Aquaball series by Eheim

[art]

Anyone using them ?

I recently came across them at the LFS and opened it up to find a super small filter....of cos this boasts the feature of modularity , and addition of modules to the main unit.

BUT the modules are SOOOOOO small and the filter medium so small and little too.....

I cant say its value for money at all.....for that price you pay , can easily get other int filters at half price or less with better flowrate and higher medium capacity too...

[Callichthyidae]

art, i was waiting anxiously for these aquaball to arrive when i first read about them in eheim's webby. i liked (still do) the various compartments in which to put diff filter media.

but when they finally came, i was a bit put off by the size of the whole filter, prices of the refills and the flowrates. i figured that for a flowrate comparative to 2008, i'll need to get the 2010 (?) which has 3 compartments (rrp ~$71) and it's bulkier.

i may get one later, but only when i really need it later. the excitement faded after close inspection.:p

[leafhorn]

So the old series still better?

[Callichthyidae]

just by judging on the flowrate, the old ones looked more compact. i couldn't open the aquaball to check, but is there something in the middle like the 2006/2008, that the refill has a hole in the middle? are the containers for the aquaball not completely hollow?

recently, i wanted to put carbon into my 2008 but with that tube in the middle, i'd a hard time squeezing the pack in, while trying to put white filter floss on top and below it.

i thought if the aquaball's containers are hollow, it'll be easier...

another setback is that the refills are like $20 each!!!:eek:

[art]

Yeah actually for that kind of prices, I wouldnt even get an int filter...just top up $10 can get a 2213 External Eheim brand new...:)

[shanor]

i still believe that lfs plays a big part of pricing...

just imagine, atman 3338 prices ranges from 98 to 200!!

if i am a shop owner i would rather earn on volume than margin...

as far as EHEIM is concern, their range never fail...

it is their durability that can save you your $$$$, unless some fishkeepers only keeps fish for only 1year, then give up, then keep bird, then give up, then keep spider, then give up...

my uncle have been using 2217 for 10 years already... and change his media once every 4months... you calculate the savings he made your self...

happy fish keeping...:D

[leafhorn]

Originally posted by art
Yeah actually for that kind of prices, I wouldnt even get an int filter...just top up $10 can get a 2213 External Eheim brand new...:)

Precisely.

[leafhorn]

Originally posted by shanor
i still believe that lfs plays a big part of pricing...

just imagine, atman 3338 prices ranges from 98 to 200!!

if i am a shop owner i would rather earn on volume than margin...

as far as EHEIM is concern, their range never fail...

it is their durability that can save you your $$$$, unless some fishkeepers only keeps fish for only 1year, then give up, then keep bird, then give up, then keep spider, then give up...

my uncle have been using 2217 for 10 years already... and change his media once every 4months... you calculate the savings he made your self...

happy fish keeping...:D

Precisely too!

[Callichthyidae]

I bought the smallest model from C328 the other day, for my hospital/quarantine tank. I'd been using Eden 304 but found that cleaning it was quite messy.

I find that the flow looks pretty strong in that 16inch tank, but it's ok cos I've created quite a few refuges in there.

Now looking for the accessories '?' to connect to the outlet, so that it's not just one empty O. Seen any?

Thanks!

[benny]

Originally posted by coryfav
I bought the smallest model from C328 the other day, for my hospital/quarantine tank. I'd been using Eden 304 but found that cleaning it was quite messy.

I find that the flow looks pretty strong in that 16inch tank, but it's ok cos I've created quite a few refuges in there.

Now looking for the accessories '?' to connect to the outlet, so that it's not just one empty O. Seen any?

Thanks!

Eheim has 3 optional nozzle that you can fit on the outlet of the aquaball. This will allow you to vary the flow as well as to connect some accessories that has a smaller diameter (e.g. rain bar etc)

Cheers,

[Callichthyidae]

benny, have you seen the nozzles on sale in c328? i've so far only seen filter medias for these aquaballs.

[benny]

OK. Update on the Eheim's revolutionary Aquaball internal filter.

IT SUCKS!!!

It's not suitable if you are keeping small fishes like pygmy corys, pygmy rasboras and other tetras. The clip that holds the filter also traps small fishes. Once they swim in, they're stuck and die trying to get out. I just lost 2 corydoras Hastatus this way.:mad:

Also, all the dirt is suck in via the biological medium to be flush out by the pump. However, it's a total mess in you tank everytime you try to handle the filter. The minute you touch it, everything floats off the filter and into the water column. Jeezz...:mad:

If you guys want a good internal filter that's hassle free and safe for small fishes. You know what to look out for.

Cheers,

[Callichthyidae]

Here's my input based on my own recent experience:

I bought the smallest model to use in my 16inch 23litres quarantine/hospital tank. I replaced the Eden 304 with this, mainly because I can remove the aquaball filter for easy change of filter floss. I have not experienced the mess that Benny has mentioned (during change of filter media), maybe because the one I use only has a small sponge in it.

Water level filled to 7inch. Bottom of the filter is about 2inch away from the bottom of the tank. Output of the filter is slightly less than an inch from the water surface. I've 4 java ferns (tighted to individual driftwoods) and a clay refuge in it.

When I last had a pleco in that tank, I tilted the output up and towards the other diagonal end of the tank. That caused enough agitation to the water surface (for oxygen), as well as current to move the pleco poo to a side for easy cleaning. (On and off, I also had one or two tetra patients.) I changed 50% water every morning, since it's a very small tank with a hungry pleco.[::)]

Recently, with no patient nor new fish, I left the tank running but faced the output towards the nearest end of the glass (less current in water), thinking of the possibility of putting 5 then-to-be bought corys for quarantine. After only 2 days of not changing water, I saw (about 6) 'strands of something' on the water surface. One end was on the water surface, while the other end dangling in the water. Looked like mosquito larve, though they're not moving/wriggling...[:knockout:]

Latest observation: dirt accumulating on the bottom of the tank, under the filter. I cleaned the glass with my hand recently.

(Output is adjusted to the minimum from Day 1.)

My opinion? This filter has its good points and bad. Cost aside, though the output is strong enough to create good agitation to the water's surface, I think the filter is not strong enough to suck all the dirt accumulating below it, in. I like the way that the filter can be removed for cleaning, while the bracket remains, though.

I'll still continue to leave it in that tank. Maybe I'll remove some of the plants in there, when I've a 'tenant' next time, and see how things go.

I'm still considering whether to get the 3-compartment model (rrp $75) to support a 2028 external canister, in a future tank. Still observing and will continue to access other users' oppinions.[;)]

Meanwhile, the 5 corys I finally bought, looked healthy enough to go directly into my main tank.[:)]

[art]

Actually what benny described are common problems of Internal filters.....the death trap for small fishes and difficult cleaning of them problems.

Thats why canisters are ideal :D
Or at least anything thats external....even top wetdry filters and hang-on-top filters do a better job IMO too :D

[Callichthyidae]

Originally posted by benny
Hey Fav,

You can take mine to try anytime. The flow rate on mine is suppose to be stronger, but the minute the biological pad is clogged, it really slows down. That why it's fairly high maintenance.

Cheers,

Thanks, Benny.

If I do, it'll only be over a month's time. Anyway, I think I'll most probably get a Eheim Ecco instead.;)