best brand canister filter?

[plecox2]

Whats the best brand canister filter? One that is quiet too. I was planning to use an xp4 for a 110 gallon. I know the xp3 is good enough, but it wont hurt to get the xp4 cos my friend has 2* xp3's for his 120 gallon.

[chattafish]

I love my rena xp-2! There are more expensive options, but with the amount of media choices in the Rena--why pay more?

[emc7]

Go ahead and "overfilter". There are only a few cases where more isn't better.

[plecox2]

Originally Posted by emc7

Go ahead and "overfilter". There are only a few cases where more isn't better.

so? Tell it to this guy who used xp4 on his 75 gallons. It was on a customer review on this website. http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...ct~AP7317.html


"This canister filter works great! It by far has kept my 75 gallon freshwater clearer than my Marineland Penguin 350B did in my 20 gallon! I have two comets and a pleco, so these fish are dirty. I'm impressed with this filter. The baskets are 6" by 6" and about 4" deep."

[COM]

If I had a 75 I would put two of those XP4s on it. They only run 450 gph. That would only be 6 turns per hour.

My opinion is that Eheim makes the best widely-available canister.

[Scuba Kid]

I agree with COM on the Eheims. I have a Professional II on my 150 gallon and it is a good filter. Has survived a lot of abuse as well.
I am also a big fan of the Fluvals. I have Fluval canisters all over the house, from 204s, 404s, and a 305. All have served me well.

plecox2, emc7 was not trying to diffute your statement. She was just pointing out that it IS better to overfilter. I don't reccomend anyone getting a filter rated for exactly the size tank one has. In reality, that is the maximum the filter can handle (with good maintenance). Overfiltration allows a little leway in terms of tank maintenance and is in general better for the health of the fish.

[COM]

I recommend maximizing turns per hour but not until the point that it would bother the fish. Simply put, the more times that the water gets pushed through a mechanical filter, the more chance for poop and other floating debris to get caught there and not settle in the tank. While you'll simply have to remove the waste from the filter eventually, it isn't as unsightly and the water sparkles.

I would give a cautious endorsement on the Fluval based on a bad experience I had ten years ago with the 'ol Fluval 303. Back in those days the Fluval canisters were cylindrical. The motor drive was on top and you would remove it from the filter body by undoing straps and turning off shutoff valves with quick disconnects from the hoses (that was the big innovation in the 303 - the quick disconnect - prior filters didn't have this feature). In oder to form a seal when you returned the motor, you had to use a rather confounding O-Ring and perfectly sit the motor on the canister. Typically this involved the use of vaseline. Mind you, this is a fairly heavy piece of equipment and the job had to be absolutely precise or it wouldn't mount. The upside was that inside the canister was a three-level basket that you could put damn near anything in.

I also had the 303 as the sole filter on a 55 gallon that my dad was overfeeding. Not a good combination.

I believe that with the x04 introduction Fluval moved to a rectangular system. That's much better. Even if they are still using O-rings the corners should hold them better.

If you've got the money and a big tank, check out the new Eheim Pro 3e 2076. http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS...canisterfilter
That will be the filter on my next tank unless they come up with something cooler first.

As per the original notion of using 2 XP4s, I don't think that would be nearly enough filtration. Three would get you in range.

[gil_ong]

am i insane for thinking about installing a canister filter for my 20 gallon?

[COM]

Yes you are. Get a toy for your car instead. Or get a bigger tank.

[trashion]

I second the latter suggestion

[plecox2]

alrite thnx guys.

[gil_ong]

Originally Posted by COM

Yes you are. Get a toy for your car instead. Or get a bigger tank.

Originally Posted by trashion

I second the latter suggestion

i reckon i could fit a 29 gallon in the same space. we'll see.

but seriously, not even something small like a fluval 104/5? isn't it only rated for up to 25 gallons?

[emc7]

A baby canister would do if you need a really quiet filter for a living room, for example. But I'm with the others, Run the 20 with a sponge filter and spend the money on another tank.

[Gourami Swami]

well I've got a big canister on a 30-gallon but its a planted tank with discus so I need very good water quality. I always use eheim, to answer the original question. But im with everyone else, buy yourself a 55 then get a canister for THAT

[Sea-Agg2009]

Any opinions about the Marineland C-220 or C-360? I am thinking for a 50 gallon.

[emc7]

I haven't used these, but I always go bigger than the "up to" size. In other words, pick the bigger one. They look nice, quite a bit different than the Marineland magnum 350. Anyone know if this is a new product or a "rebranding" because of consolidation in the industry?

[Sea-Agg2009]

The numerical naming indicates its GPH, so the 220 will be over 4 turn-overs per hour, and the 360 will be over 7 (for the 50 gallon). I know com was complaining that the xp4 was only getting 6 on a 75 gallon, so I was wondering what the consensus is for a canister that pulls 7 T.O's on a 50 gal. I have still heard really good things about it.

[emc7]

I use HOT magnums (about 250 gph) on some 55 gallon tanks, but I always use a second filter also.

[Felicia]

A couple years ago, I had a magnum 350 canister filter. One fine day, I was replacing the inefficient media. When I put the lid back on the filter, I didn't realize that the O Ring had fallen off the lid and into the body of the canister. So I turned the valve and let the water flow back into the canister. When it got to the top, water started spewing in all directions from the canister, onto a poorly placed power strip (which clearly stated, "Not for use near aquariums"). I panicked for a few seconds, then quickly turned the valves to stop the water flow while the power strip started to buzz and smoke. In my infinite wisdom, I decided to reach down and press that little red switch on the power strip to turn it off. I will never do that again.

So then I bought a Rena XP3. It has a 2 year warranty. I, like other Americans, don't keep receipts. The filter works fine, in my opinion, as long as it doesn't leak. For about 6 months now, the lid has leaked very very tiny amounts of water. It's so little that it dries before spilling on the floor or anything, and all I see is salt creep. I replaced every single o ring in the stupid thing, and it didn't help. Not only does it leak water, but air leaks INTO it. It constantly has a few inch tall air pocket at the top of the filter chamber which is not normal. That means it occasionally expels tiny little bubbles into my reef tank. I have contacted the MARS Fishcare and Planet Rena many times about how I can fix it, or if it is harmful to the filter to have an air pocket in it, and they don't know the answers or care that I exist, because I am not their problem. The actual manufacturer of the product is in France.

I just got a Fluval 405. Let's see how it does.

[emc7]

Let us know how it goes. Fluval's generally get good reviews, but the whole industry is in flux. Why would anyone spend money on good customer service if they plan to sell the whole brand? I've had a few Magnum 350 floods, but at least I can still get all the parts.