Canister or HOB?

[Dorkhedeos]

should i get a canister filter, or a hob? whare are the advantages of each of these filters?

 

[nc_nutcase]

I have a 55 US Gal that I tried putting a 350 GPH (Magnum 350) canister filter on and although the water was instantly clear, there was too much agitation in the water. I then put a 330 GPH (Penguin 330) on it and it is clean, clear and has a steady gentle flow to the water.

My personal thought is 55 and less I would go with the Hanging Over Flow style and anything 75 and up I would go with canisters. (if you gave me a 65 Gal tank I'd just be confused)

The way I understand filters, canisters are more effective, but the hanging style are easier and often more than good enough. It’s a personal decision at where you want to draw the line that makes it worth the extra effort and money.

 

[Dorkhedeos]

thing is, im only guessing its a 50 gallon.


Edit: just did the maths, its a 55 gallon, darn, 10 gallons away from confusing you

 

[nc_nutcase]

So according to my 'scale', I would think a 330'ish GPH Hanging Over Flow filter would be efficient. They are cheaper to buy, and easier to maintain. But, if you want ultra filtration, you have the option of investing in the smaller canister filter (200 gph maybe?).

 

[SirMinion]

Canister

• More discreet
• more effective
• easier to access to maintain.

If the flow is too stong simply put a log or rock in frot of it to deflect the flow, but many of the fish we keep are river fish and like a current anyway.

 

[G_Sharky]

I'd get both...that way you can have efficient bio filtration with the canister and a good mechanical filtration with the HOB....This would be the best way to go if your going to overstocked or if your settion it up as an african cichlid tank...JMO...

 

[Dorkhedeos]

1-2 senegal bichirs
1-2 freshwater barracudas if i can find some
2-6 angels
7 congo tetras

those were my plans, was planning to take out the angels and congos if a get a fw barracuda, but im probably not going to get them cause i cant find them anywhere, and i dont want to spend more than 15 dollars on one fish

Edit: the only thing i am worried about is crap gathering up in the corners and edges

 

[Blue Lobster]

I will say that a HOB Aquaclear 500 will do the trick. It's rated up to 110 gallon tank size. I have used one for years and it's dead simple to use and maintain.

Angelfish hate current, so keep the tank topped off with an aquaclear and there is very little water movement.

 

[vantgE]

I completely agree with nc nutcase in which anything below 55 is not worth a canister.

Canister pros:
Low flow rate/current
More efficient
Less maintenance
Better placement more aisthetic
Quieter
More media
More media options
Cons:
Complicated maintenance
Low flow rate/current
Expensive

HOB Pros:
High flow rate/current
Bargain price
Easy maintenance
Simple to use
Cons:
High flow rate/current
In the way ugly
Noisy

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Dorkhedeos

I've always used the HOB type filter and been more than happy with their performance. I've recently upgraded from the AquaClear 300 to the AquaClear 500 on my 55 gallon tank.

The AC500 is a huge filter with enough room in the chamber to add an extra sponge or lots of filter floss, which can enhance the biological filtration significantly. They are inexpensive too, compared to many others.

This is the best deal I've found on them:

http/www.petsmart.com/global/product_det...D=1112973157011

If the cost of maintaining a filter will be a factor in your decision, remember that once you set up an AC, the sponge will work efficiently (with just rinses in tank water) for a long time and so will the filter floss, if you add it. Other kinds of HOBs, that use cartridges, tend to get expensive over time since the replacement media needs to be changed frequently.

 

[swampcat]

An AC-500 will due the trick. An aquaclear filter can be used with all the media types used in a canister easy to clean and care for. They are now the AC-110 look at www.petsmart.com cost $38 plus shipping @ $6. Go for $75-$80 at your local fish store

 

[Dorkhedeos]

thanks for the help, i think im going to go with an ac 500. is there anyway i can make sure stuff doesnt gather on the bottom of my tank?

 

[Dorkhedeos]

just got a list of what im going to get or make for it

AC 500
25 pound bag of mesh sand
UGJ
powerhead
CO2 system


what do you guys think of this? can you suggest a cheap durable powerhead? how many gph should it be? is 25 pounds of sand good enough? thanks in advance

 

[Tolak]

I've been happy with the aqua-clear powerheads. Big Al's has them pretty cheap. I use them to build home made filters, never had a problem with them, they're just like their filters, reliable. I'm guessing you want the power head for the co2 system. Never used co2, maybe someday I'll do a planted tank.

As far as stuff on the bottom, you can extend the intake of the filter lower, I use tubing from the hardware store. Another trick I tried with good success is putting a powerhead on the bottom of the tank with a 1 liter bottle full of filter foam on the intake. Kind of a poor (cheap) man's under gravel jet deal.

Tolak

 

[Dorkhedeos]

wow, never thought of using it for the co2, i was planning to put the out tube under the intake tube of the filter. i just had an idea, i could attach the co2 tube to the beginning of the ugj. this will make the powerhead be more efficient. do you think the co2 will disolve before it gets out of the ugj?

edit: aciddently put ugf