Which filter is better ?

[Fishfunn]

I like the idea of running a large HOB filter along with a large canister filter like a Fluval for a large tank.

 

[Tyler777]

I like the idea of running a large HOB filter along with a large canister filter like a Fluval for a large tank.

Thank you

 

[TwoTankAmin]

As far as I know there is no single hang on, aka power filter big enough for a 125. I had mine running 3 5x5x5 Poret cubefilters and a 5x5x10 tower filter also Poret. I used the 20 ppi foam for them all and powered them with a single air pump which also ran another 3 cubefilters (2 4x4x4 and a 5x5x5 on the 40L under the 125.

My 150 uses an Eheim Pro II 2026, an AquaClear 110 (500 gph) and a H.O.T Magnum (250 gph) with the micron cartridge.

I have a 75 with an AC 70. But I had to cut a notch in the frame in order to make the filter fit. The Eheim 2026 on the tank was the last of 3 I put into service, By then I had begun using the Poret foam. I consulted with Dr. Tanner who sells the foam about using it n the canister, I ended up using only 29 pppi foam in both baskets.

With my other two 2026s I clean them twice a year only- December and June. When I asked Dr. Tanner when I should clean the one using all Poret foam. His answer was when I noticed the output flow had slowed. Over about 3.5 -4 years later I did my first cleaning. I have not done the second one yet. I have only ever cleaned one of my Mattenfilters and I have had them anywhere from 4-5 years to over 10. I have to admit that on the canister filled with all Poret that I also have an AC 70 of the tank which gets cleaned weekly. The tank is also very heavily planted.

I tend to rinse the cubefilter once every 3 -4 weeks and sometimes longer,

So, The idea that canisters are more work to maintain than other filters which must be cleaned way more often is not the case for me. Once I became familiar with the filter and the cleaning of it, I do it in about 30 to 40 minutes. I spend about 10 minutes on a hang-on filter every week, I may miss a couple of weeks a year because I am away from home. So it is 10 minutes a week 50 times a year and that is 500 minutes/year v.s 60 to 80 minutes/year for a canister.

I also put decent size prefilters on poweer heads and I also clean those every week along with the pre-filters on all my hang0ons and canisters. I use the ATI prefilters on canisters, powerheads and my AC 110 for the rest I make my own pre-filter which slips over the intake tube.. All prefilters are rinsed weekly which is about 5 minutes total.

 

[14efish]

I run a 3 tier cascade in my 55 gallon and never had any problems with it.