First Canister Filter

[LetsBeFriends]

I have a 75USgal tank with a pretty light fish load in it, and i have been lookin around for a canister filter because i have two external filters atm that use two different types of media and the cost is starting to get to me. together the two filters have about the power to handle 120gals(ill be losing a little filtration once i go to the canister). iv been looking at the marineland 360, whiched looked like a good buy but then one guy said it was more than a pain to change the media, the eheim pro2 2026, and the fluva 405. any suggestions on which one to get as well as any tips is very appreciated

 

[lyotim88]

from those listed i would say absolutely the eheim, especially the pro. I heard marineland makes garbage canister filters btw

 

[bitteraspects]

Or you could get rid of the 2 you have and get AquaClear110. Cost less then a comparable canister, same or more media volume, much higher flowrate, and it will keep yor tank crystal clear.
Oh and it doesn't use cartridges like those other crappy HOB filters, so the filter will pretty much pay itself off with that cost out of the picture.
And it wlll potentially outlast a lot of canisters. Longest I've had one running is 8 yeats and going strong, but I know someone who has been running one for around 20 years.

 

[lyotim88]

i would absolutey reccommend an aquaclear as well. i currently own three different models and love them all. Very simple design, easy to maintain and repair and very quiet with great flow, what more can you really ask for? But if you've got your heart set on a canister, i still say the eheim.

 

[barnsleylad]

well i use an aquapro canister filter on my oscar tank which is pretty good tbh and cost like £30 but i am upgrading tank size and i am either going for this
Ebay link removed which i think is awasome value for money

or a fluval FX5 Fx5 is supposed to be very good any help on this greatly appreciated also which eheim is best and does any of them have UV

 

[mychilly]

I also have a 75 Gal tank and I use the Fluval 305 and my tank is always crystal clear. Great filter!

 

[bitteraspects]

well i use an aquapro canister filter on my oscar tank which is pretty good tbh and cost like £30 but i am upgrading tank size and i am either going for this
Ebay link removed which i think is awasome value for money

or a fluval FX5 Fx5 is supposed to be very good any help on this greatly appreciated also which eheim is best and does any of them have UV

The Fx5 is the best on the market for large tanks IMHO. I have a few of them, and they're awesome.
As far as eheim cans go, you can't go wrong with ehem classics. Also the 2227/2229 w/d canisters are great for bio filtration.

Its best to go with a stand alone UV rather then one built into a canister. I suggest a turbotwist, or alternatively, an aquastep (sp?). You was as low of a flow rate through the UV as possible, to maximize efficiency.

 

[LetsBeFriends]

the aqua clear 110 deff looks like a good decision, a few questions about it for the people who own one.

-about how often to u change various medias

-what kind of media does it use

-about how much does each media cost

-is it as efficient as a canister filter

-any other advice

thanks for your help

 

[snowflake311]

the aqua clear 110 deff looks like a good decision, a few questions about it for the people who own one.

-about how often to u change various medias

-what kind of media does it use

-about how much does each media cost

-is it as efficient as a canister filter

-any other advice

thanks for your help

I have an aqua clear in my 36 Gal tank. It is great but for my 55 Gal tank I am going with the Eheim classic It has great reviews. I was going to go with another AquaClear but wanted to switch it up to a canister.

Any-ways The only thing you need to replace in the charcoal bag if you want to use it. The sponges need to be squeezed out every 6 months or when ever you notice the water is not flowing out right. You just take the sponge out squeeze it in aquarium water and put it back. The bio rocks are cool and same thing just rinse in aquarium water. Some times taking it all down and rinsing the box and tube out is a good Idea too. I will even take the magnet out and clean the goop with a Qtip.

They are cheap easy and work well. But the canister still has much more surface area for your bacteria to grow. But if you are going with the power filter Aquaclear is the only way to go.

Here are the prices
http/www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod...amp;pcatid=3935

 

[bitteraspects]

-about how often to u change various medias

The mech filter may need to be changed once every 5 years. I changed mine once in 8 years.
The bio media you change as needed. Maybe never

-what kind of media does it use

Its fully customizeable. The limit is your imagination. It comes with a sponge for mechanical filtration, bio max pellets for bio filtration (very porous, mote surface area then most media), and a bag of activated catbon for chemical filtration (I don't use it personally)
But you van also use ceramic rings, bio balls, scrubbies, filter floss, poly fill, ect. Skys the limit.

-about how much does each media cost

It comes with everything you need in the box. Additional media prices will vary depending on your LFS. (See options above)

-is it as efficient as a canister filter

Absolutely. In fact, because of the design and the flow rate (much higher then most canisters), it can potentially provide much better mechanical filtration. However some of the high end canisters have advancements that make the biological filtration better.
This is a pretty simple system, but when compared to a basic canister like the eheim classics, they match up. In fact, I think it may havemore media volume. (My AC110 holds all the media from my eheim 2227 canister)

-any other advice

See my diy plumbing thread. Under $5 and a few minutes of your time, can make this great filter EVEN BETTER.

That's all I can think of off hand. If you have any more questions, feel free to send me a PM