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Eheim Classic 2213 Review 2024 – Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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By Lindsey Stanton

Eheim Classic Filtration System

Canister filters are without a doubt one of the best filtration systems for aquariums far and wide. They tend to be fairly easy to get the hang of, they don’t take up space inside of the aquarium, and they are usually able to handle a whole lot of water too. The problem is finding a model that can do all of these things effectively, plus more.

Well, one of the popular options is the Eheim Classic 250. It is not the biggest or fanciest of all canister filters, but it does its job as described without a problem. In this Eheim 2213 review, we are going to take a detailed look at the features, pros, and cons to help you make an informed decision on whether it’s the right option for you.

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Eheim 2213 Review

The Eheim 2213 is a nice option to go with for any smaller and medium-sized aquarium. It may not be the fanciest of filters, but it performs well and can process quite a bit of water per hour.

It may not come with too many bells and whistles, but it does its job just fine. Let’s get on with it and talk about all of the features and benefits that the Eheim Classic 2213 Canister brings to your table.

No Noise

One of the things that many people like about the Eheim 2213 is that it is very quiet. A loud aquarium filter is not ideal. Neither you nor your fish wants to hear the motor, the pump, or splashing, something that tends to be a problem with all too many filters out there.

However, this filter is specially designed to be as quiet as possible. People have noted that this is virtually silent in every respect, thus helping to add to the relaxing atmosphere that an aquarium is supposed to provide you with.

You might even think that the filter is not running because it is so quiet, but that is nothing but a big bonus in our eyes.

Capacity

Another thing that you might like about this particular filter is that it has a fairly high capacity. This particular canister filter can process a whopping 250 gallons of water per hour, which is fairly impressive considering its fairly compact and simplistic design.

The Eheim Classic 2213 is rated for aquariums up to 66 gallons, which means that it can effectively filter the water in a 66-gallon aquarium four times over per hour, thus resulting in crystal clear and clean water (if you need to test water quality, then check out this article). Now, some people have noted that the filter is better suited for slightly smaller aquariums, up to 40 or 50 gallons, but this does depend on the bioload of your specific aquarium.

If you don’t have too many plants or fish, the Eheim 2213 filter can easily handle a 66-gallon aquarium.

3 Stage Filtration

Just like any good aquarium filter is supposed to do, this filter engages in all 3 major types of filtration. Some people don’t like canister filters because setting up the media on the interior can be a bit of a challenge.

However, this thing comes with really clear instructions and easy-to-operate media baskets, which make setting up the filtration itself a breeze. It comes with mechanical, biological, and chemical filtration.

The Eheim filter works to remove solid debris, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, other toxins, colors, and odors from the water with great effectiveness. The baskets are set up so they can be easily stacked with your desired filter media. You do have the option to mix things up a bit and add other media into the canister (if you need more help with filter media then this article has lots of answers and helpful tips).

kid boy is watching fish tank in his room
Image credit: Jovan Barajevac, Shutterstock

Durable Build

Something that many people have noted about this thing is that it has a very durable build. All of the parts and components, especially the outer shell, are built to be as durable as humanly possible. The internal components are built with high-quality parts to ensure that it lasts for a long time.

On that same note, the shell is more than strong enough to withstand some impact and to stay in one piece, thus eliminating any leaks that might occur, such as with other filters. Also, the filter is built to be stable to ensure that it does not tip over and leak while it is in use.

The lid is also very secure to ensure that leaks do not occur. That being said, the lid is also fairly easy to remove, thus making maintenance and media replacement about as easy as it gets.

Fairly Space Efficient

Yet another thing that we like about the Eheim 2213 Canister is that it is fairly efficient in terms of space used. This is a canister filter, which means that it does not take up any space inside the aquarium.

Except for the intake and outtake tubes, the majority of the Eheim filter is located on the outside of the aquarium. This is great because it helps to save space for your fish and plants. At the same time, the filter itself is not too large; therefore, you don’t need too much shelf space to house it.

Easy Setup

The next thing that stands out is that it is fairly easy to set up. All you need to do is add the media into the baskets, place the baskets in the filter, set up the tubing, and you are good to go.

We like how there are good instructions included with the Eheim 2213 to guide you in a step-by-step manner. The only downside is that there is no priming feature at all, so you need to create a siphon or suction of some sort to initially get water into the filter.

Pros
  • Very quiet
  • Great for smaller and medium-sized aquariums
  • Fairly easy to set up
  • Efficient 3-stage filtration
  • Can process up to 250 gallons per hour
  • Does not take up too much space
  • Durable and stable build; high quality
Cons
  • No priming feature
  • Purging air is a challenge
large fish tank with plants and filter
Image Credit: M-Production, Shutterstock

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Conclusion

When it comes to this Eheim Classic 2213 review, we hope that we were able to help you get closer to a purchasing decision. The Eheim 2213 is one of the better, higher quality, and more efficient models, in our opinion. It is not the fanciest in the world, but when it comes to cleaning aquarium water, it does that job with ease. 

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