Recommend Canister

HI everyone, been away from Fishlore for a while, it's been a crazy few months in everything except the fish, which have thankfully been just doing their thing without problems. I've missed you all! The baby bristlenose has grown huge and the c. SterbaI are spawning like mad, and the exploding shrimp colony seems to have settled to a fixed size (phew!! That was starting to seem like War of the Worlds was upon me)

My main concern for now is filtration in the 35 gallon. I'm running 2 internal filters with wool/sponge/bactrox media layers and they are no doubt woefully inadequate. It's managing a cycle well enough, it's just that I end up with a lot of tiny particulates visible in the water by the end of each week when I go to change the water and the wool is pure mud by that time. I think I might need to step up to a canister filter but I haven't had one for 20+ years since my teens. Everything will be so different now!

So what's good? What's easy to use, and most importantly what's NOT going to spill water all over my lounge room when I try to pull it apart or change any media? I don't mind saving up for a more expensive one, as I say, I just want it to be easy and not wet my carpet

Look forward to hearing any starting tips to direct my research. Thanks so much guys!

(Off to see what everyone has been up to, look at all your cool pics!)

 

I personally use Marineland Magniflow Canister Filter is fast and easy to Maintenance..

 

HI everyone, been away from Fishlore for a while, it's been a crazy few months in everything except the fish, which have thankfully been just doing their thing without problems. I've missed you all! The baby bristlenose has grown huge and the c. SterbaI are spawning like mad, and the exploding shrimp colony seems to have settled to a fixed size (phew!! That was starting to seem like War of the Worlds was upon me)

My main concern for now is filtration in the 35 gallon. I'm running 2 internal filters with wool/sponge/bactrox media layers and they are no doubt woefully inadequate. It's managing a cycle well enough, it's just that I end up with a lot of tiny particulates visible in the water by the end of each week when I go to change the water and the wool is pure mud by that time. I think I might need to step up to a canister filter but I haven't had one for 20+ years since my teens. Everything will be so different now!

So what's good? What's easy to use, and most importantly what's NOT going to spill water all over my lounge room when I try to pull it apart or change any media? I don't mind saving up for a more expensive one, as I say, I just want it to be easy and not wet my carpet

Look forward to hearing any starting tips to direct my research. Thanks so much guys!

(Off to see what everyone has been up to, look at all your cool pics!)

I have a tank your size. I use and recommend a Cascade 1000. It flows about 256 gph. It is extremely easy to use and maintain. It keeps my tank very clear and you only have to clean the internal media by squishing it in dechlorinated water about every 1 1/2 to 2 months. And it only costs just under $70.00 through mail order. Just typy Cascade 1000 filters into Google and it will give you a list of companies and their prices for it.

 

I’d recommend any canister by SunSun, they are one of the best.
Plus, if you don’t want water spilling everywhere, just put a tote container underneath the canister. That also helps for leaks, or general spills.

 

I have both a Cascade 1000 on one tank and a Sunsun on another. I had to use my mouth to suck water through the Sunsun to prime it. The Cascade has a primer button. The Cascade is easier to maintain and filters better than mu Sunsun.

I have a tank your size. I use and recommend a Cascade 1000. It flows about 256 gph. It is extremely easy to use and maintain. It keeps my tank very clear and you only have to clean the internal media by squishing it in dechlorinated water about every 1 1/2 to 2 months. And it only costs just under $70.00 through mail order. Just typy Cascade 1000 filters into Google and it will give you a list of companies and their prices for it.

 

I’d recommend any canister by SunSun, they are one of the best.
Plus, if you don’t want water spilling everywhere, just put a tote container underneath the canister. That also helps for leaks, or general spills.

*facepalm*

The tote is so obvious now that you say it! Crikey I'm laughing at how silly I feel. I'm going to be giggling all night about this! Thanks for the canister tip too

I have a tank your size. I use and recommend a Cascade 1000. It flows about 256 gph. It is extremely easy to use and maintain. It keeps my tank very clear and you only have to clean the internal media by squishing it in dechlorinated water about every 1 1/2 to 2 months. And it only costs just under $70.00 through mail order. Just typy Cascade 1000 filters into Google and it will give you a list of companies and their prices for it.

Sounds great, I will check it out

I personally use Marineland Magniflow Canister Filter is fast and easy to Maintenance..

Thanks! I will have a look!

I have both a Cascade 1000 on one tank and a Sunsun on another. I had to use my mouth to suck water through the Sunsun to prime it. The Cascade has a primer button. The Cascade is easier to maintain and filters better than mu Sunsun.

Ah, that's a good tip! I avoid sucking any fish pipes and tubes at all costs

 

Ah, that's a good tip! I avoid sucking any fish pipes and tubes at all costs

Marineland Magniflow has primer button too

 

I have 3 penn Plax canisters and am happy with them. I use the cascade 700 on my 40 gallon tank and have a 700 and 1000 on my 75. I also use the tote method.

Notes:
The cascades will not prime if they are full of water, just FYI.
If you open the canister, do it over not carpeted floors.
When you disconnect the intake/outtake tubes, a very small amount of water drips out.

 

Cascade and Marineland are both excellent canister filters. Check pricing.

Ah, that's a good tip! I avoid sucking any fish pipes and tubes at all costs

 

Thanks everyone for some good tips and suggestions. I've missed the forum, I should make myself come for therapy reasons even if everything else is crazy hectic and the fish are taking a back seat.

I'm going to go do some research... hope to have something up and running in a few weeks!

 

I recommend ehiem classics. Not too incredibly high of flow to blow your plants around like crazy. They last forever. Very simple design.

 

I started with HOB's, then decided to make the switch to a canister for my 55. Thought about price of course, quite a few members like the SunSun for the $'s. During my research and the reviews, I decided on Eheims. I now have them on all my tanks, from the 2211 up to the 2217. A few more $$'s but well worth it (especially catching them on sale). Set-up and forget for 2-3 months. Good Luck with whatever you decide.

 

Great info thanks! I know we definitely have Eheim here in Aus. It can be a bit hit and miss with other brands. I'm loving the sound of not cleaning the filter weekly!!!

 

HI everyone, so the LFS near me with the widest range of dry goods seems to have the choice between eheim, fluval and an Italian brand I'd not heard of before, Sicce.

I'm leaning towards the Sicce Whale. There is a model that is specified for 25-50 gallons (flow rate 190gal) or the next size up specifies 50-90 gallons (flow rate 330gal)

My tank is 35 gallons. Is there any benefit to having the bigger size filter or will it just blast the fish about too much? Appreciate any advice on the sizes! Thanks!

 

HI everyone, so the LFS near me with the widest range of dry goods seems to have the choice between eheim, fluval and an Italian brand I'd not heard of before, Sicce.

I'm leaning towards the Sicce Whale. There is a model that is specified for 25-50 gallons (flow rate 190gal) or the next size up specifies 50-90 gallons (flow rate 330gal)

My tank is 35 gallons. Is there any benefit to having the bigger size filter or will it just blast the fish about too much? Appreciate any advice on the sizes! Thanks!

I recommend that on average, you turn over your aquarium volume four times per hour. This means that if you have a 35 gallon tank, you need a pump and filter with flow rates of around 140 gph.