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what is a canister filter?
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A canister filter is an outside filter that has a big, enclosed filter and pump and two long hoses. They are quieter than hang-on-back filters because you don't get the "waterfall" noise if you put the return hose under the water. If you have a stand with a enclosed area underneath, you can put a canister filter out-of-sight which will also muffle the sound of the pump. Canisters can also be moved to the sink for cleaning without draining the water out. In general, canisters take longer to clean than HOBs, but need cleaning less often. Canisters general cost more than hang-on-backs also.
For any filter in a tank with sand, its important to keep the sand away from the impeller (the part the spins and actually moves the water).
Putting the filter intake several inches above the sand and covering it with a piece of filter sponge will hopefully stop the sand from getting in any filter.
With canister filter with the impeller in the lid (like a fluval), and sand that gets in the filter will pass through the impeller and settle on the bottom of the filter. When sand gets in a filters that has the impeller at the bottom of the filter (like Magnums) sand gets between the impeller and the housing (where the impeller sits). There it will either jam the impeller and stop the water flow, or slowly grind groves into the housing or impeller causing the filter to get noisy and less effective.
If you have the money, I'd recommend a canister filter with a top impeller with a 500 gph rating.