Contemplating Canister Filter, Best To Get?

Before half of you screwballs go off on me about my UGF...

THE REASON I ASK....is I would like to try aquascaping and with what I have in mind, my UGF is just not suitable to accomplish what I would like to try...otherwise I would just stick with it... so

That being said what is the BEST Canister Filter for my 120g?

 

what can you afford?

 

For the price, I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Sunsun 304B, which is running on my 55 gallon.

I also have a Filstar XP3 running on my 100 gallon tank at the moment. Both are great and I have not had any problems.

 

what can you afford?

Let's not worry about that... let's worry about what's best for the fishies...

 

Let's not worry about that... let's worry about what's best for the fishies...

The bonus of the SunSun is the UV Sterilizer. So if you are thinking about health issues that might be the way to go... because it will not only keep your water crystal clear, but the UV will zap all the bacteria and parasites into oblivion! I usually run mine for a full day, once a week... AND anytime I add new fish/plants/inverts etc.

 

Let's not worry about that... let's worry about what's best for the fishies...

I run 2 canisters on each of my big tanks. I have an XP4 and a sunsun 304 (525 gph) on my 125. I highly recommend a 2 canister system - it will keep the tank cleaner and provide superior circulation. Setting them up so that they create a circular flow in the tank is a more natural current for the fish, as well.

While I love my sunsuns, I must disagree about the effectiveness of the UV. It is useless against parasites. The more complex the organism, the more exposure time to the bulb is needed to kill it. The flow rate to kill EVERYTHING must be very low. The exposure time of the water to the sunsuns UV bulb is minimal at best, and therefor is not capable of doing any more than preventing/curing green water. The real UV filters are corkscrewed, so that the water spends a maximum amount of time with the bulb.

 

Do all the SunSun have these UV Sterilizers?

 

Do all the SunSun have these UV Sterilizers?

Just the bigger ones, but see the edit to my previous post.

 

No ugf? Say it isn't so!? Lol

 

No ugf? Say it isn't so!? Lol

I'm sure he'll still recommend them to everyone

 

Do they have these canister with the corkscrewed flow and UV?

 

Doubt it... you would probably need to get a separate UV sterilizer that is designed just for that purpose.

Another bonus of the canister filters is that they are usually VERY quiet.

 

Do they have these canister with the corkscrewed flow and UV?

No, the turbo twists are the good UVs. The other factor in the equation is the wattage of the bulb - more powerful bulb is more effective.

 

So adding this to a SunSun Canister would be more sufficient?

 

It's not something that can be added to the filter.

 

When I meant added this to a SunSun... I was talking about the flow tubing or apparently this is its own separate entity...

I was doing a Google search on best canister filters another FL thread popped up with you also suggesting...

"If you have past experience with canister filters, eheims really aren't that complicated. I would recommend you buy an eheim 2217 to run in conjunction with your fluval 306. In the event you have trouble with assembly, I'd be glad to help with that as well."

THEN...

"That's like asking "what's the best car manufacturer?" Everyone has their preferences, but really, what's best for one person may not be what's best for another. What's best for YOU and your tank is a function of your needs, and what's in your wallet.

I think the Rena XP canisters are the best, though for the money you can't beat the sunsuns (aquatop, perfect, etc)

There are 3 sizes.

I have experience with 5 brands of canisters, though Eheims are not one of them, so I cannot speak to them. They do have a hardcore following, though I wonder how many have tried other brands."

LoL apparently even Google thinks your the man to talk too...

 

The latter is me . I recognize my posts anywhere. I do love my canisters - got 12 of them.

 

I have an eheim ecco 60 gallonon my 29. I was quite happy with the price and nothing looks like it's going to fall apart. Putting it together was easy, it doesn't create a huge current in my tank for the turnover rate, even without a spraybar, and I'm loving the bioballs. Oh..and I never hear the thing run, unlike the HOB.

*gasp* He's going away from the UGF! The apocalypse has come!

 

I considered getting eheim but to be frank, I didn't like the green tubing and intake/outtake. I prefer my black and clear fluval.

 

The only cannisters I have experience with are Fluvals. I've been very happy with both that I've used (formally a 205 and currently a 306). I would never buy an eheim, because I can't figure out how to pronounce it! (but I have heard they are good)

 

I like the UGF! I'm into retro filtration techniques.

 

I would probably run UGF myself, but I <3 sand subsrate.

I'm actually going to be picking up a sunsun canister for my 55 gallon in the next week or so -- I've read mostly positive reviews on them, and for the price, you just can't go wrong.
The only negative I've heard about them is that the up and outtake tubes are a bit flimsy. But nothing a DIYer like myself can't fix up.

 

Yes, the intake and spraybar pieces are not the highest quality, but they provide more than you need. In the event that you break a piece without a duplicate, the eBay sellers I've dealt with have sent the needed piece out immediately at no charge - excellent customer service.

You just have to be gentile with it. Once it's together in you tank, it's not going to break.

 

Yes, the intake and spraybar pieces are not the highest quality, but they provide more than you need. In the event that you break a piece without a duplicate, the eBay sellers I've dealt with have sent the needed piece out immediately at no charge - excellent customer service.

You just have to be gentile with it. Once it's together in you tank, it's not going to break.

What eBay store/seller are you using please

 

I used a few. I'm at "work" though so it's tough to find that info on the phone. If I had to pull two names right now I would say kool goods and discountaquatics.

When looking at the filters, there is a subtle difference. One comes with a built in surface skimmer and the other does not. Not that you have to use the skimmer. There is an off shoot off the intake near the top. The ones with the skimmer have extra pieces, including a small tube with outward prongs. That's the skimmer piece. The others just have a cap on the off shoot. I like the skimmers. So, when looking at the pics in the descriptions, you'll see it there or you won't. I bought one without by accident - didn't know they all didn't come with it. Wrote the guy an email and he told me it didn't come with the attachment, but 2 days later one showed up in the mail

The small boat I'm working on

 

I used a few. I'm at "work" though so it's tough to find that info on the phone. If I had to pull two names right now I would say kool goods and discountaquatics.

When looking at the filters, there is a subtle difference. One comes with a built in surface skimmer and the other does not. Not that you have to use the skimmer. There is an off shoot off the intake near the top. The ones with the skimmer have extra pieces, including a small tube with outward prongs. That's the skimmer piece. The others just have a cap on the off shoot. I like the skimmers. So, when looking at the pics in the descriptions, you'll see it there or you won't. I bought one without by accident - didn't know they all didn't come with it. Wrote the guy an email and he told me it didn't come with the attachment, but 2 days later one showed up in the mail

The small boat I'm working on

I can has ur job kthxbai...

 

Okay which one is best?... weird I just spent 80 dollars on a Whisper AP 300 air pump, this isn't much more...

 

I'd get the SunSun 304B for your size tank. More GPH=gooooood \\ that's 4.3 turn overs an hour!

 

Definitely the 303 or 304 for a 120 gallon.

 

I can't seem to locate a 305 model.

On a side note I just did the math and my 29 is being turned over almost 10 times an hour right now... issat overkill? lol

 

I'm sorry. I meant the 303 /304 model.

/facepalm

 

I'd get the SunSun 304B for your size tank. More GPH=gooooood \\ that's 4.3 turn overs an hour!

In my opinion that is not enough. We're it my tank, I would get 2 of the 304s. Soon I will be getting a second 125 and that is exactly what it will have. But, I expect more from my filtration systems than most people.

10x is not too much.

 

my 125 gallon filters, filter 1200 GPH

it has..
fluval fx5 canister
jbj canister
AC 110 HOB

the more the better...

 

In my opinion that is not enough. We're it my tank, I would get 2 of the 304s. Soon I will be getting a second 125 and that is exactly what it will have. But, I expect more from my filtration systems than most people.

10x is not too much.

I've always just sort of gone off of 4x being 'sufficient'. I like to over filter as well. (obviously)

 

What's up with this reiculously priced canister?

 

What's up with this reiculously priced canister?

It's PROFESSIONAL! lol

I've always just sort of gone off of 4x being 'sufficient'. I like to over filter as well. (obviously)

Heck I may just ditch the sponge filter after I'm done seeding this one sponge and add a sunsun to run with my Fluval C3. The UV and extra canister goodness... Though I still run into the problem of hiding the canister.

 

I've always just sort of gone off of 4x being 'sufficient'. I like to over filter as well. (obviously)

Yes, the 4x is likely to be sufficient - the filter can hold an enormous amount of media. However, maintaining water quality is not the only thing I ask of my filters. They must suck up all the waste in the tank, provide excellent circulation, and not need servicing more than twice a year.

 

So seriously if any of you had a grand to put into a canister filter you would get 2 SunSun 304B stage 5 canisters?

 

Yes, the 4x is likely to be sufficient - the filter can hold an enormous amount of media. However, maintaining water quality is not the only thing I ask of my filters. They must suck up all the waste in the tank, provide excellent circulation, and not need servicing more than twice a year.

After seeing some of your pictures of your substrate -- I'd have to say your method is working for you quite nicely!

 

So seriously if any of you had a grand to put into a canister filter you would get 2 SunSun 304B stage 5 canisters?

I do and I will, for the new 125.