Two Aquaclear 110s Vs Fluval Fx4

Hello,

We are getting a new to us 90 gallon tank this weekend, yippee! It does come with a Rena Filstar canister filter (not sure exactly which size, but it looked to be possibly a large?). We are thinking about getting new filtration for the tank. We’ve only had small tanks before, so I’m only familiar with HOBs.

I would love to try the Fluval FX4, but it’s quite pricey. My husband is hoping we can do two Aquaclear 110s instead. I’m a bit worried with the depth of the tank, that HOBs won’t be as effective? What do you think? What are the pros and cons?

 

I lengthened the tube on my aquaclear 110 using canister filter hose, onto a sponge prefilter, its possible to do, plus you can buy extensions on Amazon. I did mine the cheap way as I needed the filter in a hurry. Canisters are great, but a pain to clean. Mine takes about 2 hours to clean properly. My aquaclear takes only about half hour to dismantle, clean and prime.
What you could do, is run the canister alongside an aquaclear, then decide which one you prefer.

 

I lengthened the tube on my aquaclear 110 using canister filter hose, onto a sponge prefilter, its possible to do, plus you can buy extensions on Amazon. I did mine the cheap way as I needed the filter in a hurry. Canisters are great, but a pain to clean. Mine takes about 2 hours to clean properly. My aquaclear takes only about half hour to dismantle, clean and prime.
What you could do, is run the canister alongside an aquaclear, then decide which one you prefer.

That’s a good point. I’ve been reading up on the maintenance of canister filters, and it’s making me a bit nervous. Not sure if I’m up to the task?

We’ve got an AC 7o for a 29 gallon tank, and I just ordered an extension tube for the intake. What prefilter sponge do you use on your AC 110? I’ve been using the Fluval Edge prefilter sponge for my AC 20 and another small HOB. I don’t think it’ll fit on the AC 70/110 as their tubes are wider?

Do you think two AC 110s would work well for our 90 gallon with the extension tubes? I believe the tank is about 24 inches deep. Or should I suck it up and learn to use/maintain a canister? Which filter would be better for the tank?

 

Hello,

We are getting a new to us 90 gallon tank this weekend, yippee! It does come with a Rena Filstar canister filter (not sure exactly which size, but it looked to be possibly a large?). We are thinking about getting new filtration for the tank. We’ve only had small tanks before, so I’m only familiar with HOBs.

I would love to try the Fluval FX4, but it’s quite pricey. My husband is hoping we can do two Aquaclear 110s instead. I’m a bit worried with the depth of the tank, that HOBs won’t be as effective? What do you think? What are the pros and cons?

Hello Fish...

Avoid the canister filters. They're pricey and complicated to service. They're not any better than the HOBs. The idea of the Hagen filters is the better one. Remember, filters don't clean the tank water very well, they just mix oxygen into the water by moving it at the surface. To maintain good water conditions, you should remove and replace at least half the water weekly. This will remove the dissolved waste material and dilute what's left to a healthier level. Do this every week and you'll have no tank problems.

Old

 

I bought mine from Amazon
Filter-Max III Prefilter by Aquarium Technology

I actually have 2, they have multiple fittings and I have the second one on my canister filter. They clog quick if you have plants, I generally squeeze mine out into tank water on water change days. Saves your main filter from getting clogged up quickly. I generally clean my filters once a month.

Canisters are easy, just get a self priming one and you're all set. If you get one with baskets, and it cleans from the bottom up, then my method of media stacking is :

Course, medium then fine sponges in bottom basket and a purigen pouch (I have pot scrubbers and ceramic hoops in the very base for particulate holding and even dispersion of water. Then second tray up I have polyfil, and ceramic hoops. Third basket I have polyfil, seachem matrix and crushed shells for buffering (I have snails) 4th basket I have polyfil, matrix and another purigen pouch for water clarity. When cleaning I chuck out all the polyfil and replace it. I swish the bags of matrix gently in tank water. Same with hoops. Sponges get a good wringing out til I can't see poop in them, in tank water too. Potscrubbers the same. Its easy enough, just time consuming. I normally use about half the 55 gallon tanks water when cleaning but my canister is a monster 304bhwsunsun. Cheap, cheerful but works like a dream. I've used eheim in the past.

Edit: my canister cost less than my aquaclear 110 to buy. Cost more to fill though.

Aqua clears are good too, and take less time to clean. I cycled mine instantly with ceramic hoops from my canister but the 40 gallon my aqua clear is on only has 2 Angel's 2 juvie Raphaels in and a bumblebee cat.

 

Hello Fish...

Avoid the canister filters. They're pricey and complicated to service. They're not any better than the HOBs. The idea of the Hagen filters is the better one. Remember, filters don't clean the tank water very well, they just mix oxygen into the water by moving it at the surface. To maintain good water conditions, you should remove and replace at least half the water weekly. This will remove the dissolved waste material and dilute what's left to a healthier level. Do this every week and you'll have no tank problems.

Old

Thanks, Old! It’s good to know that the performance won’t be lacking with just the HOBs. We currently do 50% water changes weekly on our little tank. Was wondering if the larger tank would need the same perecentage of water changed. Cheers!

I bought mine from Amazon
Filter-Max III Prefilter by Aquarium Technology

I actually have 2, they have multiple fittings and I have the second one on my canister filter. They clog quick if you have plants, I generally squeeze mine out into tank water on water change days. Saves your main filter from getting clogged up quickly. I generally clean my filters once a month.

Canisters are easy, just get a self priming one and you're all set. If you get one with baskets, and it cleans from the bottom up, then my method of media stacking is :

Course, medium then fine sponges in bottom basket and a purigen pouch (I have pot scrubbers and ceramic hoops in the very base for particulate holding and even dispersion of water. Then second tray up I have polyfil, and ceramic hoops. Third basket I have polyfil, seachem matrix and crushed shells for buffering (I have snails) 4th basket I have polyfil, matrix and another purigen pouch for water clarity. When cleaning I chuck out all the polyfil and replace it. I swish the bags of matrix gently in tank water. Same with hoops. Sponges get a good wringing out til I can't see poop in them, in tank water too. Potscrubbers the same. Its easy enough, just time consuming. I normally use about half the 55 gallon tanks water when cleaning but my canister is a monster 304bhwsunsun. Cheap, cheerful but works like a dream. I've used eheim in the past.

Edit: my canister cost less than my aquaclear 110 to buy. Cost more to fill though.

Aqua clears are good too, and take less time to clean. I cycled mine instantly with ceramic hoops from my canister but the 40 gallon my aqua clear is on only has 2 Angel's 2 juvie Raphaels in and a bumblebee cat.

Ok, I see, so it’s just about opening it up and rinsing the media mostly. Do you have to scrub the tubing as well for your canisters? Is that hard to do? Darn, that link to amazon looks like they don’t have that prefilter for the Canadian site.

 

You can get a hose brush for about 3 bucks. I don't do my hoses every time, every 3 months or so

 

You can get a hose brush for about 3 bucks. I don't do my hoses every time, every 3 months or so

Great! Thank you, the maintenance doesn’t sound that scary now. We are still on the fence on what to get. It’s nice to know that the AC 110s would do the trick, be easy to maintain. Still curious about the Fx4, is it really the bees knees of filtration? It would be more cost effective for us to go with the ACs.

 

Petsmart has a sale on Fluval canister filters. Not sure if they're in Canada though.

The best feature of the FX4 is the utility valve. Makes water changes a breeze if you buy some 1/2" ID hose to reach your sink or toilet. I fill a 32g Brute garbage can to treat and the FX4 sucks water out of it to fill the tank.

 

Petsmart has a sale on Fluval canister filters. Not sure if they're in Canada though.

The best feature of the FX4 is the utility valve. Makes water changes a breeze if you buy some 1/2" ID hose to reach your sink or toilet. I fill a 32g Brute garbage can to treat and the FX4 sucks water out of it to fill the tank.

We just got a python water changer, so I think we’ll use that. So if we don’t use the utility valve, is the Fx4 worth it? What do you like/dislike about yours?

 

It can hold tons of bio media which makes for a more stable tank. I really can't think of anything I dislike about it. It's on a 75 gallon and flow is very good. I think it's better than 2 large HOBs. I have the rear of the tops cut out so very minimal space for any fish to jump out of.

 

I don't really agree with Old, canister filters can be the quietest and most efficient way to filter a tank outside of a wet/dry system or sump but they can require more work. I use a FX6 and FX4 on our 150 gallon and the only thing that I would consider doing differently is using a sump instead of canisters but that involves its own challenges.

 

Thanks, Old! It’s good to know that the performance won’t be lacking with just the HOBs. We currently do 50% water changes weekly on our little tank. Was wondering if the larger tank would need the same perecentage of water changed. Cheers!

Fish...

Yes. They do. Water that's constantly moving through a filtering system will go through some chemical changes in just a few days. Elements in the water will change, especially those that are affected by oxygen in the air and nitrogen (fish waste) in the water. These elements are needed by the fish and the plants. By changing out a lot of tank water regularly, you remove pollution and replenish normal water elements. The 50 percent or more changed weekly will guarantee a steady water chemistry.

Old

 

It can hold tons of bio media which makes for a more stable tank. I really can't think of anything I dislike about it. It's on a 75 gallon and flow is very good. I think it's better than 2 large HOBs. I have the rear of the tops cut out so very minimal space for any fish to jump out of.

Ok, so I’m guessing you can fit more biomedia into one FX4 than two AC 110s? What do you do for surface agitation? Does the FX4 do it all? Do you need to install a spray bar? Or a back up sponge filter? Sorry if I’m over thinking this, I just want to make the right choice before we spend a couple hundred dollars.

I don't really agree with Old, canister filters can be the quietest and most efficient way to filter a tank outside of a wet/dry system or sump but they can require more work. I use a FX6 and FX4 on our 150 gallon and the only thing that I would consider doing differently is using a sump instead of canisters but that involves its own challenges.

I’ve only ever used HOBs and all I’ve done is rinse the media in old tank water and my husband has rinsed and cleaned the intake tube as best he can. How much more work is the maintenance on the Fx4 in your opinion?

Fish...

Yes. They do. Water that's constantly moving through a filtering system will go through some chemical changes in just a few days. Elements in the water will change, especially those that are affected by oxygen in the air and nitrogen (fish waste) in the water. These elements are needed by the fish and the plants. By changing out a lot of tank water regularly, you remove pollution and replenish normal water elements. The 50 percent or more changed weekly will guarantee a steady water chemistry.

Old

That all makes sense! I’ve been seeing recommendations of smaller water changes, but I can really see my fish enjoy the fresh water and the parameters always hold steady. I will continue to change 50% of the water weekly with confidence. Thank you!

 

I’ve only ever used HOBs and all I’ve done is rinse the media in old tank water and my husband has rinsed and cleaned the intake tube as best he can. How much more work is the maintenance on the Fx4 in your opinion?

It is more involved but they hold significantly more media. There are some YouTube videos out there that will give you an idea of what is involved, here is one:

We clean our filters every other week and do 20% water changes monthly on our 150. Our tank is heavily planted and we also use re-mineralized RO water.

 

Wow! That video is super helpful, thanks so much for sharing. It does seem to catch a lot of junk. The cleaning didn’t seem too overwhelming. I see that the biomedia is not bagged, just loose in the trays. Would using media bags restrict the flow through the filter?

 

The FX4 comes with an adjustable output nozzle that you can direct. I have one pointing upwards to agitate the surface.




If it's too much flow, you can buy the output from a FX6. The wider openings will slow the water output.



Maintenace is more involved than an HOB but you only do it once a month or every other month depending on your stocking. I know some guys go 3-6 months before cleaning their FX4/6. I've only had mine for 2 months and I haven't cleaned it yet. You really need to clean a HOB every week.

There's 2 schools of thought about large water changes. My issue is that if the water chemistry or parameters are different than your tank, a large change can shock your fish and possibly kill them. I generally do 15-30% changes for all my tanks. This also depends on the stock and water quality in the tank. I was doing 50-75% changes every other day in my 20 gallon fry grow out tank because fry need pristine water quality. Most normally stocked tanks only need 25% changes weekly.

 

The FX4 comes with an adjustable output nozzle that you can direct. I have one pointing upwards to agitate the surface.

View attachment 428770

If it's too much flow, you can buy the output from a FX6. The wider openings will slow the water output.
View attachment 428771

Maintenace is more involved than an HOB but you only do it once a month or every other month depending on your stocking. I know some guys go 3-6 months before cleaning their FX4/6. I've only had mine for 2 months and I haven't cleaned it yet. You really need to clean a HOB every week.

There's 2 schools of thought about large water changes. My issue is that if the water chemistry or parameters are different than your tank, a large change can shock your fish and possibly kill them. I generally do 15-30% changes for all my tanks. This also depends on the stock and water quality in the tank. I was doing 50-75% changes every other day in my 20 gallon fry grow out tank because fry need pristine water quality. Most normally stocked tanks only need 25% changes weekly.

Fantastic, I am learning so much! Thanks for the photos too, helps me understand what to look for. My tap parameters have always been steady, so perhaps that’s why my fish have enjoyed the weekly 50% water changes. I can see how that could turn deadly though, if something were to suddenly change.

 

One tip from a water utility worker was to do water changes at night because if they add anything to treat the water supply, it's usually done in the morning and flushes out by evening.

 

I would not agree that you should avoid canister filters. I am a big fan of both HOB's and canisters and have BOTH on all my tanks ... except the fry tank where I have neither (I have only sponge filters or internal air-powered media filters).

HOB's are great ... but if you get a good one like the AquaClear - you WILL have to clean it more often than the canister. However, as stated, they are a bit easier to clean.

Cannisters ... when it comes to surface area of biomedia - I don't see how you can beat them other than with a sump or a wet-dry filter.

Example - I like all my filters to be extremely clean. I have two canisters and one AC 110 on a 72-gallon tank with four large goldfish.

I have to clean the AC 110 every week and a half at least and, since I only clean on weekends, that means I clean it every weekend.

The canisters will last three weeks before they need cleaning - and now they may actually last months since I put "filter boosters" on the input of each one. Filter boosters are essentially very large prefilters that resemble small canister filters. However, they have no moving parts and only sponge and other types of mechanical media. THEY ARE EASIER TO CLEAN THAN HOB's. And since all the mechanical filtration is done in the filter booster - I fill my canisters with nothing but BIO-MEDIA. Certain types of biomedia will actually reduce nitrates, if you have enough of it ... like a whole canister filter filled with it or, like me ... TWO canisters full of it.

Canisters give you flexibility that you simply can't get from an HOB.

 

I would not agree that you should avoid canister filters. I am a big fan of both HOB's and canisters and have BOTH on all my tanks ... except the fry tank where I have neither (I have only sponge filters or internal air-powered media filters).

HOB's are great ... but if you get a good one like the AquaClear - you WILL have to clean it more often than the canister. However, as stated, they are a bit easier to clean.

Cannisters ... when it comes to surface area of biomedia - I don't see how you can beat them other than with a sump or a wet-dry filter.

Example - I like all my filters to be extremely clean. I have two canisters and one AC 110 on a 72-gallon tank with four large goldfish.

I have to clean the AC 110 every week and a half at least and, since I only clean on weekends, that means I clean it every weekend.

The canisters will last three weeks before they need cleaning - and now they may actually last months since I put "filter boosters" on the input of each one. Filter boosters are essentially very large prefilters that resemble small canister filters. However, they have no moving parts and only sponge and other types of mechanical media. THEY ARE EASIER TO CLEAN THAN HOB's. And since all the mechanical filtration is done in the filter booster - I fill my canisters with nothing but BIO-MEDIA. Certain types of biomedia will actually reduce nitrates, if you have enough of it ... like a whole canister filter filled with it or, like me ... TWO canisters full of it.

Canisters give you flexibility that you simply can't get from an HOB.

Oh my goodness, I knew you guys would have all the answers! Now I’m clueless and I’m googling “aquarium filter booster” and it’s not showing me anything that makes sense. Can you give me the name of the one you like to use? I can look it up and see if I can find them in Canada.

Will I need a HOB and a canister? I was hoping to that the FX4 would do the job well on its own? I am thinking of adding two sponge filters as back up for power outages. I have found an air pump that works up to 55 gallons (so I might get one for each sponge filter) that uses a/c power. It apparently can sense a power cut and then will switch to battery power. We had a power cut right before we left for a vacation. We delayed leaving until the power came back on. For about two hours I was standing there pouring cups of tank water back into the tank for surface agitation every 10 minutes. Would hate for the power to go out while we’re on holiday and come back to fish that suffocated

 

I use bags on my canister and my aquaclear. Doesn't impede flow at all. I could probably leave cleaning my canister for 2 or 3 months but there's no way I could leave the aquaclear for that long.

 

Will I need a HOB and a canister?

Well ... you have to ask yourself what kind of fish keeper you are.

A. The fishkeeper that wants a beautiful and silent tank and a streamlined look or ...

B. The "tinkerer" fishkeeper who could give two flips about how it all looks and just wants to see if he can produce the most pristine environment possible.

If you are "Type A" - that's AWESOME ... you won't need two filters, so pick what you think is best. Get a larger size than you need though ... whether it's canister or not.

If you are "Type B" - that's AWESOME ... then yes ... you need two filters because the "scientist" in you will demand it!

I am "Type B" ... LOL

You have it right with the sponges but I think you mean that your air pump is DC powered right? If it's AC, it will go off with whatever other filters you have during a power outage.

Since I live in a hurricane zone ... I have a generator and truthfully, it doesn't get much use for hurricanes alone so I break it out and run the tanks on it if I get a power outage.

I'm sure the "TYPE B" in me will eventually demand for me to come up with some kind of "uninterruptible power supply" that I will have to attach to my tanks.

Much to the chagrin of my wife.

 

Well ... you have to ask yourself what kind of fish keeper you are.

A. The fishkeeper that wants a beautiful and silent tank and a streamlined look or ...

B. The "tinkerer" fishkeeper who could give two flips about how it all looks and just wants to see if he can produce the most pristine environment possible.

If you are "Type A" - that's AWESOME ... you won't need two filters, so pick what you think is best. Get a larger size than you need though ... whether it's canister or not.

If you are "Type B" - that's AWESOME ... then yes ... you need two filters because the "scientist" in you will demand it!

I am "Type B" ... LOL

You have it right with the sponges but I think you mean that your air pump is DC powered right? If it's AC, it will go off with whatever other filters you have during a power outage.

Can I be both? Lol, I’d like the tank to look nice, but the health of the fish take priority. The ad for the pump says it’s both AC and DC. It’s supposed to use electricity and then switch to battery power when it senses the electricity is out. Not sure if it will actually work, the reviews didn’t look super positive, but it’s the only pump I found that claimed to do what I was looking for. Haven’t hooked it up yet. Waiting on my sponge filter order to come in. I found Swiss Tropical poret sponge filters in Canada!

I don’t think I can push the filter budget more than an Fx4 and two sponge filters and air pumps. My husband would absolutely balk at me also investing in a HOB on top of the other filters. Which I understand, we’re a young family with not a lot of disposable income, but hubby is trying to support me and our son’s interest in fish.

 

To be honest, I don't understand the fascination with the FX4 - which costs like almost $300 and looks like a real bear to clean.

Filtration is not a complicated endeavor and I just think if your canister filter resembles a nuclear reactor ... it's probably a bit much.

I KNOW I'll get yelled at for saying it ... but I've found the cheapo Chinese canisters to work just fine and produce crystal clear water. Maybe they're noisier than the expensive ones? I don't know - but I can only really hear my canister if I listen real hard ... or on those occasions they "belch" out a bit of air (which I would be angry about if I had an FX4 that I paid $300 bucks for if it even did it once). I use Cascade canisters ... others swear by SunSun. My Cascade 1500 has FIVE media trays and cost $130 bucks. If it breaks ... I have another in the garage because ... well they're cheap. So $260 bucks I have a canister - and an immediate replacement if it breaks for about the price I'd pay for an FX4.

FX4 are PRETTY canisters ... I'll give 'em that. However, I'm NOT a poor fishkeeper and recently "splurged" for a $250 Vortex Diatom filter that I only use ONCE a week for about two hours on each tank. Sooo ... it's REAL EASY to sell me expensive stuff.

If I thought the FX4 would give me any appreciable advantage - even a negligible one (LOL) I would buy one right now on Amazon.

 

To be honest, I don't understand the fascination with the FX4 - which costs like almost $300 and looks like a real bear to clean.

Filtration is not a complicated endeavor and I just think if your canister filter resembles a nuclear reactor ... it's probably a bit much.

I KNOW I'll get yelled at for saying it ... but I've found the cheapo Chinese canisters to work just fine and produce crystal clear water. Maybe they're noisier than the expensive ones? I don't know - but I can only really hear my canister if I listen real hard ... or on those occasions they "belch" out a bit of air (which I would be angry about if I had an FX4 that I paid $300 bucks for if it even did it once). I use Cascade canisters ... others swear by SunSun. My Cascade 1500 has FIVE media trays and cost $130 bucks. If it breaks ... I have another in the garage because ... well they're cheap. So $260 bucks I have a canister - and an immediate replacement if it breaks for about the price I'd pay for an FX4.

FX4 are PRETTY canisters ... I'll give 'em that. However, I'm NOT a poor fishkeeper and recently "splurged" for a $250 Vortex Diatom filter that I only use ONCE a week for about two hours on each tank. Sooo ... it's REAL EASY to sell me expensive stuff.

If I thought the FX4 would give me any appreciable advantage - even a negligible one (LOL) I would buy one right now on Amazon.

I’ll look into Cascade and Sunsun. Hubby said he is willing to pay for the FX4 if it really is “the macdaddy of filters” lol. As in it has the best performance, most dependable, most durable, doesn’t leak etc.

 

I did quite a bit of research before getting a FX4 and was still undecided since I already had a 406 on my 75g. I was at a PetSmart and they had it on sale for $199 so I jumped on it.

Some of the reasons I went with Fluval was the availability of parts pretty much everywhere, online and local. The plastics seem to be better quality than others, even Eheim. The Aqua Valves on the '06 canister make pulling the canister out for maintenance really easy. The utility valve on the FX4 was a big plus for me.

It shuts down for 3 mins every 12 hours so the bubbles that might accumulate in the canister can rise up and pushed out.

I have a 206, 306, 406 and FX4 so I'm a bit of a Fluval fanboy.

 

To be honest, I don't understand the fascination with the FX4 - which costs like almost $300 and looks like a real bear to clean.

Filtration is not a complicated endeavor and I just think if your canister filter resembles a nuclear reactor ... it's probably a bit much.

I KNOW I'll get yelled at for saying it ... but I've found the cheapo Chinese canisters to work just fine and produce crystal clear water. Maybe they're noisier than the expensive ones? I don't know - but I can only really hear my canister if I listen real hard ... or on those occasions they "belch" out a bit of air (which I would be angry about if I had an FX4 that I paid $300 bucks for if it even did it once). I use Cascade canisters ... others swear by SunSun. My Cascade 1500 has FIVE media trays and cost $130 bucks. If it breaks ... I have another in the garage because ... well they're cheap. So $260 bucks I have a canister - and an immediate replacement if it breaks for about the price I'd pay for an FX4.

FX4 are PRETTY canisters ... I'll give 'em that. However, I'm NOT a poor fishkeeper and recently "splurged" for a $250 Vortex Diatom filter that I only use ONCE a week for about two hours on each tank. Sooo ... it's REAL EASY to sell me expensive stuff.

If I thought the FX4 would give me any appreciable advantage - even a negligible one (LOL) I would buy one right now on Amazon.

I've had Cascade's (700, 1000, and 1500) and I have had all of the small Fluval's and they're all fine filters. I've heard predominantly positive reviews of the SunSun's as well although I have no direct experience with them. I prefer the FX's for the media capacity, flow design, and volume of water they move but the others are good choices as well and I'd recommend considering a SunSun with integrated UV too if you prefer to go that route.

 

Hmm lots to think about. I found a Cascade 1500 on a Canadian retailers site, but it’s the same price as the FX4 and by the looks of the gph, I’d need two of them? I’m going to search for Sunsun too.

I did quite a bit of research before getting a FX4 and was still undecided since I already had a 406 on my 75g. I was at a PetSmart and they had it on sale for $199 so I jumped on it.

Some of the reasons I went with Fluval was the availability of parts pretty much everywhere, online and local. The plastics seem to be better quality than others, even Eheim. The Aqua Valves on the '06 canister make pulling the canister out for maintenance really easy. The utility valve on the FX4 was a big plus for me.

It shuts down for 3 mins every 12 hours so the bubbles that might accumulate in the canister can rise up and pushed out.

I have a 206, 306, 406 and FX4 so I'm a bit of a Fluval fanboy.

That does sound like some “macdaddy” technology, so maybe it is the right fit for us?

 

Hmm lots to think about. I found a Cascade 1500 on a Canadian retailers site, but it’s the same price as the FX4 and by the looks of the gph, I’d need two of them? I’m going to search for Sunsun too.

Wow, the Cascade 1500 is literally half the price of the FX4 on Amazon in the US. That just seems wrong for some reason. Not what your saying, the price difference.

 

I don’t know if we just don’t get good deals in Canada, or what it is, but it looks like if I want a similar gph to the FX4, then I’d need one of the larger Sunsun canisters and one of the smaller ones. Works out to a similar price as the FX4.

 

That does sound like some “macdaddy” technology, so maybe it is the right fit for us?

They are great filters, I really like mine but for "macdaddy" technology look at the Fluval G6 filter.

 

Wow, the Cascade 1500 is literally half the price of the FX4 on Amazon in the US. That just seems wrong for some reason. Not what your saying, the price difference.

Wow, the Cascade 1500 is literally half the price of the FX4 on Amazon in the US. That just seems wrong for some reason. Not what your saying, the price difference.

Yep, on Petland.ca it’s $399 on sale. I did just find it on Amazon.ca for $223

They are great filters, I really like mine but for "macdaddy" technology look at the Fluval G6 filter.

Oh wow! It’s on sale and it’s the same price as the FX4. Is it a better filter?

 

Yep, on Petland.ca it’s $399 on sale. I did just find it on Amazon.ca for $223

How close do you live to the border?

 

They are great filters, I really like mine but for "macdaddy" technology look at the Fluval G6 filter.

I really like the easy access mechanical filter access but I'm not sold on all the electronics. It also seems its rated for bigger tanks than it should be.

 

How close do you live to the border?

Not very close anymore! I’m in the interior of BC. Grew up in southeastern Ontario, could get to the border in about an hour and 30 mins back then.

I really like the easy access mechanical filter access but I'm not sold on all the electronics. It also seems its rated for bigger tanks than it should be.

Yes, just took a quick look at some reviews. Not very consistent performance.

 

Oh wow! It’s on sale and it’s the same price as the FX4. Is it a better filter?

I would (and did) go with the FX over the G. I prefer the design of the FX but the G filters are "more advanced" technology wise.

 

I would (and did) go with the FX over the G. I prefer the design of the FX but the G filters are "more advanced" technology wise.

Yeah I think we’re more concerned about the performance rather than the high end tech. I guess performance and quality materials, something that’s going to last and not break but also functional? Maybe we will go with the FX4, it has the right gph, and from most reviews people seem really happy with the quality and performance. If the Sunsun’s were a better value, I’d defintely give them a try, but I’d need two of them and they would work out to the same price as one FX4

 

Here's our freshwater setup, it's a 150 gallon tall.

 

Here's our freshwater setup, it's a 150 gallon tall.View attachment 428818View attachment 428819

It’s lovely!

This has been a great healthy discussion! Thank you for everyone’s input. I’m going to get hubby to read the thread when he comes home and hopefully we can make a decision soon and I can start cycling this bad boy!!

Lol!!! Just showed hubby this thread and now he’s asking if we should get the FX6? Overkill, right for 90 gallons? I think he’s hinting that if we overfilter then we can go two weeks between water changes. I don’t think it works like that, does it? Like Old mentioned, the fish need the replenishing of minerals etc.