Somone sell me on a Canister Filter

[jeffro426]

Ive always used HOT filters and had decent success with them, but everyone seems to always be recommending a canister style...my question is this. Im looking for a decent, cost effective canister filter for my 55 planted mbuna tank(something with excellent mechanical filtering capabilities). I would like to keep it around 100 bucks if possible...can anyone reccomend a good setup for me?? Im not looking for suggestions to keep my HOT filter(it does serve its purpose), i just want to explore some other options.

[Unome]

Go to www.bigalsonline.com and you should be able to find something that fits within your budget. Check out the Fluval 304 or 404.

[blitzen25bm]

i got a magnum but its a H.O.T. -sorry

[Banky]

Bigals sell a Filstar XP3 for 89.99. Excellent price and excellent filter.

[J&JsTA]

I'll second the Filstar line .... have a XP2 on a 65g and it was easy to setup and works like a charm with over and above filtering capability with it's combo trays for installing whatever media you want easily :)

[aquariumfishguy]

Yeah, if you want a Canister then buy one new for a good price rather than a used one, since you said your budget is $100 or under.

[anonapersona]

Is cost important?

Is really quiet good, or is actual silence required?

[jeffro426]

Cost is fairly important as i dont want something thats going to cost me an arm and a leg in the long run. Noise will also be an issue but not all that important...it will be going in a bedroom so it can have a tinny bit of noise, but VERY little is better. The XP3 looks like a pretty nice filter. I might go that way unless someone can recommend a better one.

[NJ Devils Fan]

I recommend an xP3. I have one along with an Emperor 400 on my 72g and it is great. Instead of the pads they give you, I use polyester fiber batting. A bag at a craft store is about $3 or so and it lasts for months. Just change it every week and you will be fine. It traps tiny particles very well.

[travelinman1969]

I have a Fluval 404 and it is very quiet. I use mine strictly for bio filtration but it will work well as a mechanical also. You can get one for a decent price at big al's or, they've gotten really hot on e-bay and you can get one for abvout 60-70 bucks 70-80 with shipping. I've never had a problem with mine. There are 4 trays so setup possabilities are numerous. I know the XP2's and XP3's are excellent choices also. Not sure how quiet they are though.

[Cypherman]

Well despite occasionally being driven insane trying to prime the thing I do love my Fluval...You really do forget its there. Although taking it apart is a pain for me, you only have to do it every other month or so, once the flow starts to slow from all the biogrowth it generates, and its so quiet...I got mine for $50 bucks off a co-worker but I think I'd pay up to $100 knowing what I know now. But if you can I'd go for the Eheim or Filstar...From what I hear theyre much less of a headache when its time to open er up.

[anonapersona]

How long a run we talking about here?

Eheims are almost forever, and silent.

Filstars are very quiet, but I think too new to have any 10 or 20 or 30 year lifespans reported as I've seen with the Eheims.

If you will be keeping this filter for 10 years or more, spend the extra for the Eheim. If you are not sure about 10 years, get the Filstar.

[jeffro426]

Well i took a trip to Petsmart and some LFS today and compared and looked at the aboved mentioned filters very closely today and i think im going to order me a XP3 from Fostersmith...looks like the best deal i can get without geting an eheim!! Thanks alot guys!!