Question: Cannister filter or HOB Filter

Nova359 · September 17th, 2009

I have a 50 gallon Tank. I have an Aquaclear 110 . I will put a second filter.
My question is the follow ..What is better a Cannister filter, like a Eiheim 2217 or another Aquaclear 110. I dont like cannister filters much. I can change the configuartion of a HOB with out to much problem, like adding or taking the carbon activated. It is a pain to change anything on the cannister with out leaking water. I saw a 2217 looking like a water fountain because one of the connecting tubes was loose. 20 gallons were on the wooden floor in a matter of seconds.
The Aquaclear 110 filters 50O GPH and the 2217 265 gph.
What I do? Please give an advise.

JoeSmo · September 18th, 2009

Well you could go for another HOB, Aquaclear are my favorite filter brand and they work well. If you want to do a canister filter you could do something like this:

just with a bigger pump and a larger container, and just run active carbon on the top of the sponges/bio media.

mare2009 · September 18th, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nova359

I have a 50 gallon Tank. I have an Aquaclear 110 . I will put a second filter.
My question is the follow ..What is better a Cannister filter, like a Eiheim 2217 or another Aquaclear 110. I dont like cannister filters much. I can change the configuartion of a HOB with out to much problem, like adding or taking the carbon activated. It is a pain to change anything on the cannister with out leaking water. I saw a 2217 looking like a water fountain because one of the connecting tubes was loose. 20 gallons were on the wooden floor in a matter of seconds.
The Aquaclear 110 filters 50O gph and the 2217 265 gph.
What I do? Please give an advise.

Hi

I would go with what you have had the best experience with. Since you have used both, and sounds like more problems with the cannister then the HOB, and with the 2 aquaclear filters I see no problems at all. IMO

peacemaker92 · September 18th, 2009

Hmm... Mare has a good point there!

Good luck at whichever you choose!

Remember, just trust your fish keeping instincts!

aquarist48 · September 18th, 2009

Hello Nova. I have several Aqua Clears (AC's) on both my tanks. I have nothing but high praises for them. I've also had a canister filter or two in the past and I feel the same as you. I'm much happier with the AC's.
Great advice from Mare

Don't forget to take into consideration the strong current the tank will have by having two 110's on a 50g tank. (1000gph is kind of high) Will the fish be able to handle it without being blown around the tank? Something to think about.
Best of luck!
Ken

Nova359 · September 18th, 2009

Thanks to all for your great advises.
I have Danios on top, Bolivians Rams on the midle with Cardinals Tetras , Corys and Plecos on the bottom.
I will have a strong current, no doubt about it, but I think the Danios can take it.
Ken, l will study the situation a little longer.

Thank you , I am not alone any more !!!

ccb04 · September 18th, 2009

Technically, with the AquaClear 110 ... you're already at 10x turnover in your 50 gallon tank. I like the idea of extra filtration with 2 filters (I do the same on my livebearer community). However, as Ken mentioned ... two 110's may be too much for your 50g. Prehaps consider an AC50 (200 GPH), which would give you 700 GPH total.

TedsTank · September 18th, 2009

I would go with the 2 aquaclears since you like them. Keep your first one easy for the charcoal works, and set the other up just as a bio filter....just cut extra squares of filter media and let it run...my bio only filters rarely clog, and every couple of months I just rinse them in aqarium water....but never both filters at the same time.

Nova359 · September 18th, 2009

ccbo4 - I was looking for AC 70, 300gph, total of 800 gph.. I like to have a clear tank.
Not sure about the current.

Ted - great idea. I can use carbon in one and bio in the other.

Th AC has something to reduce/increase the flow. I could reduce the currrent like that.

Thank you for all you help. I dont want to screw up, the littles guys dont deserve that.

ccb04 · September 18th, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nova359

ccbo4 - I was looking for AC 70, 300gph, total of 800 gph.. I like to have a clear tank.
Not sure about the current.

Nova ... I don't blame you for wanting a crystal clear tank. We all do!

At 10x turnover on your 50g, a properly maintained AquaClear 110 by itself should give you a clear tank.

But as mentioned, I also like filter redundancy ... and run 300 GPH on my 20g long livebearer community.

Basically, if your small fish can handle the GPH ... go for it. And as you mentioned, you can always use the flow control on the AC70.

Best of luck.

Nova359 · September 18th, 2009

Thank to all

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