Eheim Canister Filters
Eheim was founded by Gunther Eheim in 1949. It 2004 it then merged with mp and JÄGER to build an aquatics powerhouse. Since 2012 they have been operating under the single brand, Eheim. Based in Germany, they have developed a reputation for producing aquarium equipment of the highest quality. This includes the Eheim Canister Filter range. Below we discuss the Eheim canister filter options as well as replacement pads and other accessories.
Filter Reviews
Eheim Canister Filter – Classic 150
A Little Bit Fishy Score: 4/5
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The Eheim Canister Filter – Classic 150 is designed for aquariums of between 50 and 150 liters. This makes it perfect for tanks up to 40 gallons in size. It is suitable for both freshwater and saltwater aquariums.
The filter has a low energy consumption, running off 5 Watts. It has a filter volume of one liter and a flow rate of approximately 300 liters per hour. Although seen as Eheim’s entry level model it is still quiet and efficient. For many aquarium enthusiasts, the Classic range is a great introduction to the Eheim canister filters – high quality, but designed with your budget in mind.
The filter comes with filter media (EHEIM Mech & Substrat Pro) and valves. It has a filter basket, inlet pipe, hose and spray bar. In addition, it comes with a base for safe positioning.
Eheim Canister Filter – Classic 250
A Little Bit Fishy Score: 4/5
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The Eheim Canister Filter – Classic 250 is designed for aquariums of between 80 and 250 liters. This makes it perfect for tanks up to 65 gallons in size. It is suitable for both freshwater and saltwater aquariums.
The filter has a low energy consumption, running off 8 Watts. It has a filter volume of three liters and a flow rate of approximately 440 liters per hour. Although seen as Eheim’s entry level model it is still quiet and efficient. For many aquarium enthusiasts, the Classic range is a great introduction to the Eheim canister filters – high quality, but designed with your budget in mind.
The filter comes with filter media (EHEIM Mech & Substrat Pro) and valves. It has a filter basket, inlet pipe, hose and spray bar. In addition, it comes with a base for safe positioning.
Eheim Canister Filter – Classic 350
A Little Bit Fishy Score: 4/5
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The Eheim Canister Filter – Classic 250 is designed for aquariums of between 120 and 350 liters. This makes it perfect for tanks up to 90 gallons in size. It is suitable for both freshwater and saltwater aquariums.
The filter has a low energy consumption, running off 15 Watts. It has a filter volume of four liters and a flow rate of approximately 620 liters per hour. Although seen as Eheim’s entry level model it is still quiet and efficient. For many aquarium enthusiasts, the Classic range is a great introduction to the Eheim canister filters – high quality, but designed with your budget in mind.
The filter comes with filter media (EHEIM Mech & Substrat Pro) and valves. It has a filter basket, inlet pipe, hose and spray bar. In addition, it comes with a base for safe positioning.
Eheim Pro4+ Filter – 250
A Little Bit Fishy Score: 4/5
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The Eheim Pro4+ Filter is an upgrade from the Pro 3 range of canister filters. Made in Germany, the Eheim Pro4+ Filter – 250 is energy efficient, working off 12 Watts. It is designed for aquariums between 120 liters and 250 liters in size – so for tanks up to approx. 60 gallons in size.
This canister filter has a filter volume of 3.5 liters and pumps approximately 950 liters per hour. It is suitable for both freshwater and saltwater aquariums. It comes with filter pads, media and everything you’ll need to install the filter.
In addition to the above, the filter also has some great functionality built in:
- Emergency button
- Adjustable flow rate
- Xtender – a control function to counteract blocked filter media – helping to mitigate filtration issues and increase the period between required cleans
- Self priming aid
- Prefilter to catch larger particles and prevent them entering the main filtration system. This pre-filter is easy to remove and clean.
Eheim Pro4+ Filter – 600
A Little Bit Fishy Score: 4/5
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The Eheim Pro4+ Filter is an upgrade from the Pro 3 range of canister filters. Made in Germany, the Eheim Pro4+ Filter – 600 is energy efficient, working off 16 Watts. It is designed for aquariums between 240 liters and 600 liters in size – so for tanks up to approx. 150 gallons in size.
This canister filter has a filter volume of 6.5 liters and pumps approximately 1,250 liters per hour. It is suitable for both freshwater and saltwater aquariums. It comes with filter pads, media and everything you’ll need to install the filter.
In addition to the above, the filter also has some great functionality built in:
- Emergency button
- Adjustable flow rate
- Xtender – a control function to counteract blocked filter media – helping to mitigate filtration issues and increase the period between required cleans
- Self priming aid
- Prefilter to catch larger particles and prevent them entering the main filtration system. This pre-filter is easy to remove and clean.
EHEIM Ecco Pro External Canister Filter – 35 Gallon
A Little Bit Fishy Score: 4/5
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The Eheim ecco pro 130 is designed for aquarium between 60 and 130 liters in size. This is the equivalent to aquariums up to 35 gallons in size. It has a pump flow rate of 500 liters per hour.
Made in Germany, this canister filter is energy efficient, requiring just 5 Watts to operate. It has a filter volume of 1.2 liters and a total volume of 3 liters and is suitable for both freshwater and saltwater aquariums.
Similar to the Pro 4+, the Eheim ecco pro 130 has a pre-filter, ensuring that larger dirt particles are preventing from entering the main filtration system.
The Ecco pro is easy to use and comes with the required filter baskets and filter media. In addition, it is self priming and has easy to use shut off taps.
EHEIM Ecco Pro External Canister Filter – 60 Gallon
A Little Bit Fishy Score: 4/5
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The Eheim ecco pro 200 is designed for aquarium between 100 and 200 liters in size. This is the equivalent to aquariums up to 50-55 gallons in size (slightly less than the 60 gallons as advertised). It has a pump flow rate of 600 liters per hour.
Made in Germany, this canister filter is energy efficient, requiring just 5 Watts to operate – incredibly low for a filter of this size. It has a filter volume of 2 liters and a total volume of 4 liters and is suitable for both freshwater and saltwater aquariums.
Similar to the Pro 4+, the Eheim ecco pro 200 has a pre-filter, ensuring that larger dirt particles are preventing from entering the main filtration system.
The Ecco pro is easy to use and comes with the required filter baskets and filter media. In addition, it is self priming and has easy to use shut off taps.
EHEIM Ecco Pro External Canister Filter – 80 Gallon
A Little Bit Fishy Score: 4.5/5
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The Eheim ecco pro 300 is designed for aquarium between 160 and 300 liters in size. This is the equivalent to aquariums up to 80 gallons in size. It has a pump flow rate of 750 liters per hour.
Made in Germany, this canister filter is energy efficient, requiring just 8 Watts to operate – incredibly low for a filter of this size. It has a filter volume of 2.8 liters and a total volume of 5 liters and is suitable for both freshwater and saltwater aquariums.
Similar to the Pro 4+, the Eheim ecco pro 300 has a pre-filter, ensuring that larger dirt particles are preventing from entering the main filtration system.
The Ecco pro is easy to use and comes with the required filter baskets and filter media. In addition, it is self priming and has easy to use shut off taps.
EHEIM professionel 3 1200XLT
A Little Bit Fishy Score: 5/5
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The Eheim professionel 3 1200XLT is a thermofilter. It is designed for aquarium between 400 and 1,200 liters in size. This is the equivalent to aquariums up to around 317 gallons in size. It has a pump flow rate of 1,700 liters per hour.
Made in Germany, this canister filter has a filter volume of 12 liters and a total container volume of 25 liters and is suitable for freshwater aquariums only. It comes equipped with a fine filter pad, course filter pad and filtration baskets.
In addition to the high quality filtration, the canister filter is also equipped with heating functionality. This integrated heating system allows the water to be filtered and then heated to the desired temperature before being returned to the tank. It is possible to adjust the temperature range from 18-34 °C / 65-93 °F.
Similar to other models discussed previous, the Eheim professionel 3 1200XLT has a pre-filter, ensuring that larger dirt particles are preventing from entering the main filtration system.
Filter Media and Replacement Parts
In addition to the canister filters themselves, Eheim also offer a range of replacement filter pads / filter pad sets. Below we have set out some of the more common replacement filter options.
Eheim 6685 Filter Pad Set for The Pro 4+ Canister Filter
A Little Bit Fishy Score: 4/5
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Eheim Filter Pad Set for the Professional 4+ model. Contains 1 blue and 4 white filter pads.
EHEIM Fine White Filter Pad for Classic External Filter
A Little Bit Fishy Score: 4/5
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This package contains three replacement fine white filter pads for the Eheim Classic 350 canister filter.
EHEIM Coarse Blue Filter Pad for Classic External Filter
A Little Bit Fishy Score: 4/5
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This package contains two replacement coarse blue filter pads for the Eheim Classic 600 canister filter.
Eheim Prefilter Fine Pad Pro 3
A Little Bit Fishy Score: 4/5
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Eheim Prefilter Fine Pad Pro 3 is designed for both the Eheim Professional 3 and Professional 3e canister filter. The filters are 1 square inch in size. 1 blue and 4 white filter pads are included.
Conclusion
Made in Germany, Eheim canister filters are of the highest quality. Over the years they have developed a reputation for producing aquarium equipment of the highest quality. This includes the Eheim Canister Filter range. If there is a Eheim Canister Filter than is suitable for your aquarium (and fits into your budget) then it is well worth considering!
If Eheim isn’t for you, then it is worth taking a look at some of the other high quality canister filters available on the market today.
Either way, we hope you find the right filter for your aquarium!