I have a 20gal. tank and was looking into getting a canister filter and was up in the air as to which one that isn't expensive.
Anyone use a canister filter for your planted tank
- Thread starter maverick2402
- Start date
IMO canisters are great for planted tanks - you can place a spray bar under the water to minimize surface disturbance, they're versitile when it comes to media, hidden under the tank (so it's aesthetically pleasing)...
Eheim makes great filters in many different sizes, but they're fairly expensive. I use a Rena FilStar and highly recommend them. Try doing a search in the equipment and DIY forum for canister filter or FilStar, you'll see lots of information and user comments
Eheim makes great filters in many different sizes, but they're fairly expensive. I use a Rena FilStar and highly recommend them. Try doing a search in the equipment and DIY forum for canister filter or FilStar, you'll see lots of information and user comments
Gotta agree with the above two posters. I am very happy with my XP2 and would recommend it if you can't afford an Eheim.
Len
Len
I have an ECCO (forget which, but it's the largest) that I used to use on a 20 gallon planted. I ended up using another small internal filter to add some water movement. I bought the eheim spraybar attachment for the canister, and eventually had to buy the Surface Extractor also, because there wasn't much surface disturbance and it would accumulate a whitish film (proteins and such). After spending all that money, I should have bought a Eheim Pro or a cheaper XP1 or XP2. I now own an XP3 for my larger tank, and I'm pretty impressed with the options, attachments, and quality of it.
Hot 250
I have been pleased with a HOT 250 with efisubstrat in the carbon cage. I shoot the outlet along the long back wall of the tank and get a nice circulation, but it is pretty fast and blowing plants around at the start.
I have been pleased with a HOT 250 with efisubstrat in the carbon cage. I shoot the outlet along the long back wall of the tank and get a nice circulation, but it is pretty fast and blowing plants around at the start.
I guess "not too expensive" cuts me out, but I use Eheims on everything over 10 gallons. I actually use some on 10s, but that model is no longer available.
Eheims are definitely the cadillac of filters. I use a Fluval 204 and have no complaints. But then, I was stepping up from a cheap HOB so I'm easily impressed. As for price, check out www.bigals.com, lucky for you American-types there aren't any brick-and-mortar stores so your prices are even cheaper.
Hey anona, haven't seen you around for a while.
Hey anona, haven't seen you around for a while.
happychem said:
Oh, I've been busy. Took a trip the Boston/NY area in time for that big March snow storm. Quite exciting driving in that for this Texan -- no one told me about cleaning the snow off the headlights and wipers -- it made for a very exciting 5 1/2 drive from Albany to Boston. Then I took a trip to Arizona and did some hiking and saw the sights, Scottsdale, Sedona, Flagstaff, Sunset Crater volcano and Petrified Forest and Painted Desert. Got another snow storm in the mountains out of Flagstaff, not nearly like driving that Mass Turnpike but I was glad to have had the experience, my sister was hyperventalating and to scared to drive her car so I drove over the mountains. A good trip. The discus got by with only one meal a day and no water changes for a week each time, thanks to my family stepping in to help out.