Please Help Me Choose A Canister Filter!

[FishFanatic04]

I looked at the marinland canisters when choosing a filter but no one mentioned anything about them at that time.

Filters are hardware....

 

[Ruskull]

XP2-$119

Bought both of mine here.

I edited my original post to reflect the new lower price, thanks!

 

[FishFanatic04]

I was teasing about the appearance. You click on "my content" and they will all pop up.

 

[Ruskull]

I was teasing about the appearance. You click on "my content" and they will all pop up.

Yeah I know how to click on "my content" but I'd prefer to browse the "Your New Freshwater Tank" and the "Tropical Discussion" sections and when I really get bored I cruise over to the Gourami, Tetra & Catfish sections.

So anyways, you like the Rena because you have at least 2 of them, in different sizes. The XP2 & The XP3 if I'm not mistaken? Do they leak at all? How long does it take for a good cleaning like monthly? It is an ugly looking filter though, we can agree on that right? The Eheim looks like a little kid's toy but the Marineland/TetraTec looks like it can fly..............

The accessory kit that comes with the Rena is intimidating too, it's like all the plumbing is in pieces.

 

[FishFanatic04]

Yikes. I wish tone can transfer in typing. I figured you knew hoe to click that. I'm too sarcastic today. Sorry.


The pieces are really easy to put together with the exception of the tubing. Have to warm the tips with hot water so they soften and slide on the parts easy. Cleaning is veryyyy easy, lift one part and you can remove the filter lid, clean all the baskets, impeller, etc. Then replace lid, lower the one part, and turn it on, no need to re-prim because the tubing stays full of water while the maintenance is done. It's really fast.


I do wish the tubing was easier to manage, I need to clean mine and it will be difficult, since it is hard to remove them. I did make something out of a wire coat hanger and a lump of filter floss to push through, it worked but my tube is too long.

It looks like the marineland filter is easier in regards to the tubing. Just because I have the Rena's doesn't mean they are the only good ones. I would give the Marineland a test run to compare...if I had another big tank needed a filter.

 

[tmiller]

I was talked out of the ecco in favor of a classic for various reasons, I'm too new to give advise just yet though.

It is interesting that the marineland seem to be the same as the tetratech... i was originaly looking at marineland

 

[Ruskull]

Yikes. I wish tone can transfer in typing. I figured you knew hoe to click that. I'm too sarcastic today. Sorry.


The pieces are really easy to put together with the exception of the tubing. Have to warm the tips with hot water so they soften and slide on the parts easy. Cleaning is veryyyy easy, lift one part and you can remove the filter lid, clean all the baskets, impeller, etc. Then replace lid, lower the one part, and turn it on, no need to re-prim because the tubing stays full of water while the maintenance is done. It's really fast.


I do wish the tubing was easier to manage, I need to clean mine and it will be difficult, since it is hard to remove them. I did make something out of a wire coat hanger and a lump of filter floss to push through, it worked but my tube is too long.

It looks like the marineland filter is easier in regards to the tubing. Just because I have the Rena's doesn't mean they are the only good ones. I would give the Marineland a test run to compare...if I had another big tank needed a filter.

To be honest I was originally looking at the Marineland because it looks very solid, the baskets look big & easy to manage & the reputation of the Tetratec is very good on this site & others. BUT, everybody knows that Eheim is top notch, like the Porsche of filters while the Fluval comes highly recommended by my older brother. I believe he had the 405 on a large cichlid tank back in the day. The Rena has good numbers too now that you gave me that link. Before that it was almost off the list for price even though it had good flowrate & recommended tank size.

So basically I'm back where I started, which is why I need to hear more input.

I was talked out of the ecco in favor of a classic for various reasons, I'm too new to give advise just yet though.

It is interesting that the marineland seem to be the same as the tetratech... i was originaly looking at marineland

I know, when Manofish told me they were the same I was like practically sold right there.

 

[OldMan47]

I use both the Rena XP series and the Marineland C series filters. I like the XPs better because I find them much easier to clean and reassemble. I have also never had one leak and my oldest is now about 10 years old.

 

[Ruskull]

Thanks Oldman47...........but then why didn't you vote?

EDIT: Thanks!

 

[OldMan47]

Actually I voted for the XP2.

 

[Ruskull]

Actually I voted for the XP2.

I figured you did.

Looks like the Rena & the Eheim are running neck & neck

If Manofish knew where this thread was he'd vote for the Marineland...........and my brother would probably vote for the Fluval.

So the 220 is prone to leaks? It looks so solid with those strap down clamp things. Much moreso than the Rena's skinny clamps. I'm not even sure what locks the lid down on the Eheim.

 

[OldMan47]

My C series is no better strapped closed than my Rena XP series, it is just harder to get in and out of it. On the XP you simply lift the lever where the hoses attach and lift the whole thing out of the way. On the C series you need to lift the center lever and then turn it to get things shut off properly. I always seem to try turning the wrong direction first. On the Rena you have a clamp on each corner while on the C series you have some rather substantial clamps on each of 2 sides. The clamping power of each arrangement is about the same. On the Rena, when you are done you just attach the hoses and open the valve on the hose connection. It refills itself in about 30 seconds. On the C series you get to attach the hoses, guess again which way to turn that darned shutoff, then use the priming pump to get the canister refill started. Once full, either one can just be plugged in to start it.

 

[FishFanatic04]

Explained much better. "lever" was the word I needed. After having to open my filter once a week to carbon and change meds....i'm glad it is so easy.

Oldman47...how do you clean the tubing? I had bad diatoms and I want to clean them really well.



Another good thought...the support line was fantastic. I had a part that bent a little {my fault} I called the number, and with no questions asked they sent me a replacement at no cost.

 

[OldMan47]

Cleaning tubing can be a bit of a chore but a nice bottle brush with the right diameter brush part and a long handle works fairly well. The problem with cleaning tubes is to get a good access to the tube ends. If you cut it off the tubing will end up the wrong length and length does matter. If you can't find a bottle brush the right length, check out a shotgun barrel cleaning kit. They have nice long handles to get a cleaning patch through a barrel and the problem they face is about the same, a long tube with a large diameter that is dirty on the inside. An old trick I learned cleaning gun barrels was to fashion a cord with a weight on one end and a cleaning patch on the other end. You drop the weight through and then pull the cleaning patch behind it. After 2 or 3 patches the barrel, or tubing, is pretty darned clean.

 

[FishFanatic04]

Ooooo. Thank you. I can attach a bottle brush to my wire hanger. I only needed a foot extra length. Cutting the tubing would not be a good thing as you said. I also would not remove the tubing from the filter, it would be stretched and I would worry about leaking. Just needed a good creative boost. Thanks again