Canister Filters - What Do You Prefer?

[africamonk]

so what brand does everyone use?

[melonie]

In the past I used a Rena. My 'new' 55 gal uses a Rainbow Lifeguard setup.

[ashdavid]

I choose Ehime, why, b/c I have used them for years.

[Chris Drake]

Fluval because it came with my used tank setup. Very impressed though. Very quiet and good filtration.

[Blinky]

I've got a Rena FilStar XP2, and absolutely love the thing. It's a fantastic filter, loads of room, super quiet and easy to clean.

[RTR]

Eheim.

[reiverix]

I've got two Fluval cannisters. They're the only ones I've had so I just can't personally compare them to anything else. Most people seem to think that Eheim are the best so I won't argue with that.

[africamonk]

i personally like the ehims over the fluvals .... we have a fluval 404 at work and it is quiet problematic ..... the old xx3 fluval series were a better piece of machinery ..... have not used the rest ... looking to try a rena on my next tank

[anonapersona]

I have Fluval 303, quiet but harder to start
Eheim classic 2213, quiet, simple to prime, hard to damage
Eheim Pro, Eheim Pro2, Eheim Pro2thermo, nice to have baskets but more stuff to break or lose, primer is OK but a pain to lube, thermo is nice but hard to locate well in my bizarre cabinet
Eheim ECCO big and little, less flow than you expect but easy to prime just be sure to move the handle very slowly when opening

Were I to get a new canister, I'd get a Classic, simple and most bang for the buck.

[africamonk]

wow, you've tried alot of them ... good review ... :clap:

semms like alot of peeps here use and enjoy the rena, def will try that for my next tank ....

[Slappy*McFish]

Another vote for ole reliable...Eheim.

[Maj0rFiSh]

Only one i have ever had is what i have now, Fluval 304, does perfect and my tank is super crystal clear, never had it go bad.

(Touch wood)

[africamonk]

the only part to worry about on the xx4 series, is when you change or clean the filter ..... the porpeller is one problem and the quick release is always problematic or breaking ...... seems to go the same for alot of my friends that has had it ..... my friend's small lil store actually stopped selling them for those reasons .....

[chefkeith]

I have 8 Filstar's and 2 Eheim's. I like the Eheim's better because they are silent and easier to prime. I like the Filstar's better because they are easier to maintain and much less expensive.

[Kasakato]

Eheims and FilStars! Both are GREAT filters for sure.

[NikkO]

Red Sea Ocean Clear series for larger tanks, for smaller tanks I'd go with Eheims since I've seen many good reviews on Eheims.

[tricksterpup]

For smaller tanks, I like the zoo med 501 External Turtle Filter.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/products/large/p_16423_23700V.jpg

[JSchmidt]

Were I to get a new canister, I'd get a Classic, simple and most bang for the buck.

I agree 100%!

Jim

[anonapersona]

Oh, I will admit that the last cansiter filter I actually got was a used HOT250 for $20, for that is a lot of bang for the buck also, and great for filtering a tank on the bottom of an open stand.

[Dark Phoenix]

i mail ordered 2 fluval 404 filters and i love them so much!!!i got both of them at petandponds.ca . they were 130$ canadian each. i stuck 1 in my 100g cichlid tank and the other in the 55g com tank . low maintance and my water is crystal clear with no amonia or nitrous problems.

[jdizzle1000]

ZOO MED 501. It's a turtle filter, but it is GREAT for smaller tanks and has the perfect amount of room for media. Works great.

[LongTime]

I have a eheim classic,quite a few FilStars, a Vortex Diatom, and a very old Fluval.

I don't know anything about the newer model Fluvals, so...no comment.

Vortex Diatom - This filter is not designed for regular day-to-day use. It would clog much to fast for that. It is a water polisher and it does the job very well. IT IS A TRUE PAIN to set up. I have a true "love/hate" relationship with my Vortex.

FilStars - I love the price and it is real easy to maintain. Everything is in its own liftout section. You just have to rinse the filters and put them back in. It is a good idea to replace 1/3 of the bio-media each quarter no matter what kind of filter you have. The quick release valve CAN drip a little when you first disconnect it. Out of my 3, I only have one that lets a little water get away. For the price, it, IMO, cannot be beat!

Eheim classic - I have to agree with anonapersona. It is the 'best bang for the buck." The maintenance is a little more time consuming than the FilStars, but it does not require as much maintenance as the Filstars.

[cherrypie]

Recently moved to Sera canisters here, nice strong build with wide heavy duty clips, nice media baskets and easy to prime. Can't hear them until your ear is around 1ft away.

[born2lovefish]

I have had an eheim wet/dry professional model for 10 years. Still running and working like a charm. Great filter and basically I do nothing to the filter. I clean it about once a year. I would buy another eheim in a heart beat....well if I had the money.

[Pufferpoison]

had a magnum for about a week, piece of junk. Have been leary on using cannisters since that nightmare. Are they all kinda like the magnum?

[test4echo]

Fluval all the way!!!