Canister Filters

[TehTANK]

Alright, I would like to know what everyone here thinks about Canister Filters. Good, bad and ugly. I am thinking of getting one with my tax returns for my 90 Gallon tank that houses 2 oscars with fake plants and a large chunk of driftwood. What is a good brand? What is not? WHY do you think so. I would really appreciate everyone's help here. I am currently running 2 Aqua Clear hang on filters. One is 110 and the other is a 60 Gallon. Please..I really want to know what people think before I go out and spend a bunch of money on a filter without knowing about it. I have seen a lot of mixed reviews on the web. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP GUYS!

[*Sarah*]

Well we have a Fluval 304 (I think that's what it is..) and we have it for our 40gal tank. It's VERY quiet. I have to look at the top of the water to make sure it's actually running. It's easy to change the filter media, and I love that it's under the tank as opposed to a HOB, it makes the tank more attractive, I think, because it doesn't have to sit so far away from the wall. The one PITA with the Fluval is it's a real PITA to prime. U have to pump the thing for a long time to get all the air out of the tubes, and it's really annoying. However, u don't have to prime it often at all, so it's not that big of a deal. Pretty much the only time u have to prime it is when you have to change filter media or clean the filters (once every couple of months).

[KneeKickLou]

After doing a lot a reseach myself online about canisters I went the Eheim. From what I've read they are the best you can buy. They are a little more expensive but I got the Classic series and they were very resonable. I got mine online at petblvd.com. I have 2 2213's running on my 75 gallon which is still currently cycling but they are almost completely silent. I haven't yet had to clean them so no info there but from the way the filter basket is setup it dosnt look like it will be that hard. As for priming its a breeze they have 2 quick connect valves for the input and return tubes all you have to do is suck on the return tube a little then the water will come rushing into the filter close the valve reconnect and your all set. I know a lot of people would rather have a pump but hey you might be pumping for a while like Sarahmom. Hope this info help and good luck with whatever you get.

[sergo]

i too am extremely interested in this as i plan on buying one soon. i seem to be leaning towards the the fluval (305) because it has an adjustable output. please keep posting your experiences.

[f1oored]

I will top off the big three with my Rena xp3. I love it. It is quiet, pushes a lot of water, has a huge space for media, and is a breeze to prime (no using your mouth and no pumping). It is easy to clean and a great filter imho. I also have a fluval 204 which is a pain to prime but does a good job too. I don't think you can go wrong with any of these brands. All of them are going to be light years ahead of a HOB.

[hungryhound]

All of them are going to be light years ahead of a HOB.

I have a question about this. I heard with a hOB you want it to run atleast 6 to 8 times as many gph as your total tank volume. Is this not true with a canister.

Will a canister working at say 164 gph do a better job than a HOB cleaning 350 gph?

Is there a different rule of thumb on the gph a filter needs to push if it is a canister vs a HOB.

Thanks?

[KneeKickLou]

I have a question about this. I heard with a hOB you want it to run atleast 6 to 8 times as many gph as your total tank volume. Is this not true with a canister.

Will a canister working at say 164 gph do a better job than a HOB cleaning 350 gph?

Is there a different rule of thumb on the gph a filter needs to push if it is a canister vs a HOB.

Thanks?

Dont quote me on this but I am pretty sure canisters can run a a lower GPH becuase of the larger amout of media in them that the water has to run though as opposed to a HOB filter. Again I'm not 100% sure about that but I think I read it on a thread here. Maybe someone can back me up or tell me I'm an idiot.

[cartmanis]

2nd recommendation for the Rena XP3. Very quiet, was easy to setup, easty to start, and is going to be dead simple to disconnect and clean. Ton's of room for media inside, and I like that the water has to travel to the bottom and then up through the media before going back into the tank. Just seems more sensible than my older canisters.

[hungryhound]

Dont quote me on this but I am pretty sure canisters can run a a lower GPH becuase of the larger amout of media in them that the water has to run though as opposed to a HOB filter. Again I'm not 100% sure about that but I think I read it on a thread here. Maybe someone can back me up or tell me I'm an idiot.

opps sorry I quoted you. :ezpi_wink1:

I was jsut wondering because when I look at the tank ratings the 350 gph HOB is rated for a 75 gallon tank and the 164 gph Canister is rated for a 90 gallon tank.

So I was wondering about how many gph I need for a canister to push out to clean a 46 gallon tank.

[*Sarah*]

I always think u should go the next size up at least, so if yours is a 46 gal, go for a filter that is good for a 50-60gal tank or even more. More is better when it comes to filtration. We have a 40gal that has a filter on it for up to 70gal's. That gives us a little leeway in case we (slightly) overstock the tank, or if we accidently overfeed occasionally...:)
BUT, I'm no expert so someone else might have a more educated answer for you.

[f1oored]

Don't be so concerned with the gph but more with the ammount of water the filter says it can take care of. The XP3 says it's good for 175 gallon tank. Always overfilter. 175 is the very max this thing can do. It would have to be a very lightly stocked tank and have lots of other forms of water movement. Regardless of which you choose, you are going to need to keep one of your other filters going on the other side of the tank. On my 72 (48 inches) I have the xp3 and a biowheel 350. Both are rated at more water than the tank can hold but imo both are needed. I have cichlids and my tank is overstocked and they are dirty fish. You should be able to get away with less but you need to keep the water moving on both sides of the tank when your tank is 6 feet long.

[hungryhound]

okay thanks for the info. you guys are very helpful

[dishmando]

Im currently running an Eheim 2213 and a Penguin 350 biowheel for my 52 gallon. I gotta say i jumped into the hobby too fast not knowing the deal about "overfiltering" and that its recommended. I would have purchased a larger Eheim right from the get-go. Im saying this because i just recently added the HOB. Regardless, my waters nice and clear, and im thinking of adding more filtration. Possibly a diatom.
Still doing some research on filters, but i think i eventually will add some other type of filter.

my .02

[Lady Hobbs]

I agree. You're talking $20 to go with a bigger canister.

[cocoa_pleco]

I agree. You're talking $20 to go with a bigger canister.


you know what was weird? anyway, the lfs that said powerheads were 5 bucks, they didnt know what a power head was, and thought it was a sponge filter, so i went somewhere else.

The other place had powerheadsfor a 10g for 18$, one for a 20g 18.50, and one for a 50g 18.65. weird.

I ended up buying the ones good for 50g for my 10 gal, and its workin good.

[TehTANK]

Thanks everyone so far for your replies. I am still looking to get more infomration here so if anyone knows more or hasn't commented....please do so!

[sergo]

"I got IT on ebay" :)
a fluval 305 for $88. it's on it's way and should be at my house tomorrow. i'll post what i really think about it after i get it set up.

[xoolooxunny]

I have Magnum HOT 350 canister filter. It's a good filter, and does a great job of keeping the water moving, but in my 75 gallon, i had to add a powerhead to move the water on the other side of the tank. I'm going to stick with it for awhile, but i wouldn't recommend it to anyone on account of the trouble it gives me while cleaning and replacing carbon.

[*Sarah*]

Great deal! GOtta love Ebay.

[sergo]

Great deal! GOtta love Ebay.sometimes anyway :ezpi_wink1:

[Lady Hobbs]

IF you get a reputable seller. Not all are. I have no problem buying new items from stores on ebay but am always very careful buying from private sellers. Especially items that you may want to be covered under warranty.

[Lady Hobbs]

TehTANK

Ehiem
2215 rated to 93 gallons
2217 rated to 175 gallons

PetSmart
2215=105.99
2217=134.99

Big Als
2215=99.99
2217=119.99

Drs Foster and Smith
2215=84.99
2217=101.99

Fluval
305 rated up to 70 gallons
405 rated up to 100 gallons

Drs Foster and Smith
305=124.99
405=169.99

Big Als
305=124.99
405=169.99

PetSmart
305=124.99
405=169.99

Rena FilStar
XP2 rated to 70 gallons
XP3 rated to 175 gallons

PetSmart
XP2=79.99
XP3=104.99

Big Als
XP2=58.99
XP3=98.99

Drs Foster and Smith
XP2=77.99
XP3=99.99

In good conscious, I can't pay out more money for a canister that is good for 100 gallons when I can get a name brand that is good for 175 gallon and for less money.

[Lady Hobbs]

Anyone ordering from PetSmart right now gets free shipping over $50 and also enter this code to get $15 off any Fluval.

http://www.petsmart.com/global/splash.jsp?CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=10134198673378208&bmUID=1172103553545

But hell, at the price of these filters they can well afford to give you $15 off.

[TehTANK]

TehTANK

Ehiem
2215 rated to 93 gallons
2217 rated to 175 gallons

PetSmart
2215=105.99
2217=134.99

Big Als
2215=99.99
2217=119.99

Drs Foster and Smith
2215=84.99
2217=101.99

Fluval
305 rated up to 70 gallons
405 rated up to 100 gallons

Drs Foster and Smith
305=124.99
405=169.99

Big Als
305=124.99
405=169.99

PetSmart
305=124.99
405=169.99

Rena FilStar
XP2 rated to 70 gallons
XP3 rated to 175 gallons

PetSmart
XP2=79.99
XP3=104.99

Big Als
XP2=58.99
XP3=98.99

Drs Foster and Smith
XP2=77.99
XP3=99.99

In good conscious, I can't pay out more money for a canister that is good for 100 gallons when I can get a name brand that is good for 175 gallon and for less money.




HOBBS!!!!! You are the best in the whole world! Thank you so much I am going to go with the Drs Foster and Smith 2217 I think. That was so awesome of you to do that for me. Thank you. I haven't had time to do the price research. I have been super swamped trying to find a new job. I really appreciate it.

Everyone keep posting your thoughts. I think this is really great for anyone thinking of getting a filter like this.

TehTANK

[KneeKickLou]

HOBBS!!!!! You are the best in the whole world! Thank you so much I am going to go with the Drs Foster and Smith 2217 I think. That was so awesome of you to do that for me. Thank you. I haven't had time to do the price research. I have been super swamped trying to find a new job. I really appreciate it.

Everyone keep posting your thoughts. I think this is really great for anyone thinking of getting a filter like this.

TehTANK I think you are making totally the right choice I hope you enjoy the silence :)

[Chrona]

Are XP3's quiet? It seems like those classic Eheim canisters would be a pain to clean. I'd much rather have media baskets that I can lift out.

[KneeKickLou]

Are XP3's quiet? It seems like those classic Eheim canisters would be a pain to clean. I'd much rather have media baskets that I can lift out.The Eheim's have a media basket its just that everything is in the one basket. You can easily put your media into mesh bags if you wanted to but they are already seaperted by filter floss

[Chrona]

The Eheim's have a media basket its just that everything is in the one basket. You can easily put your media into mesh bags if you wanted to but they are already seaperted by filter floss

If the media isn't in bags, won't it all fall through and get mixed up when you take the various materials out for cleaning though?

[KneeKickLou]

If the media isn't in bags, won't it all fall through and get mixed up when you take the various materials out for cleaning though?
I havnt yet had to clean mine but I dont think this will be a problem the fliter pads seaperate the media so I should just be able to take out the filter take out that layer of media take out the next filter take out the next layer and so on. Shouldnt be a big deal.

[Chrona]

I havnt yet had to clean mine but I dont think this will be a problem the fliter pads seaperate the media so I should just be able to take out the filter take out that layer of media take out the next filter take out the next layer and so on. Shouldnt be a big deal.

Well, I mean, if you don't have the bag, you'll have to scoop the ehfisubstrat/ehfimech layers out right?

[KneeKickLou]

yeah for sure. I read somewhere that someone bought a strainer just for cleaning there canisters. Just dump the stuff in there and rinse it out and you all set.

[f1oored]

Are XP3's quiet?

They are silent. The only thing you hear is the water churning at the top of the tank.

[Lady Hobbs]

You're welcome tehTank. The Rena is also a good possiblity for me. I like that both the Eheim and Rena are good for up to 175 gallons. I know it can go on a larger tank eventually, as well as being more than enough for my 55.

[sergo]

well i got my fluval 305 in today and i now have it up and running. there's only 2 things that i think were difficult/challenging (beer didn't help either). 1) putting the hoses on the valve and securing them. it just didn't seem right and the instructions didn't cover it at all. 2) priming the thing was some what challenging but it did figure out that there is a certain method that needs to be done to get it to work properly and that took a few minutes to figure out. once i did thought the water just started to pour in. all in all it wasn't that bad at all and just required a little patience. the thing is quiet as hell and we'll see by tomorrow morning how well it filters. i LOVE the adjustable flow and the separate compartments for whatever media i want to put in it. i think i did very good for $88 shipped to my door.

[Severus]

Let us know.

[sergo]

:thumb: gladly.

[Lady Hobbs]

If you had a time figuring it out with beer, I really will have a hard time on my coffee! After about 4 cups I'm wound up like a top.

[sergo]

If you had a time figuring it out with beer, I really will have a hard time on my coffee! After about 4 cups I'm wound up like a top.it really wasn't that hard and i am allergic to instructions :)
i will say that there is a definite trick to priming it and the instructions could have been written a little better. it took me about 1.5 hrs from the time i opened the package to when i was satisified totally with the placement and finally left it alone. that's not too bad. i will say i didn't notice much of a difference in the water this morning while getting ready for work but i didn't have time to really look at it. i do love the adjustable flow and that thing can really pump some water when you get all of the air out of it :ezpi_wink1:. all in all i feel that it was definitely worth $88. :thumb:

[Chrona]

They saw XP3's prime better with an empty canister, since you get more suction.

[Lady Hobbs]

You definately got a good deal. What gets me when reading about the canisters is that filter media can go 6 months without changing. I am constantly changing filter media in my HOTB filters! I hate that the water runs over all that crap and sends it back into my tanks.

My hope is to get a big enough canister that a HOTB can to totally elimated. Possibly just a sponge filter to the other side of the tank will do or a submerged filter of some sort.

I'm also thinking of a Vortex filter that can be used once a week and taken from tank to tank for microscopic particles and totally eliminate all other filters other than the canister. Obviously, thinking of getting rid of all HOTB except for small tanks is what I'm striving for. LOL

Is your Rena quiet? Hope you will be very happy with this filter. I'm like you when it comes to directions! You get 2 pages of English and 18 pages of Spanish.

[*Sarah*]

Our Fluval came with an instructional DVD :) Helped my hubby a lot when it came to setting it up.

[sergo]

yea there was one in there and it still has the plastic around it :)-. i was a jet engine mechanic for 8 years so a fluval 305 isn't anything i can't figure out. it's just more fun to think a little, well for me anyway.

[Mrs. Crabtree]

I've been looking at the Magnum 350 Pro, but since Magnums are not mentioned in this thread, should I be looking something else?

[Chrona]

I've heard lots of good things about them too (especially the ones with the dual biowheel attachment) Apparently, it comes with a micron cartridge that polishes water very well.

[cartmanis]

I have my older Magnum 350 Pro, as well as my new Rena Filstar XP3 and a Fulval 203 (I think it is).

The Rena is much better than either of the others. Starting, connecting/disonnecting and cleaning is so much nicer for the Rena.

the others were always messy to take apart and clean, and a bit of a paint to prime to get started.

The 350 is nice to add the micron filter and polish the water.

Can't speak about if one is better than the other for performance or not.