Canister Filter

[Mtvrdik10]

Hey guys I was just trying to get some opinions on filteres. I have had both penguin biofilters and underground filters.

I found that underground filters were TERRIBLE. In my opinion I just don't even understand why they were ever created I cannot stand them..maybe other people have had better luck with them...I just know I've had no luck with them and you couldn't pay me to go back to one.

On the other hand I've really enjoyed my penguin biofilters. I wouldn't say that they're perfect, but they've been more than serviceable for myself.

However, I have heard that Canister Filters are the way to go. THey are awfully expensive when i've gone and looked at them though. It looks like Fluval is the way to go from what i've seen and read. I would just be buying ONE for a 55 gallon aquarium..and from just short research i'd be looking anywhere from $150-220 for something that would be suitable for that size tank.

I come to you guys before making the purchase because I know you guys know your thing and would definitely like to get your opinion before going out and making that kind of purchase.

In conclusion, I was actually just wondering if anyone can give me the pro's and con's of these filters and if any of you personally use them and would suggest them over other types of filters??? Thanks alot guys!

 

[OldMan47]

You are correct that the canister type filters are quite expensive compared to a hang on back filter that would serve the same size tank. I find that I greatly prefer them for a few reasons including the noise issue. A properly functioning canister is virtually silent even as the water level in a tank varies, it only requires servicing at long intervals and it can be used with a sand substrate without any special precautions. It also removes all hardware from view except the hoses needed to connect it to the tank and the return flow can be directed in any direction desired in the tank. A HOB filter drops all of the water wherever the filter is located, is noisy unless the tank is maintained quite full , has no choices that you can make about return flows, needs frequent cleaning and can only be used with sand without harm if you maintain a large distance between the sand and the filter inlet. I have spent the extra money on several of my tanks although there are some where I run sponge filters for fry and HOB filters because the tanks are too small to warrant a canister.

 

[waterdrop]

Hi there, You can perform a search on "best external cannister" or "best cannister filter" or similar strings and probably find dozens of threads where we've given extensive comments on filters. Fluval has a reputation for the best internal filters in the opinion of many members but often seems to end up fourth or so when compared to the other 3 main contenders for top external cannister filters (Eheim, Rena, Tetratec/Marineland are the other three.)

A pair of large Aquaclear HOB filters are also often used on a 55g but in my opinion a good external cannister would probably give you better water circulation and less noise.

I seem oldman47 is taking a look at your thread and may have some comments too!

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Mtvrdik10]

I'm convinced enough that I'll most certainly buy one. Is it easy to set up? I mean i'm sure it wouldn't be too complicated since i've been into the hobby for nearly a dozen years now...but i've never even seen a canister filter run before Sorry i'm a little behind the times apparently haha

I also just found this on the WEB....how does this look? One of the better one's you guys were talking about? It's a little bit cheaper than the Fluval for sure...at if it's better at half the price...thats a definite buy I would think...What do you guys think???

http/www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3579+3595&pcatid=3595

 

[OldMan47]

I am going to step up and say that a Magnum is not a canister filter, it is a simple cartridge filter placed into a canister filter body. Cartridges are the main shortcoming of a HOB filter in that they do not provide any real choice of filter media. Please look at the Marineland C series of filters instead if you are considering a Marineland brand filter. The Eheim also have good reputations and I have good experience with the Rena Filstar XP series of filters. If you follow the instructions that come with the Rena filters, and ask questions here whenever their instructions are not clear, they are easy to set up and use. I must infer that the Eheim filters are equally as easy to set up although I have no experience with them. I do have a Marineland HOT Magnum and found it easy to set up but not as useful as a real canister. My Marineland C series filter is a good one to use although it takes slightly more effort to set up and clean than my Rena filters do.

 

[waterdrop]

Totally agree with OM47: I wouldn't get into the magnum thing, they are a very odd filter and not really the same thing as the normal external cannisters. I ran across a good writeup about one a while back and the person used it in their fish room as device to run on a tank for an hour or so and then move on to the next tank. The person had a whole stack of cartridges and had to replace them frequently. Its really kind of a "mechanical only" filter and not really suited for biological or chemical filtration on an ongoing basis in a tank, at least ideally.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[raptorrex]

I, too, would not consider the Magnum a cannister.

as for searching the forum. try to put in the filter model/numbers. or, simply, "cannister". I just did a forum search, using "best External cannister". this was the only thread it came up with!

 

[rdp50734]

you can pick up cannisters for quite cheap if you use fleabay or something similar! I got a rena xp2 for £27 delivered! That included pipework media plus spares! Just make sure you give it a good clean!

 

[Mtvrdik10]

Cool thanks guys. Now I know why this little magnum thing was so cheap. Thanks for your help!

 

[drobbyb]

I am going to step up and say that a Magnum is not a canister filter, it is a simple cartridge filter placed into a canister filter body.

This is true. I have a magnum canister filter that I converted into a biological filter with creative use of filter sponges and bio-chem stars. It works for me just fine.

That being said, I would upgrade to a better canister filter if I could seeing as the filter was not designed to run this way and it is by no means optimized to be operated in such a manner.

 

[angelsdelight]

personally ive always had fluval's in the past,easy to setup, spares cheap an easy to get hold of, an never had a problem or needed spares lol.
my latest tank is running a rena xp3 from ebay for £40 with loads of extras plus £7.50 P&P (courier of my choice)

id always go with an external filter as internals are an eye sore

have a look at fluvals, rena an eheim