Canister filter questions

gustavo85

gustavo85

AC Members
Jan 23, 2008
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Puerto Rico
It has been quite a while since I've been thinking of buying a canister filter for my tank but a few questions always arise. How many GPH should it filter for a 38 gallon tank? Can I place any additional filtration media of my choice inside? Are they silent or noisy? Do they create less water turbulence in the tank than powerfilters? How durable are they or which would be the most durable? Is there the possibility of water spilling out of the filter? How possible is that or how would I prevent it? Sorry for the many questions guys I just hope someone could answer them or at least a few of them. As always, many thanks!
 
My personal view…a canister filter is a canister filter is a canister filter. It’s a box with an impeller pump that pushes water throw a bunch of baskets.

The only difference between the brands are the ways you prime them and take them apart without leaking all over the place. I have four Fluvals and a Cascade and I’m happy with both brands (maybe with the except of the impeller cover clips are a little wimpy on Fluvals, and break if you look at them funny).

As far as size, check the spec’s on whatever brand you want to buy and match it to your 38 gallons.

They are quiet and you can put whatever you need into the baskets…Active media as well as surface area stuff (ceramic discs, bioballs, whatever), for nitrifying bacteria to grow.

As far as I’m concerned, and I’ve been doing this for 45+ years, and had my fill of HOB, under-the-gravel and in-the-tank filters, canister filters are the only way to go for freshwater tanks. Now saltwater, that’s another story.
 
For a 38g tank, the typical shopper would look at something rated for a 40g, minimally. Trouble is, the flow rate they advertise is never what's on the box, because they don't test the thing when it's full of media, &c. :irked: I'd look for something rated a bit higher thank your tank: an XP2 with a HOB filter or a XP3 by itself would be very good for your tank. (Other folks will chime in with other brands, but I'm most familiar with filstars.)
 
Eheim ECCO is working great on my 29g with plenty of push for a larger tank. Very easy maintenance and no leaking when you break it down to do your maintenance. Also, it is so quiet.................
 
I just got 2 cascade 1500's canisters i bought on ebay for 100.00 ea and free shipping they move alot of water and I like them. I already had 2 others and have never had any leaks or any other problems with them. they pump 350 gal per hour.
 
Thanks for your help so far guys! Another quick question. Seems that the impellers are quite expensive. How durable are these? Are they affected by thin sand in the aquarium as the impellers of powerfilters?

Edit: Also, sorry...would a Cascade 1000 be enough for the 38 Gallon? It filters 265 GPH with media capacity of 6L and manufacture designed for up to 100 Gal tanks.

2nd edit: The rule of thumb with powerfilters is at least 10 times the gallons of the tank of filtration. For example if it is a 20 Gal tank then a 200 GPH powerfilter. How is this rule with canister filters so I can have a better idea?
 
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Canister filters don't always follow that rule of thumb. They focus more on the volume of media to filter well and making sure that there is no bypass. I've seen canisters rated for 100+ tanks with only a gph of 175 or less. I'd just look at what the manufacturer recommends, and make sure to get one that is rated for a tank larger than yours. That way you are sure to have enough filtration as well as be prepared for upgrading tanks :devil:
 
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