Canister filter alternatives

Hi. I am developing a fear of power shortage ramifications and potential leaks concerning canisters. (It's from the horror stories on the internet).
So my question is: what are the best comparable alternatives to a canister for a 240 liter or 65 gallon tank?
Or do you think that there is really no comparable filter to a canister for this size?
I'd appreciate views from personal experience and not hearsay. (Sump isn't relevant.)
Thanks.

 

Hi. I am developing a fear of power shortage ramifications and potential leaks concerning canisters. It's from the internet. So my question is: what are the best comparable alternatives to a canister for a 240 liter or 65 gallon tank? Or do you think that there is teally no comparable filter to a canister for this size? I'd appreciate views from personal experience and not hearsay. (Sump isn't relevant.) Thanks.

You could run multiple HOBs...

 

I've been running canisters for 30 years and no leaks to date. HOB's are the most common alternative.

 

I have only had a canister filter once in my 60 year fishkeeping journey. When the pump burned out, I decided not to buy another canister. I have run a 90 gallon tank on two HOB filters. You could get by with one such as the AquaClear 110 (500 gph), but I would suggest getting two of them if you can or one AC 110 and a different brand filter with a minimum of 400 gph flow.

Canister filters do have some advantages, but I never liked having to take them apart for maintenance.

 

You have the following options (65 is pretty small):
sump (over kill)
sponge filters (pretty good bio)
hob (would only need 1 for a 65)
canister filter (why not - one day mine will leak and flood my room and i will drown but so far they havne't)
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Even if you keep canister or go with hob you can still use a sponge filter. Don't get a giant one - keep them small - I'd suggest 3x3 or 4x4 - 3x3 is probably fine - but go for quality sponge with 30ppi or 20ppi.

 

Thank you

 

I put my canister in a plastic container, in case it spills, and set a water alarm on the floor next to it. If there is a leak, I will know it.

Having said that, canister filters rarely leak, unless you go very long without cleaning them (and even then), or you buy some cheap chinese product. The good brands that cost a little more money are very reliable.

If you don’t want a canister filter, you could have a HOB or a sponge filter, or both.

 

Hi. I am developing a fear of power shortage ramifications and potential leaks concerning canisters. (It's from the horror stories on the internet).
So my question is: what are the best comparable alternatives to a canister for a 240 liter or 65 gallon tank?
Or do you think that there is really no comparable filter to a canister for this size?
I'd appreciate views from personal experience and not hearsay. (Sump isn't relevant.)
Thanks.

HOBs are fine on a tank of that size if you run dual 110s. Out of curiosity why is Sump not relevant?

 

HOBs are fine on a tank of that size if you run dual 110s. Out of curiosity why is Sump not relevant?

It would take space and investment. I'd just as well get a canister. Or an undergravel.
By the way, where I live, there are no hobs. Canisters or internal filters. Most aquariums sold in Israel are German Juwel or Chinese. They have a wide 4 inched lipped frame on top and the water level is below that. A hob with its short intake would not work.
I do have an internal Juwel filter with 3 liters of media and an upgraded 1000 lph pump.
I've ordered a big 5 or 6 inch sponge filter from some reputable US dealer. Either to use or just keep on hand. I guess that would take much space and not be pretty.

 

Why would a canister filter leak if there is a power outage.

I will unplug mine sometimes during where changes, or feeding flake food, and mine don't leak.

Your Juwel filter + the sponge filter you bought will be more than adequate for your 240l tank.

 

Why would a canister filter leak if there is a power outage.

I will unplug mine sometimes during where changes, or feeding flake food, and mine don't leak.

Your Juwel filter + the sponge filter you bought will be more than adequate for your 240l tank.

If you have a power outage, it is possible to lose the siphon on the intake tube. If the pump loses siphon, when the power comes back on , the pump may run dry. If that happens, the pump will overheat and may burn out. If you go check on the filter as soon as the power comes back on, you should be OK.

 

I see.

I guess since my intake and discharge ends of the piping are below the surface, it doesn't happen to me.

 

I've never had power issues with canister filters. However, i have read horror stories of some who have had issues with them.

 

If you have a power outage, it is possible to lose the siphon on the intake tube. If the pump loses siphon, when the power comes back on , the pump may run dry. If that happens, the pump will overheat and may burn out. If you go check on the filter as soon as the power comes back on, you should be OK.

Ah. I meant the potential poisoning of the canister in the event of long power shortage.

Ah. I meant the potential poisoning of the canister in the event of long power shortage.

 

Another alternative to canister filter for a small tank like a 65 is to use a hamburg mitten filter (which is basically a large sponge). I have these in my 29 and 40 gallon tanks:
Cornerfilter Shop - SWISSTROPICALS
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They are a little pricey for what they are but they work effectively and the sponge he sells is very high quality...

 

Thank you. I'm getting over this and ill get a Fluval 407.