Suggestions on canister filter brands

Hello,

I currently have a HOB filter on my 55 gallon tank (TetraTec PF300, no longer in production). Though it says it is rated up to 60 gallons, I know this is probably grossly exaggerated, and would like to upgrade my filtration before my tank is fully stocked (right now it only has six platys, a BN pleco, two assassin snails, six ghost shrimp, and a few too many ramshorns). Canister filters definitely seem to be the way to go, so that is what direction we think we'll go once we decide to purchase something.

I'd prefer to order a filter online, as prices are usually better that way. I've looked on Amazon, but there are only three or four brands available. Aquarium websites have a better selection, but I'd really like to avoid paying $30 shipping. We'd prefer to stay under $100 if possible, but I don't want to buy a shoddy filter and then just have to replace it again down the line.

So, what canister filters do you use now, or have used in the past? Are there models you recommend? Is there anything we should stay away from? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

Hello,

I use the Rena XP3 on my 55g. Great canister.

 

The renas are excellent filters. For the price though, you can't beat the Sunsuns. There are a TON of threads about which canister to get - if you read through them you'll be an expert

 

I've got an eheim 2217, fluval 205 and a cascade 1200. The cascade wins on power and price, but it can be a bit noisy. It's prone to air pockets. The eheim is super quiet but very clumsy and expensive. The fluval is efficient, well designed, but a little pricey.

It seems most people end up with brand loyalty with canisters.

 

I have a fluval 305 and a FX5, great filters. But my next one will be a sunsun. Good power, lots of room for media, come with uv sterilizer, and great price!

 

I just got 2 sunsun 304As off ebay for $89 a peice, free shipping. I only have one running right now extremely quiet. If you don't want to spend allot of money, sunsuns are the way to go.

 

I've had a Fluval (105), loved the media arrangement trays, priming feature and huge coarse filter sponge. I'd recommend a Fluval for anyone looking at the mid-range of the market (IMO) - They also leave a tray empty so you can put other non-standard media in it.

I have also had an Eheim Classic (2213) - I agree, they're a little clumsy, but super quiet and super efficient. The quick release fittings are nice and easy when it comes to maintenance.

I currently run an Eheim Pro (2222) - Best of the lot that I've owned. They are quite expensive (I got mine on sale otherwise never would have considered it). Great media tray arrangement. Quiet? You have to look for water movement to confirm it's running it's so quiet [It's not whisper quiet, it's dead quiet]

And although I love Eheim 'everything' - price aside, a couple of things I don't like.... Their user manuals/instructions are difficult to follow. They fill the canister so adding extra stuff to them is difficult, you have to take something out.

I would happily recommend either Fluval or Eheim - IMO if you've got the money, go the German Eheim.

 

Thanks for all the suggestions!

That brings up another concern I had...right now I have a fair amount of filter media in my HOB. I'd feel bad throwing it away, but it seems like most canisters don't have a lot of extra space for other media. Is this true of most canisters? Is it usually recommended to have both filters running for awhile, to establish a colony in the canister's media?

 

Thanks for all the suggestions!

That brings up another concern I had...right now I have a fair amount of filter media in my HOB. I'd feel bad throwing it away, but it seems like most canisters don't have a lot of extra space for other media. Is this true of most canisters? Is it usually recommended to have both filters running for awhile, to establish a colony in the canister's media?

You've got it backwards.....

Just put the HOB media in the canister and be done with the HOB.

 

I got the AquaTop Canister CF-400, 500 and both have lots of room. Plus if you get it on Amazon, it's free shipping or you get it directly from TruAqua and it also is free shipping...which you can't beat.

 

You've got it backwards.....

Just put the HOB media in the canister and be done with the HOB.

Ohh really? I can't imagine it would hold it all though, unless I'm drastically underestimating their size (I've never seen one in person). I have four large Tetra cartridges, one small one, and two small sponges. I'm not sure I could get anything to fit in the filter housing for the 10 gallon, and it would be a shame to throw away cycled media (assuming it ever cycles of course).

 

All that and more All the media in your HOB might fill half of a small canister.

 

You've got it backwards.....

Just put the HOB media in the canister and be done with the HOB.

Have to agree. I have an Aquatop, aka SunSun, 320. All the media from the Emperor 400 HOB fit in nicely WITH the media they give you. I get good filtration and the spraybar outflow reaches across the whole 55 gallon tank.
I haven't owned anything to compare it to. The plastic is a little flimsy so don't force anything. I've already lost all the filter tray handles. The unit is super quiet and never leaks.

 

Yeah, the baskets stick together REALLY well - not much bypass there....

 

Well, that's good to know. With what troubles I'm having cycling the darn thing in the first place, I'd like to keep all the media to seed future tanks with.

So, to clarify, SunSun and Aquatop are the same thing? I've seen Aquatop on Amazon, but haven't seen SunSun. If they are the same, they definitely seem cheaper than other models available. They're all four stars or higher, though there are (as always) people who hate them, too.

 

Well, that's good to know. With what troubles I'm having cycling the darn thing in the first place, I'd like to keep all the media to seed future tanks with.

So, to clarify, SunSun and Aquatop are the same thing? I've seen Aquatop on Amazon, but haven't seen SunSun. If they are the same, they definitely seem cheaper than other models available. They're all four stars or higher, though there are (as always) people who hate them, too.

Aquatop is the new name, Sun Sun the old. Sell on E-bay or Amazon.

 

There actually is a difference - the aquatops do not come with the surface skimming attachment, though it is plumbed for it. The ebay sunsuns (aka perfect) come with the surface skimmer.

 

There actually is a difference - the aquatops do not come with the surface skimming attachment, though it is plumbed for it. The ebay sunsuns (aka perfect) come with the surface skimmer.

When I go on E-Bay, I see my unit under Aquatop.

 

If you search for "canister filter", you'll find more than just the aquatops.


An example - you can see the skimmer in the pic

 

If you search for "canister filter", you'll find more than just the aquatops.


An example - you can see the skimmer in the pic

Skimmer? Isn't that just a spraybar?

 

No, the skimmer attaches to the filter intake and draws in water from the surface. In the pic in the link, you can see it sticking off of the intake.

 

No, the skimmer attaches to the filter intake and draws in water from the surface. In the pic in the link, you can see it sticking off of the intake.

Oh that. I never use mine.

 

It's really good for maintaining high levels of oxygen in the water. Oils and such accumulate on the surface and can interfere with the gas exchange. Keeping the surface clean promotes higher levels of oxygen in the water.

 

That isn't the same thing as a protein skimmer used for saltwater tanks, right?

Would you recommend getting an old SunSun from ebay over a new Aquatop from Amazon?

 

No, the saltwater ones are different I believe. I really don't know much about them though.

All of mine are ebay sunsuns, and I like the surface skimmer. I've had great customer service experiences with the ebay vendors.

 

OK, I'll chime in with two points.

Swapping media - when I upgraded from my Classic to the Pro, I took all the bio media from the classic and put it in the pro. With the extra empty space (the Pro has more room for media than the Classic), I filled with the new media that came with the pro. I would have taken sponges too, but they wouldn't fit in the shape I had.

Skimming - surface skimming and protein skimming are completely different topics/methods.
Protein skimming doesn't work in FW, it needs salt to work. Protein skimming is a method of injecting lots of micro bubbles into the water column. Dissolved Organic Compounds (DOCS) are attracted to the bubbles, and stick to them, as the bubbles rise up the skimmer, they are collected in a collection cup at the top of the skimmer. Protein Skimmers are, for all intents and purposes, the white wash you see when waves crash on the beach.

Surface skimming is like 'scooping' stuff off the top of the water, kind of like taking the skin off custard. Oils and other 'contaminants' can collect at the surface. The surface skimmer allows the 'gunk' to fall off the top of the water, into the skimming head, and down into the filter.

I hope that makes sense

 

I have 2 AquaTop CF-300's for my 60G tank. Awesome filters! They hold a ton of media....I put all of my old media from my AquaClear 70 in just 1 tray out of 3 trays...so it holds a ton. The AquaTop's are super quiet and my water is spotless. I got mine from amazon.com for around $50 each and free shipping.
I highly recommend the AquaTop filters.

 

Another vote for aquatop, great filters especially for the money.

 

Hmmm I may go with an Aquatop then, since technically all the SunSun votes go to Aquatop too The prices on those are definitely the best I saw on Amazon.

Ryan: ...huh, looks like I had no idea what protein skimmers were Thanks! One more reason I'm waaay far away from starting a saltwater tank (someday).

 

I have 2 AquaTop CF-300's for my 60G tank.

How many folks use two canisters on large tanks? Would I use 2 CF-400s on a 75?

 

How many folks use two canisters on large tanks? Would I use 2 CF-400s on a 75?

I do, and I would. I have an XP3 and a 400 on my 75.

 

Why is using two canisters recommended? With heaters for example, if you have two and one breaks, it's not as bad. Is it the same reasoning for having two canisters?

 

better filtration, better circulation, keeps the tank cleaner, longer periods between cleanings, and the fish love the circular current.

 

The CF400 only comes in the UV model. How necessary is that? Should I get two CF300s? Or a CF300 and a CF400UV?

I was also looking at a Fluval 405, only $120 on Amazon, but then I started reading about using two canisters...

 

The CF400 only comes in the UV model. How necessary is that? Should I get two CF300s? Or a CF300 and a CF400UV?

Not very but it can help with algae. If you don't want the uv it can be turned off independently from filtration.

 

For a 55, I would get two of the CF300's