Canister filter vs HOB

I'm a beginner and am new to the hobby. I have been told and well as I have read that a canister filter is better than a hang on the back filter. Can anyone tell me why ? If a hang on back fitler is 300 gpm and a canister filter is also 300 gpm, what makes a canister filter better ? Why are they better than a hang on back filter, or is it just a matter of preferance and they are both just as good as the other?

 

I'm also curious about the difference and benifits of each.
I use a canister filter myself.

 

Good morning and
to Fish Lore!

I think it's a personal choice really. Canister filters may be able to fit more filter media inside thus giving you more surface area to house beneficial bacteria needed to sustain the tanks cycle.

Hang On Back (HOB) type filters have much easier access to the filter media making it easier to do filter maintenance.

Check out the information in the link below:


I really do not think you would go wrong by choosing either, the HOB or the Canister.

For large aquariums, I would recommend Wet/Dry or Sumps or a combination of different types.

Ken

 

Welcome to Fishlore

Benefits of a canister (IMO):
- Increased water volume (might only be a gallon or two, but it's more water)
- Quieter (typically no splashing noises)
- Holds more media, can allow you to stock more heavily
- Bigger sponges/floss pads, can give you better water polishing
- Evaporation, canisters will still run on a lower water volume... HOBs can suffer with a lower water volume.
- Greater flexibility on media use. Canisters generally allow you to add extra media, such as carbon, crushed coral/egg shells, phosphate sponges, etc.
- Choice of media, generally easier to use what ever media you like... you can choose bio-max, substrat etc
- can position intake and returns
- spray bars allow for a wider distribution of flow
- can run a lower turnover rate

Benefits of HOB
- no tubes running out of the tank
- all-in-one unit
- easier/quicker to service
- cheaper

That's my 2c on the subject. Wherever possible and suitable, I would go canister.

 

The canister may not provide oxygen since it doesn't splash.

 

Hello,

For canister filters, you can aI'm the outflow tube toward the surface which will create surface water movement, adding oxygen into the water.

Ken

 

Well sounds like the canister filter is the more worth while choice if your able to afford/fit into your tank.
More flexible choices with the media is definitely a plus.

 

The canister may not provide oxygen since it doesn't splash.

Respectfully, splashing is not required for oxygen. The process of gas exchange is a result of surface agitation (keeping it moving), it does not need to be splashed around to exchange CO2 for oxygen, a rippling effect at the surface is just as effective as splashing

As pointed out by Ken, you can aI'm the spray bar toward the surface to create the required agitation (movement) to promote gas exchange.

 

Regardless of anything else, the thing that swung it for me was how quiet canister filters are, my tanks in my room so that was important, and you can barely hear it when it's running

 

Regardless of anything else, the thing that swung it for me was how quiet canister filters are, my tanks in my room so that was important, and you can barely hear it when it's running

I have two canister filters running and I don't even hear them.

 

My biggest gripe about HOB filters is the lack of media and customization. With my aqueon filters once the filter is clogged and can't be rinsed any more I have to throw it away...along with all the bacteria that is on it. And there is no place for media in that filter so you risk a minI cycle every time.

I know aquaclear makes theirs that contain separate sponges and media but it still is not a lot of surface space for the media and the sponges are very course...no option for a fine polishing pad.

These are the reasons I just purchased my first canister filter.

 

I just put a fluval 306 canister on my 46 gallon after having no luck with aquaclear or the fluval c4 HOB filters. they had either too much bypass or to noisy. my best purchase so far is that canister filter. ill admit I was timid about canisters but trust me, the hardest part about the whole set up was cutting the hoses. the rest is easy and canisters are vastly superior imho. they hold more media and are quieter as far as motor noise. they are a bit more involved as far as cleaning but easy when u get the hang of it and my water has never been this clear with any of the other HOB filters.

 

Hello I recently got my hands on a eheim pro 2 canister filter and was wondering if this is better than a regular hob like a bio wheel 350. Now on my 75 gal I have a sea life wet to dry filter that I am not pleased with just is to much of a pain for me and is not doing a good job. I was thinking on to getting 2 bio wheel 350 filter for it and ditch the wet to dry one , but my cousin had this canister filter and asked if I wanted it so I took it. Now the real question is this better than my wet to dry and better than a regular hob filter.


Here is a photo of it and yes the inlet and outlet is broken I will fix or just buy a new port

 

I have not tried one yet but the consensus is that the canisters are much better than the HOB's. Mainly because you can add your own choice of filtration media in the order you want. Also several seem to go for more than a month at a time (I have read that a few have gone 3 months) before needing to be serviced.

 

Yes but what about picking up the waste from the fish. That's the problem I have with the wet to dry filter.
Thank you for replying

 

Canister filter are way better then hob. They have little to no bypass. You choose your filter media. In my tank any free floating poop of food in 5 inch radius from intake get suck up. An for my hob the debris has get closer to get pick up by it.

 

5 inch radius huh.... what size piping is used for your out take

Thank you for replying

 

I am not aware of any filter that will pick up all the waste material from any given tank. In order to some what do that someone would have to build a minI Polaris (Pool Vacuum) to vacuum the tank constantly.

 

That would be amazing lol xD

 

5 inch radius huh.... what size piping is used for your out take

Thank you for replying

The tubing size is 5/8 inch. I forgot Welcome to fishlore.

 

Why thank you for the greeting and the info.

 

Your welcome!

 

Hey, nice bug build!!! Just finished a '71 Plymouth after almost 3 grueling years but VERY worth the wait. Anyway what size sealife wet/dry and why is it a problem? I've run wet/dry's and currently building another one for a large Freshwater tank. The benefits over an HOB or even canister are considered monumental by most fish keepersI know. But if you simply want to choose between and HOB vrs. canister definitely go with the canister. I currently have both in operation on one tank but use the AC70 for mostly mechanical and water polishing etc.. and let the canister, with a great prefilter, handle the biofiltration being filled with nothing but ceramic media which works well. Hope this helps.

 

I am not aware of any filter that will pick up all the waste material from any given tank. In order to some what do that someone would have to build a minI Polaris (Pool Vacuum) to vacuum the tank constantly.

If the type of fish you have love current, then powerheads do a fantastic job of keeping detritus kicked up in the water column. The filter intake snags whatever floats by and takes care of the rest.

Hey, nice bug build!!!

/looks at VDUBLOVE's avatar and smacks you in the arm... "SLUG BUG!"

 

Well as I am 3 bugs in a 4 years in the build mine is a little slow, but wiring harness will be in tomorrow xD anyway back to filters . Sir I could not tell you what size but it did come with my 75 gal. Also it was just the box and the hob part of the filter I had to make a siphon bit and outlet for it also got a fountain pump from home depot as my pump so really hard to keep just right. Btw I love your car choice nothin like a mopar build.

 

I have no idea what mamajin meant by that? I've been in plenty of fast bugs! I get it now with the wet/dry. I would always simply go with a canister first but I do use both on one tank like stated and it's always great to have two filters going for many reasons. There's nothing worse than11mpg unless your getting 600+ft. lbs. of torque out of the deal!!!

 

Oh jeeze, come on guys rofl. You've never played Slug Bug or Popeye? That's been around since I was a kid, and I'm almost 50 hehe.

Papajin and I play all the time when we're in the car. Who ever see's a VW Beatle first will lightly tap the other person and say "SLUG BUG!". SInce you cannot see them well at night, you play Popeye. The first person to see another car with only one working headlight gently taps the other person and says "POPEYE!". Papajin and I made up another one where if you see a car at night with no headlights on, you tap the other person and say "RAY CHARLES!"

 

Slug bug.. come on ever been in a low 9 1/4 mile bug.......I was scarred for my life when I was. And 600 foot pounds ......now is that straight motor or is it boosted. Also 2 filters on a tank is one bio and one mechanical filtration?

Oh like punch buggy.... I see but that was with later vw bugs.....The actual bug looking car.

 

NO mamajin the game is called padiddle! When you see a bug you punch the guy next to you but if it's a chick, preferably an attractive one, you give the young lady a BIG KISS!!! Yes that's fast and very scary for such a little car and it's a #'s matching naturally aspirated 440 cu.in. with a triple deuce thank you very much! It depends how its set up, both do a little of each but like said I have the canister doing 90% bio.

 

NO mamajin the game is called padiddle! When you see a bug you punch the guy next to you but if it's a chick, preferably an attractive one, you give the young lady a BIG KISS!!! Yes that's fast and very scary for such a little car and it's a #'s matching naturally aspirated 440 cu.in. with a triple deuce thank you very much! It depends how its set up, both do a little of each but like said I have the canister doing 90% bio.

I thought padiddle was the one with burned out headlights?

 

These games that I can not fathom. I'm a teenager ...... I only know of punch buggy. ... plus I'm in the south so ...maybe this is northerners stuff

 

Kids!?!? Darn, I think the shoe lady is right. Anyhoots I see your running slicks-'goin racing young man? Back to filters, take your time setting the tank up and do ALOT of research and I don't just mean this awesome forum. There is Sooooo much info out there if your not already looking but ask away, plenty of very knowledgeable people here-welcome.

 

As other have stated it is hard for most any filter to pick up debris off the tank bottom. I would suggest some ghost shrimp. They are great scavengers and will eat fish poop or whatever off the bottom and break it down even further so the filter can then clean it out of the water. They are super cheap and may occasionally get eaten by your fish depending on what you have. But that is just a natural healthy snack and at around $0.25 each at most petsmart/petcos they won't hurt your wallet too much. I would start with around 3-5 for a 10 gallon and maybe 10-20 for larger tanks like 50 gallons or more.

 

Yea I have some jack Dempsey and gouramis also some feeder fish and 3 snails
So idk if they would eat them but more than likely

 

NO mamajin the game is called padiddle! When you see a bug you punch the guy next to you but if it's a chick, preferably an attractive one, you give the young lady a BIG KISS!!! Yes that's fast and very scary for such a little car and it's a #'s matching naturally aspirated 440 cu.in. with a triple deuce thank you very much! It depends how its set up, both do a little of each but like said I have the canister doing 90% bio.

I thought padiddle was the one with burned out headlights?

I think it depends on where you're from as to what it's called. The people here in the burbs outside of Chicago call it Perdiddle (with an R), which I called Popeye when I was a kid back in Fayetteville North Carolina. Id never heard of Perdiddle in my life till I came here two years ago lol. We called the other game Slug Bug, for any VW Bug regardless of year or type. Papajin is relentless with Slug Bug and 95% of the time he wins (he'll ask me for directions or what time the store closes, and when I get on my cell phone to find an answer he strikes without mercy rofl). I win at Popeye though.

Honestly, weather you like canisters or HoB's is going to be a matter of preference. But I find that most who finally do break down and get a canister feel they'll never go back to HoB's. Canisters are the way to go imho.

 

Thank you mamajin for putting a big bow on that aspect of our lovely thread-I agree. I would just like to chime in on the, Keeping the bottom/substrate clean discussion. I have mentioned in another post about my researching/ building an, "undergravel jet system" so maybe put in a search for this and view an," s" page on these to get the jist. I spent the last week putting one of these together and according to MANY people who have these running on their tanks they do render substrate vacuuming/ maintenance a thing of the past and I came to find out from putting one together that's its not too complicated. Mamajin hinted to this type of theory with a bottom mounted powerhead, take a look see? Mine will be in operation this weekend and I tested it with a garden hose so go figure?

 

I use PFS sand so let me look at this set up and See how it works

 

Let me know what you think. Remember when you see this that the multiple jets positioning can be manipulated to not cause too much interference/ blowing of sand from what I've learned.

 

I don't know if I can deal with all the pipe showing. I'd my tank was clean I would show you I am going for a natural planted look

 

I am now looking in to the under gravel jet system. Found one link where the guy even uses clear tubing for the jets output and buries the system into the sand he has. In one picture I can only pick out one of the three jets he installed.

I have been gathered some information to study up on and make a design for a future tank my wife is trying to find for us. She is looking for a 125/150 gallon and this ugj design would help in lowering the maintenance of such a large tank.