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.
Somone sell me on a Canister Filter
- Thread starter jeffro426
- Start date
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.
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 
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.
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.
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.
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.