prairielilly

I'm looking into buying my first ever canister filter and well, it's overwhelming - as with any product there's good and bad reviews on everything. I'd be really interested to know what kind of canisters FishLore members use and why they like them (or don't ). I'd also like to know your recommendations on flow rates versus tank size, which units have the least bypass, the ever-important noise issue, ease of use and reliability. The one's I'm listing in the poll are those that I've found to be available in my area (ulterior motive ) and of a 'reasonable' price point for a canister ($100-200 CAD).

I've read the following regarding certain models - your thoughts?

Rena Filstar XP: reliable, flow rate less than reported, weak pump, leaks.
Marineland C-series: silent, efficient, no bypass, some reports of leaks.
Fluval 05 Series: easy to use, lots of media options, reliable, hoses hard to work with, bypass?
Eheim Classic: historical reliability, no bypass, messy to clean, low flow
Eheim Ecco Comfort: easy to use, no bypass, noisier than others

Thanks Dozey for your input on the ML C-series (started this whole quest)...still working my way around whether or not I would buy more Marineland...

Edit: should have mentioned I'm looking for one for a 20g tank, FW, would like to have 175-225 GPH, quiet, efficient, I want a spray bar, don't care if it has fancy features so long as it works, did I mention quiet? Plan is to never have to buy another filter (in my perfect dream-land of course...)

mathas

If you want something reliable, Eheim Classic is very hard to beat.

Rena's ratings are accurate, they're just misleading. Most manufacturers, Rena included, provide numbers for a filter with no media; Eheim is the only one I know of that provides ratings for a full filter.

But on the subject of leaks, I've had none on my XP4.

Llama

I have an Eheim classic, and its VERY QUIET.

By very quiet, I mean unless you're actually trying to hear the faint humming, you won't notice it.

Cleans up pretty nicely too, but haven't had it for very long.

MPrudent

I currently have 3 Rena xp3's and 2 rena xp4's and have never had a problem with any of them. They are super quiet, easy to use, tons of filter media available, and very reliable. My vote is for the Rena...

Dozey

Marineland C-Series.

Why:
Quick release intake/return lines, no valves to fumble with and/or forget to open/close.
Multiple baskets can be filled with media of my choice.
Each basket has its own handle for easy removal during maintenance.
Excellent customer support and warranty.
Quick release motor housing.
Zero by-pass.
Self priming.
Comes with instructional DVD movie, no need to read the manual.
Impeller is easy to remove for cleaning.
Spare gaskets included.

Noise:
What noise?

Flow Rate:
Higher then other models I considered.

Maintenance:
A breeze and absolutely mess free.

Cost:
Affordable.

Customer satisfaction:
I’m so happy

tomchitown

i just bought a Eheim Classic off craigslist for 20 bux ..... great deal and a nice quiet filter

FishCreek

I have the Rena xP3 on my 55 and have 2 more to install on a 125. Large media baskets, VERY quiet. 14 months use and no problem.

namehater

i have a JBJ Reaction EFU-35 installed on my 55g uncycled fishless tank. i cant say anything for well it cleans, but it seems to have very good flow and is absolutely silent, seriously cant hear it at all!

Shawnie

all my canisters are the penn plax cascades (3 of them) ...and ive always used them and they do a faboo job so i feel if its not broke, dont fix it !! (not to mention trying to learn how to take apart and put together a different model might make me crazy !! even if that isnt a far trip )

TedsTank

Marineland. Easy, efficient, and quiet.

SammyJ

The Marineland C series. I have a 220 and its fantastic. Its greatest feature is the key release hose coupling. All you have to do is turn off the filter, uncouple the hoses from the filter and you are free to do any maintenance you need (which isn't much really). Its near leak free as well, as it keeps the water inside the hoses while you are doing maintenance. Even filled with sand silt mine was still polishing the water to a shine.

Regal

I like the Marineland c series. When I turn off the Magnum and bio-wheel on my 75 gallon I can stand right in front of the tank and hear nothing. You can't even tell it's running.
Maintenance is easy. The hoses can be released from the canister with the flip of a switch and stay full of water so no priming is needed after the initial start up. The prime button is really nice too.

whiskeyhill

Fluval for me always used them. Eheim too expensive but great filter,don't like the hang-ons. For price and quality you can't beat Fluval.

prairielilly

Thought I should probably mention at some point here that I ended up with an Eheim Classic 2213, and very happy with it too although I haven't had it long enough to speak to its durability or what it's like for cleaning. But it sure seems to be doing a bang-up job on the water - it's been running for a week and its cycle is in the middle of the nitrite spike!

I think this poll will be valuable to anyone else looking to buy a new canister, so thanks very much for all the input - hope it keeps on coming!

SammyJ

Welcome to the world of canister filters. You will never look at a HOB the same again .

prairielilly

ty! so I'm finding - canisters rock! Much better too now that I got the hose situation sorted. For my smaller tanks, well Eheim didn't have a canister for a 5g and I didn't want an internal, so I installed AquaClears on those as a next-best option, and I'm about to buy another tomorrow for the 10g bc the one thin sheet on the cartridge in its current hob just don't cut it for me any more...any new tank I buy in the future (of size) is definitely getting canistered!

SammyJ

Check out the Rapids 80 canister. Its rated for a 20 but works awesome on my 10. It may be a bit much for a 5 gallon though. Its also cheap.

soldieroffortune1974

If you're DIY minded, I can make it where you never need to buy another commercially made filter ever.Nice,quiet,efficient operation complete with spray bar all in the neighborhood of $50 (depending on pump size,it's the most expensive part)

I make my own cannister filters.stay tuned I will be posting a DIY video soon.

prairielilly

I found that online, looks sweet - but $39.99 USD ~ $46 CAD + shipping + taxes...an AquaClear 20 is around $35 CAD here. I like the idea, but with 5 tanks I do look for ways to save..until I find it locally for a respectable price...

prairielilly

Yes, in some ways - didn't consider that when I first started looking at canisters as when it's the first time I'm trying something I will tend to go with what's tested and true and made by some big manufacturer, as I'm very cautious when originally dabbling and like reputations and warranties and customer reviews (part of the reason I went with the Eheim). If and when there's a next time, I've now learned more and will definitely be up for it.

CoryMac

do all canister filters have spray bars??

prairielilly

I don't know, but I would assume they either do or have the option to add one, as the only other arrangement for the output I've seen is just a plain pipe.

CoryMac

im very interested in getting one, if so it would be a marineland c-series 220gph

prairielilly

Dozey is a big proponent of that one, almost had me convinced . See this thread, post 17 (link to info).

Dozey

No, not at canister filters come with spray bars. Some come with a return head (as pictured) and yet others are shipped with both. Regardless of what accessories a canister are shipped with the accessories are available separately and are interchangeable.

ReturnHead.jpg

CWO4GUNNER

For its simplicity, see through housing, use of almost any low cost filter media, high 350 GPH to power usage, ease of maintenance, low cost under for $85, and long history of reliability (10 years in some cases). This make the Magnun 350 the clear and simple choice in off the shelf large capacity (up to 100ga) canister filters IMHO. $79 today with $5 coupon code, shipping only $8. Or a simpler way of putting it for the price of one competitor you can buy two Magnum 350's (home run)...
http://www.petsolutions.com/Default....temID=47433504

http://www.tjoos.com/Coupon/23073/Pet-Solutions

AquaAnswerMan

Actually, Rena provides numnbers based on BOTH. The front tells you maximum flow, which is based on no media. If you look on the side, they give you the numbers for a FULL canister. XP3 without media is 350 gph. With media, it's 187.

I've never had any problems with any of my Filstar XP canisters, and I own an XP1, XP2, XP3 and an XP4. They are quiet, durable, aesthetically pleasing, and very reliable. They also have a wide range of media to choose from.

I'll go with Rena over any of the others any day of the week...

Goldwing_Don

Eheim 2222 very sweat

Meenu

Hi Don,
This was a really old thread

David C

I love my Fluval 305. I can only tell it's running by putting my hand on it and feeling the vibration of the motor, it makes "no" noise. The hoses are stiff after they've been put in awhile, so they would be a pain to adjust later if you needed.

Dave