also gave me this little pump. Not sure what I want to use it for. He used it as a circulation pump without a filter:



What do y'all think? Doable?

[steve]

Seems like you can use it. I'm not sure what else you want to with the powerhead, but more circulation is good.

Good luck cleaning those tubes, it looks like a lot of work!

[TheBean]

Yea...I was thinking a good snake brush and some 409 or something will clean 'em right up. The whole thing needs a bit of cleaning but shoot, for free? I'll do it!

[steve]

When I clean the tubes on the XP3, I use a long wooden dowel (longer than the tube) and push through a moist paper towel through a few times. It's pretty nasty, but it gets the gunk out.

[frog]

how much are filters?

[Vtolds]

I think it will be fine, my XP3 is roughly rated for the same gallons and I have it in a 110 gallon stock tank.

[TheBean]

When I clean the tubes on the XP3, I use a long wooden dowel (longer than the tube) and push through a moist paper towel through a few times. It's pretty nasty, but it gets the gunk out.

Hmm.....that's a darn good idea! Gonna try that...

how much are filters?

You mean the fill that goes inside? Not really sure. I was just gonna go with mostly loose fill like the spiky ball things. If someone else can recommend a really good filter or filler for this thing, my ears are wide open.

I think it will be fine, my XP3 is roughly rated for the same gallons and I have it in a 110 gallon stock tank.

Cool beans! Thank you!

[imderanged]

When I cleaned out some tubes that looked like that I soaked them in vinegar/water solution before I used the pipe cleaners on them (mine were a bit smaller... I like the wooden dowel/paper towel idea for bigger tubes) and the owner of a local aquarium store sugested using salt to scrub it if there were any really tough areas, but it came pretty clean with the vinegar.

[frog]

how much are filters?

You mean the fill that goes inside? Not really sure. I was just gonna go with mostly loose fill like the spiky ball things. If someone else can recommend a really good filter or filler for this thing, my ears are wide open.

no, i mean how much do filters usually cost?

[TheBean]

Ah. I think the XP3 which is about the same size as mine is around 150 - 200. Try a google search. I found a bunch.

[Vtolds]

^I paid 110.00 there are much better deals out there.

never mind, the price has sky rocketed. i remember just a few months ago you could buy them for 90 bucks.

[TheBean]

The price of everything has sky rocketed unfortunately.

What do y'all recommend as media for this filter? I know next to nothing here. Are different media better than others? I read about carbon keeping the smell down in another thread. What else should I pack this thing with?

[Chrisbarnett]

you'll probably want to do something like this:
Bottom: I would put Fluval pre-filter or something similar to catch large waste pieces.
Middle: Bio-media, Rena Bio stars, ceramic rings, and lava rock are said to work well.
Top: Microfiltration pad, or just some filter foam to catch any last bits before water returns back to the tank.

Carbon isn't really necessary but it helps with water odor and impurities if you have them.

[TheComputerGremlin]

You should be able to buy replacement hoses, whether from Eheim or somewhere else, if all else fails. I recommend the carbon, it keeps the smell so minimal, I can barely tell I have a turtle! I don't know much about Eheim, but I recommend something like what Rena has, these thick black pads that trap a lot of the debris before it makes it to the bio media. But sometimes specific filters require specific pieces, so check out what's normally put in there.

Here's some good links: http://www.aquariumguys.com/eheimcanister4.html
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... 2215000000
http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ct ... 217pluskit

Based on the prices I just saw, you scored a big savings with a free filter!

[mat012]

I actually just set up the very same filter. The Eheim 2217. I really like it. It is absolutely silent. I mean no noise - none. It was very easy to set up and prime. I think you have gotten a good deal. You can find them for about $120 online - but FREE is so much better.

I have to say though I am a bit disappointed with the water clarity - its good just not "crystal clear". I am not ready to blame the filter yet. Could be some other issues - but eventually I think I will get another hang on the tank filter to polish the water.

You will be happy.