Canister Vs. Overflow

[ES1988]

I was wondering: which type of filter is better?? A powered canister filter or a hang-on-the-back overflow filter???

 

[Revision17]

A canister isn't really equivlent to an HOB overflow. Do you mean an overflow with a sump?

A sump will give you lots more flexibility, whereas a canister would be an easier, lower maintenance solution.

Is this for a freshwater or saltwater tank? What's in it? What size? Etc..

 

[Rooster]

Canister KILLS the HOB filter... its all about surface area of media, and the canister has LOTS more media !

 

[Revision17]

Well he said HOB overflow, not HOB filter, so I assume he was talking about the device you use as an overflow to attach tanks which aren't already drilled with overflows to a sump.

If this is the case, even with freshwater (maybe he's got a messy predator tank?), he could throw in a wet/dry section and kill the canister in terms of biological filtration. And after that he could put a filter floss section. Thus easily out preforming a canister in everything except ease of use/assembly.

Of course, you're right and he probably meant an HOB power filter and not an HOB overflow attached to a sump.

 

[Rooster]

Well, lets wait and see !!!! All this jargon can be confusing to new comers, lets hope he returns !

 

[andywg]

If this is the case, even with freshwater (maybe he's got a messy predator tank?), he could throw in a wet/dry section and kill the canister in terms of biological filtration.

And make having a planted tank somewhat difficult due to gassing off any CO2 added.

And after that he could put a filter floss section. Thus easily out preforming a canister in everything except ease of use/assembly.

Why on earth would you put filter floss after a trickle tower? Doing that just turns the trickle tower media into mechanical and biological media causing it to clog up quicker and stop functioning as well as bacterial media. You always place sponges or filter floss above the drip tray in a wet/dry tower to ensure that as little gunk as possible gets into the main media chamber, allowing literally years (I have recently gone past the 2 year mark) between doing any maintenance on the bacterial media.