Canister, HOB, or sump?

[Danh_vu]

I am deciding on what filter to use in my planted 45 gallon tank.
Canisters are quite expensive for me.
I could easily make a 10 gallon sump but will need designs for it. Perhaps some suggestions on what to go in? In the past, personally, I believe HOB aren't reliable as sumps and canisters are. My budget is around 50 dollars US.

[Jaster]

I think for $50 you would be in the HOB price range. I use HOBs on all of my tanks and I haven't had any issues with them.

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I use both the 400 and the 280. The 280 would handle your 45 with no problems.

A lot of people use these as well. I think the 50 would be what you would want. [Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

I've never used one personally but it was my other choice if I didn't go with the Emperor. The deciding factor was I got the Emperor on a 1/2 off sale. And a canister was way out of my budget.

[jackson17]

I got my fluval 205 for around 55 dollars (US) and thats rated for a tank about your size. IMO canisters are the best way to go. On my 55 I have the fluval 205 and a whisper (HOB) 60 on opposite sides.

IMO, canisters are worth the money. I was in the same boat as you, wanting to try to build a sump, but it wasn't worth the time and stuff because you would need to spend about 50 off the bat on a commerical overflow unless you want to drill your tank (which is very risky and not recommended).

Either way just get a filter that can clean your tank plenty

[Jaster]

A 205 for $50?? Wow.... even at fostersmith those are $120ish... Thats a sweet deal.

[jackson17]

A 205 for $50?? Wow.... even at fostersmith those are $120ish... Thats a sweet deal.

lol ya i was surprised to thumbs2:

[Danh_vu]

For a filter, I need something that is rated for double my tank.
I am going to inject co2 into my planted tank so, a sump will degas all of it as well as a HOB. Perhaps I can build a canister myself provided I have the right materials?

[jackson17]

The thing with canisters they are sealed. That means if power cuts, they stop working, but wont overflow and leak everywhere and once power goes back on it instantly starts circulating again. The differents is when a HOB power cuts, it drains (usually) and to get it going again you need to pour water back into the top to start the filtration again. A sump you would need to build a overflow box, then buy a pump, build baffles, a trickle system ect ect.

I would go for the HOB for your option. Mine works good (for the most part lol) but they are cheaper and do the job.

[MCHRKiller]

There is a code trick on drsfostersmith.com which can save you a ton of cash if your in the US. With the CD-CK product number switch in the search box...with this the Rena XP2 will end up costing $85, XP3 costs $110....and then there are also large drops on the Eheim classics; this only works on products with a 6 digit product number tho :22: But honestly canisters are the way to go IME especially for a tank of this size.

[Danh_vu]

Would this work?

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or

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or

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[jackson17]

There is a code trick on drsfostersmith.com which can save you a ton of cash if your in the US. With the CD-CK product number switch in the search box...with this the Rena XP2 will end up costing $85, XP3 costs $110....and then there are also large drops on the Eheim classics; this only works on products with a 6 digit product number tho :22: But honestly canisters are the way to go IME especially for a tank of this size.


wanna PM this trick :help: :22:

[AABatteries]

Would this work?

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or

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or

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If one of the 303's works fine, then I'd get one of them.

[MonkeyPox]

For a filter, I need something that is rated for double my tank.
I am going to inject co2 into my planted tank so, a sump will degas all of it as well as a HOB. Perhaps I can build a canister myself provided I have the right materials?

You can easily set up a wet/dry or sump system that degrades CO2 no more then any other filter.

[thatcichlidguy]

A $50 budget doesn't leave much wiggle room. An AC70 would probably get you close to what your looking for. Not quite double flow rate but closer on price. Also is one of the best HOBs on the market. If you want a canister be very picky when buying used. Sumps on small tanks are kinda iffy. By that I mean that their benefit is little or no better than a HOB or smaller canister IMO. It's more cost effective to go with a store bought filter in this case. Though a sump will allow for a good bit of customization in media types and designs. For this size tank though and your budget, I'd go with a HOB for pure simplicity and cost.

[MCHRKiller]

I would go with the 3rd craigslist auction and get the AquaClear 500 and a Fluval 303. Youd end up spending $60...just turn the flow all the way down on the AC500 and then run the 303 on there as well. You would have an insane amount of filtration capacity for a tank that size for sure. :22:

[thatcichlidguy]

I think both would be overkill on a planted tank. The AC500 would be more than plenty.

[MCHRKiller]

No such thing as overkill providing your flow isnt to obstructive. The AC500 has a very low flow when its turned all the way down and the Fluval 303 isnt that beefy of a filter not to mention the fact that planted tanks do like a good amount of circulation which the OP could setup easily with a few return mods. And when buying used equipment its not wise to put all of your eggs in one basket...as its very likely one or the other wont have that much time left in most cases. Just a thought:22: