Eheim Pick-up Filters Review

Several months ago I posted that I was planning to change most of my filters and asked for opinions. In the end, I went for the Eheim Pick-up types on the basis that they were from a reputable manufacturer and not too expensive. After several months of use, I can say that I am very happy with them. At present, six of my nine tanks have them. For the smaller tanks (60 – 90 litres) I use the 2010, for the larger (120 litres or so) the 2012. While slightly more expensive than the really cheap ones you can get, they are considerably cheaper than most well-known brands, the 2010 at £20.45 and the 2012 at £25.24 from Amazon.

These are essentially very simple filters, just one piece of sponge, but that is fine by me, I have never seen the need for complications with multiple chambers with different media etc., a decent flow rate which is maintained and a large enough piece of sponge are all that is required. In comparison to cheaper filters said to be of the same capacity, these have both a faster flow rate and a much larger piece of sponge. In addition, the flow rate is maintained even when the sponge is in need of cleaning, unlike others I have had which slow down to a trickle after a week or two.

One advantage these have is that the impeller is at the bottom, rather than the usual top. You can lift off the top cover and take out the sponge without taking the whole filter out. In addition, when doing a water change, you can leave the filter running. The flow rate can be changed and in fact at full flow they are really too much for the smaller size tank, the 2010 is said to be for 60 – 120 litres, the 2012 for 100 – 200 and I'd say they are easily up to that and more, again unlike the cheaper ones I've had. The direction of the output can be changed, but there is no provision for a spray bar, which in my opinion is not necessary.  They are quite large, much bigger than most of the cheap ones, with four big suckers for firm attachment.

I've wasted a fair bit of money over the years on cheap filters which have been inadequate, clogged rapidly, been difficult to maintain and stopped working after a few months, a false economy. These are much bigger and much more reliable while still being half the price of some other well-known brands. I can thoroughly recommend them and will convert the rest of my tanks to these over the next few weeks.

Very intersting to hear that the impeller is at the bottom and you can remove the sponge from the top. That sounds as if the whole filter maintenance thing could be a lot easier than with some of the internal filters I have.

Are they quiet, I'm just about to start my new set up

Thanks for input