Aquarium Filters · owner-verdict comparison

Eheim Classic 2217 vs Fluval 407 Canister Filter: what real owners say

Real owners rate these about evenly: 82% of 80 Eheim Classic 2217 owners recommend it, vs 86% of 65 for the Fluval 407 Canister Filter.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Eheim Classic 2217

82%of 80 owners recommend
82% recommend · 3% neutral · 15% don't
Owners praise
  • Lasts for years to decades / built to last
  • Easy maintenance, backwashes into a bucket
  • Excellent biological / over-filtration
Owners complain about
  • Media isn't in easy lift-out baskets
  • Flow leaves dead spots, may need a powerhead
Full owner report →

Fluval 407 Canister Filter

86%of 65 owners recommend
86% recommend · 5% neutral · 9% don't
Owners praise
  • Runs whisper-quiet, often inaudible unless you touch it
  • Tons of media space and fully customizable filtration
  • Strong flow keeps water crystal clear
Owners complain about
  • Expensive unless bought on sale
Full owner report →

What Eheim Classic 2217 owners say

“loving the canister. very quiet”
— @T_Quik on YouTube
“If I had to choose again I'd probably buy two Eheim. Though the Fluval is a bit easier to maintain and it does suck up fish waste better, the noisy impeller and crappy build quality of it has kind of turned me off it.”
— Mun-Mun on Reddit
“My life would be easier and my tanks would look better if I had only bought Fluvals!”
— @shavinmccrotch9435 on YouTube

What Fluval 407 Canister Filter owners say

“Best filter i have had”
— @glennryan6655 on YouTube
“Works great”
— @terjehimle3107 on YouTube
“i have a 407, it can be a pain in my ass. cleaning it is such a hassle lol, but i have found everything has to be set PERFECTLY in it or it wont run at 100%”
— pxyton- on Reddit