Cheap canister filters, are they any good?

[daniel7310]

Hey guys!

Has anyone ever seen/used or heard of these canister filters (don't even know the brand ) Price: $54.95-$105.95 (Depending on model)

Here is the link to them

http://search.oo.com.au/search#w=canister%20filter

These filters are also being sold on Ebay.

Another filter I see a lot on Ebay is a Protege Aqua canister filter ($99 AUD)

I have also found a Youtube video on the Protege aqua

I know it isn't going to compete with something like an Eheim or Fluval but it could be a decent upgrade for one of those trickle filters that sit ontop of the aquarium (like most aqua ones etc.)


So has anyone used or know someone that has used a product similar to this?

~Daniel

(edit: fixed broken link)

[MCHRKiller]

Never heard of that brand. Do check out the SunSun/AquaTop/Perfect canister filter...they are all the same thing just sold under various names. It is a proven good "cheap" canister...and believe it or not it does compare in performance to the Marineland and Fluval canisters

[Cermet]

Do check out the SunSun/AquaTop/Perfect canister filter...they are all the same thing just sold under various names. It is a proven good "cheap" canister...

I got a aqua Top (with a built in UV bulb) and it is now my main canister and my 'higher end' (read more costly) are now backups. These are very inexpensive (not cheap) but really do a good job for the price. Parts are readily available, too.

[dbosman]

Hey guys!
Has anyone ever seen/used or heard of these canister filters (don't even know the brand ) Price: $54.95-$105.95 (Depending on model)

If parts, specifically ceramic impeller shafts are available, it's probably a try. In the US most of the knock off brands do not have parts available.

[fresh_water110gallon]

save your self time hassle and headaches and go on amazon.com and look at canisters there. I saw today that you can get a fluval 405 for 120 bucks and that will filter alot of water for a decent price and be a high end name. always remember no matter what people say you get what you pay for in the end, and how can you go wrong with afluval for those prices cause smaller fluvals are cheaper then that or even penn plax cascade canisters are reasonably priced but i personally only have experience with fluval 106, 205 & api filstar xpL canisters and know both of those brands are good and have also heard good things about eheim ( one rated for 60 gallons is 74.99 at petsmart right now in stores and online) and have read decent reviews on the penn plax.If your needs surpass 60 gallons then you can either use that with a HOB or I'd go with the Fluval on amazon.com I garanty you won't regret the fluval especiallyat those prices cause a fluval 205 will cost you 120 bucks on a good day at the pet store and for that you get a 405 ( or 406 I cant remember) on amazon.

[talldutchie]

Hey guys!

Has anyone ever seen/used or heard of these canister filters (don't even know the brand ) Price: $54.95-$105.95 (Depending on model)

Here is the link to them

http://search.oo.com.au/search#w=canister%20filter

These filters are also being sold on Ebay.)

Looks like a Chinese clone of a previous generation fluval.

Problem with these are:

poor quality control
energy hungry motors
availability of spares
noise level

if you can get spares and you don't mind something that uses a few more watts it's worth a try.

Personally... I'd save a few more $ and start looking for a good deal on an eheim.

[Goes to 11!]

My reply to this:

Cheap canister filters, are they any good?

Is summed up succinctly by this:

Problem with these are:

poor quality control
energy hungry motors
availability of spares
noise level

if you can get spares and you don't mind something that uses a few more watts it's worth a try.

Personally... I'd save a few more $ and start looking for a good deal on an eheim.

[Drumachine09]

In my experience, you get what you pay for. Expensive filters are expensive for a reason. High quality parts.

[genocidex]

i had one very similar to that. be prepared to replace it with in a few months. it was nice while it lastest. mine was silent till it just hit a wall and then it sounded like a 747 taking off. if i was you i would invest a few extra bucks and pick up a rena xp....

[talldutchie]

In my experience, you get what you pay for. Expensive filters are expensive for a reason. High quality parts.

Generally true with the exception of the ADA superjet series. There's such a thing as overdoing it.
http://www.adana-usa.com/index.php?m...roducts_id=218