Canister filters drawbacks/recommendations?

[lee914]

I am debating a new filter purchase for a 90 gallon cichlid tank. I have never used a canister filter before and was curious are there any drawbacks compared to a power filters? I know the cost factor is a consideration but besides that. Does anyone have any experience with the Lifeguard inline canisters? I was debating those, Eheim, Filstar XP, or maybe the newer Fluval 400 series. Thanks for any advice.

[bayoupr]

I put the life guard double inlines on my pond. One chemical module, one mechanical module and one heater module. Don't like them. Need more then regular maintance. On my 125g tank I put a Ocean Clear 340 cannister with a quiet one 6000 inline pump. Works great. Been up and running for four months now and the flow is still excellant. I also used eheim 2217's and fluval 304 & 404's with great sucess. The 404 and 2217 will be cheaper then the ocean clear and an inline pump. Both are very effective and easy to maintain. ( The lifeguard makes it easy to get to your media as long as you have enough height. If you put them under a cabinet it becomes a pain which is why I put them outside in the open.)

[Glenstorm]

Hey Lee,

I am in a similar boat. Hope you don't mind sharing the thread. ;) One of my HOB filters just died on my 75G Cichlid tank and I am thinking of going with a canister this time. I had an AC500 paired with a Whisper3. The whisper died.

Anyhow I think I have it narrowed down to a Filstar XP2 or an Eheim ECCO 2235. (I was looking at the Eheim ProII series but that is too much $$ for me) If anyone could comment on these two I would appreciate it. I am between the Eheim b/c of their track record and the Filstar b/c it's $20 cheaper and seems to have gained popularity and praise recently. Apparently the Eheims are a little quieter also.

One other question I have about canisters is can I set it up out of the box or will I have to buy hoses, fittings, spray bars, etc before it is a complete filter system.

Thanks

[Glenstorm]

hey lee,

There's a good thread going in the FW newbie's section here (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21623)

[ChEeRs_BiG_EaRs]

eheim 2028 pros get my full thumbs up. they are great filters and have never given me a problem. 2217 has a little less capacity but as long as you clean it regularly, like once every second month. if you can afford the dosh, go 4 the 2028, if not, def go with an eheim. they are by far the best friend of any aquarist.
Justin

[lee914]

No problem sharing and thanks for the link Glenstorm!

[fishfrenze]

Glenstorm,
Go with the XP3 rather than the XP2 if you decide to go with Filstar. I know its rated for about a max of 75 gallons, but I think its better to go up one model, especially if your tank size is at the max end of the filter ratings. I just got an XP3 for xmas for my 72 gallon and LOVE IT!! I had a wet/dry trickle filter that I hated....and switched to a canister. I always had a little cloudiness with the trickle filter and within 24 hours of setting up the XP3, it was sparkling clear. I was going to by a Magnum HOB filter along w/the canister for further water "polishing", but the canister is so good, I don't need it. The setup was easy (compared to my trickle filter) and maintanance only needs to be done once/month. Next week I'll clean the filter for the first time. I know everyone says Eheim, but I'm extremely happy with my Filstar...and its cheaper. Plus, with the XP3 you get extra room for filter media so you can optimize your media for your tanks needs...MUCH more so than any HOB power filter. I run power filters on my small tanks...30 gallons and smaller, but I'm even considering upgrading my 30 gal to an XP2.

HTH,
Melanie

[DIYMatt]

IMO- on a 90 gallon tank I don't think there would be drawback to a canister filter vs a HOB (power) filter other than cost. If you buy a canister that is easy to maintain. But, I prefer having more than one filter on my tanks that size to be safe. The advantages of canisters would be less frequent maintenance, better bio-filtration, and IME they are quieter. I have never owned the lifeguard filters. But, I own Filstars, a Fluval and owned two Eheim "classics". I prefer the Filstars by far. The qualilty seems great, they are quiet, very flexible and very easy to maintain. The Eheims were OK, but much more difficult to maintain and they much more costly in startup and future accessories. IMO- the Fluvals are not worth it. The build quality seems cheap, the tubing is terrible, and you are pretty much stuck with their media layout. I would always suggest a Filstar to anyone and on a 90 gallon, definitely go with the XP3.

I don't think you would be unhappy going with a canister. I hope this helps.

[Cearbhaill]

My 90g discus tank is run entirely on an Eheim 2028 and I really could not be happier. It is the easiest to maintain tank I have.

[JSchmidt]

Canister are more expensive up front, but tend to be longer-lived than HOB filters, at least if you buy a quality canister (e.g., Eheim). Many folks have Eheims running daily for several decades.

Canisters are somewhat more flexible in how they're packed and used. You can have canisters packed per manufacturer's specs, in which case they provide mechanical and biological filtration (and chemical filtration, if you choose). In these cases, maintenance may be an issue because the solids that get trapped in the canister really should be removed (by cleaning the canister) or they can break down and contribute to nitrates and other dissolved compounds. A prefilter can help prevent solids from entering the canister, thus extending the time between maintenance.

Canister packed as bio-only filters (i.e., packed only with bioballs or ceramic noodles, prefiltered with a sponge) provide great biofiltration, a little mech filtration, and require very little maintenance.

In general, canisters are quieter (my Eheims have to be touched for me to be sure they're running) and less visually obtrusive. You also have a bit more flexibility on how intakes & outlets are configured.

I'm sure there are other points, but that's what I can think of at the moment...

HTH,
Jim

[Glenstorm]

Just to follow up. . .

I went with the XP3. I was put over mostly by a post I saw about Eheim using funny sized tubing which limits possibilities for accessories in the future. The price difference also helped out. ;)

[125gJoe]

Originally posted by lee914
I am debating a new filter purchase for a 90 gallon cichlid tank. ..... Get the Filstar xP-3... User friendly, priced right, many many media set-up options, spraybar set-up options, silent operation, easy priming (no need to, really), adjustable flow! :)

[125gJoe]

Originally posted by DIYMatt
..... But, I own Filstars, a Fluval and owned two Eheim "classics". I prefer the Filstars by far. The qualilty seems great, they are quiet, very flexible and very easy to maintain. The Eheims were OK, but much more difficult to maintain and they much more costly in startup and future accessories. ....Seems I have also heard that.... I'm sold on the Filstars.. Lots of accessories come with it..

[RTR]

Eheim is German company, so does use metric tubing. NBD for me, my LFS stocks the whole line of Eheim tubing.

BTW, I'm one of those folk Jim was referring to, with multiple Eheims operating for multiple decades. I would not have anything else at this point.

[Glenstorm]

I have been running my XP3 for 2 days now. Set-up was pretty straightforward. A couple of minor things to note about my experience. . .

First off I wish they had included a discussion about using the spraybar vs. the powerjet. They highlighted the choice but I wasn't sure how to decide.

Second, after choosing to go with the spraybar it was acting like a flute and whistling rather loudly. Covering certain holes on the bar would make it stop, but I couldn't figure out a way to plug the hole permanantly. I ended up cutting a strip of media foam and inserting it inside the spraybar. I fear this may eventually clog up, but maybe not since it is "clean" water running through it.

Finally I haven't duplicated the "it's so quiet that I have to touch to tell if it's running" experience. Initially it was on a piece of 1/8" plywood that serves and the shelf of my stand. That was quite loud. I added a piece of styrofoam and it is significantly quieter, but I can still hear it distinctly admist the rest of the noise produced by the tank, primarily the wash from the AC500.

Hope this is helpful to others.

[125gJoe]

You could drill a couple more holes in the spray bar. I heard someone did that and it worked great.

(side note) ..you can get 2 xP-3's for the price of the equal "sized" Ehiem...

[Duke107]

I don't know exactly what I do right but my 90G tank is almost always clear, I use a eheim canister and drop in the Fluval's largest underwater filter. I remove all the fluval componants out of the filter and fill with good quality bulk carbon in a pantyhose and put some cotton on top, works great! Change cotton and carbon every two weeks. My eheim has been ROCK solid, never lets me down, shut off vales for cleaning without repriming. I clean it twice a year. Very Very quiet! Running 3.5 years now!

[chefkeith]

If you want an Eheim, but don't want to spend the $, try finding a Jebao Canister Filter (http://www.jebao.com/cd/owa/siw_main.display_map?pi_org_id=8802233430&in_current_page=specs&template_id=2&prod_id=8826477625&enable_button=1) . Looks like the same thing, for alot less.

They sell these filters on Ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2375060506&category=3212)

I read a thread about this filter at
fishinthe.net (http://www.fishinthe.net/html/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3601)

I'm thinking about getting one. Either that or another Filstar.

[Raydee]

Originally posted by chefkeith
If you want an Eheim, but don't want to spend the $, try finding a Jebao Canister Filter (http://www.jebao.com/cd/owa/siw_main.display_map?pi_org_id=8802233430&in_current_page=specs&template_id=2&prod_id=8826477625&enable_button=1) . Looks like the same thing, for alot less.

They sell these filters on Ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2375060506&category=3212)

I read a thread about this filter at
fishinthe.net (http://www.fishinthe.net/html/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3601)

I'm thinking about getting one. Either that or another Filstar.

Great find! I personally run the XP3 on my 90 gallon after having a leaky Fluval and it works great. I also run a wet/dry filter too so my water is always very clear. My first choice was the Eheim but for the filter I wanted I didn't want to spend the $$$$ so I bought the Filstar for about 1/2 the price. I too did have a small noise coming fron the spray bar but I took a reamer tool and opened all the holes just a bit and the noise is gone. My buddy who is a Eheim fan just bought the XP3 too so he will be a prime candidate to see which filter he likes better. In my opinion the Canister filter's filter way better than the over the back type filter's.