A canister filter lives next to the tank for years. EHEIM sells the Classic range under two names. One is the series name (Classic 150, 250, 350, 600). The other is the four digit code printed on the box: 2211, 2213, 2215 and 2217. They are the same filters.
Key Takeaways
- 2211 is the Classic 150, 2213 the Classic 250, 2215 the Classic 350 and 2217 the Classic 600.
- Rated flow runs from 300 to 1000 litres an hour. Filter volume runs from 1 to 6 litres.
- Match the filter to the tank on flow. Rate the canister at 2.5 times the water volume or more.
The four models side by side
All figures below are EHEIM’s own, at 50 Hz.
| 2211 (Classic 150) | 2213 (Classic 250) | 2215 (Classic 350) | 2217 (Classic 600) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EHEIM tank range | 50 to 150 l | 80 to 250 l | 120 to 350 l | 180 to 600 l |
| Rated flow | 300 l/h | 440 l/h | 620 l/h | 1000 l/h |
| Power | 5 W | 8 W | 15 W | 20 W |
| Max head | 1.2 m | 1.5 m | 1.8 m | 2.3 m |
| Filter volume | 1 l | 3 l | 4 l | 6 l |
| Included media | Coarse pad, fine pad | Coarse pad, fine pad, EHEIM Bio Mech, EHEIM Substrat Pro | Coarse pad, fine pad, EHEIM Bio Mech, EHEIM Substrat Pro | Coarse pad, fine pad, activated carbon pad, EHEIM Bio Mech, EHEIM Substrat Pro |
| Canister diameter | 110 mm | 160 mm | 185 mm | 205 mm |
| Height | 290 mm | 355 mm | 370 mm | 400 mm |
| Tank at 2.5 times turnover | 120 l | 176 l | 248 l | 400 l |
Every model is rated for freshwater and sea water, carries EHEIM’s 2 year guarantee, and ships with spray bar, inlet pipe, hose and installation parts. Maximum installation height is 180 cm on all four.
How to read the table
EHEIM’s tank range is wide. The 2217 is listed for 180 to 600 litres, a spread of more than three times. Flow is the number to work from.
Customers mostly buy a canister rated at 1x or 1.5x their tank volume. I tell them a canister should be rated at 2.5 times the water volume at least. A 200 litre tank wants 500 litres an hour or more on the box. The last row of the table does that sum for each model: divide rated flow by 2.5.
Real flow drops once the canister is packed with media and the hoses have a few bends. A filter bought right at the line delivers less than its rating. One step up leaves headroom.
Better filtration means better biology, and that is why I push the 2.5 times rule. The filtration guide covers how the biology works, and the turnover guide shows the sizing sum for other tank volumes.
2211: Classic 150
The smallest of the four. EHEIM gives it a base for safe positioning. At 5 W it draws the least power. It is the only one of the four that comes with pads and no loose media. The 1 litre of filter volume is the limit. Past the 120 litre line in the table it is under-sized.
The EHEIM Classic 150 (2211) is listed by EHEIM for tanks of 50 to 150 litres.
2213: Classic 250
Its 3 litres of filter volume is three times the 2211’s, and it adds EHEIM Bio Mech and EHEIM Substrat Pro to the pads. By the 2.5 times sum it handles up to 176 litres.
Product page: EHEIM Classic 250 (2213). The impeller for the Classic 250 is sold separately if you ever need one.
2215: Classic 350
It has 4 litres of filter volume and 620 litres an hour for 15 W, with the same media as the 2213. For a 240 litre tank it passes the 2.5 times test. For a 300 litre tank it passes at roughly 2 times, which is the point where I would look at the 2217.
Next to the 2213, the EHEIM Classic 350 (2215) moves 180 litres an hour more and has 1 litre more filter volume.
2217: Classic 600
The largest of the four standard canisters, at 1000 litres an hour and 6 litres of filter volume. Pump head is 2.3 m, the highest of the four, which helps where the filter sits well below a tall tank. It is the only one that also comes with an activated carbon pad.
For the 2217, see the EHEIM Classic 600 (2217) and its impeller spare. Bigger than 600 is the Classic 1500XL, which has a drain tap and a pump unit that can run separately from the canister.
Media, pads and what goes inside
The table above lists what each model comes with. Pads and media wear out in time. For spares, two EHEIM media are sold here: EHEIM Bio Mech and EHEIM Substrat Pro. Use them as replacement media. Check the pack for what each one does before you decide the layer order.
Treat every fresh fill of tap water with a conditioner such as Seachem Prime. Clean the canister in tank water, never under the tap. The canister cleaning guide walks through it.
EHEIM or Fluval
On my own tank I use Eheim or Fluval. Eheim has been time tested for decades. Fluval updates its models every 4 to 5 years. The output is equal, so choose on budget. If you are looking at an older Fluval number, the Fluval 106, 206 and 306 guide covers what replaced them.
Go slow with anything new, whichever brand it is. Run a new canister alongside the old filter for a while before the old one comes out.
Frequently asked questions
Is the EHEIM 2217 the same as the Classic 600?
Yes. 2217 is the article number of the Classic 600. The same pattern holds for 2215 (Classic 350), 2213 (Classic 250) and 2211 (Classic 150).
Which EHEIM Classic suits a 200 litre tank?
The 2215. Its 620 litres an hour is just over 3 times the volume. The 2213 gives 2.2 times, below the 2.5 line.
Can an EHEIM Classic be used on a marine tank?
EHEIM lists all four for freshwater and sea water. The filter range guide shows where the Classic sits against the rest of the range.
What is the difference between the Classic and the professionel?
The professionel is a separate EHEIM canister line. The Classic vs professionel comparison sets them out model by model.
How do I choose between a canister and other filter types?
The canister filter buying guide covers when a canister is the right type and when a hang-on or internal filter does the job.
