Canister filter recommendation ?

[Jonmott]

Where is the 360 leaking from? You May only need to clean/lube the o ring on the pump head

 

[EncryptedGod]

No, Ive done cleaning all that needs 2b done through its life. No worries though. Need 2 buy a new one anyways. thank you!

 

[Islandvic]

I'm sure some water changes will keep your stock content.

Welcome to the forum

 

[EncryptedGod]

Thank you I placed a order for the Aurora today. Thanks guys/girls! I sure appreciate this. I owe you

 

[EricDRubin]

Upgrading from a HOB to canister filter. Currently have fluval aquaclear 70 for my 38 gallon tank. Looking at maybe the Fluval 307 since I'm familiar with the brand. But... any recommendations on a canister that may be even better (and user friendly since I'm new to canisters).

 

[kallililly1973]

Fluval canisters are nice i have a 206 on my 20 long and a 406 on my 55... They are a bit costly but reliable from my experience with them. I also have a SunSun302b on my 29 which i feel is also a very reliable canister for a lot less money but depending on what package deal you get with the SunSun sometimes you need to buy the media seperate which isn't that big of a deal. just my .02

 

[AmnScott]

Hydor, Fluval, or Eheim, from my experiences, have had the best canister filters.

The "07" Fluval canisters are supposed to be very nice. My 206 has been running for about 2 years strong now, hooked up to my 29G.

I don't think you could go wrong with the 307. It is pretty easy to setup. Priming it is pretty quick and easy. Just be sure to follow the instructions as you are setting it up, so you don't miss a step. I've done that on occasion...

Edit: Also, you can run that AquaClear as a polishing unit if you wanted to. Just stuff it with Polyfill or something similiar, and put a pre-filter on the intake. But if your water is already crystal clear then that probably isn't necessary.

 

[Celestialpearl]

I think the Fluval canisters are pretty simple. I really like the quick disconnect on them that shuts a valve on the hoses for servicing. It doesn't leak much water at all, literally a small wash cloth is sufficient to clean up the dripped water. It makes servicing a breeze. The filter runs pretty much silent, which is great since the tank is in my bedroom. I don't know if Fluval is still doing the extended warranties on the new 7th gen line. When I got mine they were and it has 5 years on it as opposed to the normal 2, which is awesome should something go wrong.

I also have a Hydor 150 which came with my tank, stand and lights, but I like Fluval way better.

Other options I think to consider:

Oase has options for built in thermometer which is really nice as it keeps it out of view of the tank and frees up space. It also has a prefilter section that can be removed for cleaning without disassembling the entire filter. This will allow you to go a little longer on filter maintenance. Downside is they are a bit pricey...particularly the larger ones.

SunSun is the ultimate budget filter. Decent quality for the price point. I was looking into SunSun before the Fluval 7 series came out and am still entertaining the idea of one for my 20 long.

 

[EricDRubin]

Fluval canisters are nice i have a 206 on my 20 long and a 406 on my 55... They are a bit costly but reliable from my experience with them. I also have a SunSun302b on my 29 which i feel is also a very reliable canister for a lot less money but depending on what package deal you get with the SunSun sometimes you need to buy the media seperate which isn't that big of a deal. just my .02

I may upgrade to a 55 gallon at some point in the future. Should I get the 407 then? Would the 407 be too much for a 38 gallon?

 

[kallililly1973]

I may upgrade to a 55 gallon at some point in the future. Should I get the 407 then? Would the 407 be too much for a 38 gallon?

I run a 406 an AC70 and 2 sponge filters on my 55 but its very heavily stocked and planted. You can regulate the flow with the aquastop valve if you went with a 407 for your 38 so it doesn't push everyone around. I think it'll be ok.

 

[Celestialpearl]

I may upgrade to a 55 gallon at some point in the future. Should I get the 407 then? Would the 407 be too much for a 38 gallon?

Depends on the fish you plan to keep along with fish and decor. Personally I like a good turn over rate in my tanks and it doesn't bother my fish. A 307 would work fine for both of your tanks, but I think a 407 is doable as well.

 

[Val1]

I've had two Filstars over the years. one made by Rena, one now that they're made by API. Simple, easy to use and clean, and very easy to pack with media. My new one is two years old and still very quiet.

 

[Black Thumb]

Love Fluval and also think they're a simple design, but I hate their ribbed hoses which really are compatible with nothing. I prefer Eheim Classics, because of their bulletproof construction and few places a leak could happen. I have found, recently, that the tubing gets crushed at the connections over time, so every couple of years you probably need new tubing, but I suspect that's true for everyone.

If you go with Eheim, budget an extra $60 for the upgraded intake and exhaust kits, because they're worth every penny and make cleaning and repriming much, much easier. I'd probably go with a 2217 for a 38 gallon tank.

Either way, Fluval or Eheim, I think you'll have something reliable that you can get parts for well into the future. I have both.

 

[Celestialpearl]

I think you'll have something reliable that you can get parts for well into the future. I have both.

Great point here. Most of the lfs I go to have impellers, gaskets, tubing, etc. for both.

I guess the point is if something were to happen to the filter, where could you get replacement parts the easiest? That might be a useful consideration...

 

[Mike1995]

I have 4 ehiem classic canisters. 1 2211, 2 2213 and one 2217. None of them blast out huge flow rates like other brands. But, they are built like a tank. They're German. I also have a dennerle aquarium, also German. everything with that is made excellent. and good quality. Honestly makes a lot of our equipment look like junk in terms of material quality. Anyway, the canisters are super simple. And very simple to clean and open up. They also fit in my opinion a much larger amount of media due to the lack of baskets. Which I think is better, because it gives you more surface area for beneficial bacteria. something that is a huge plus for an aquarium. Also a very quiet filter.

I also have used marineland canister filters. they are good too. The actual canister body and lid and hoses are well built. only down side to these is the intake and output parts, they're a little flimsy. Overall they are quiet and affordable.