canisters

[raift]

my boss says canisters are the way to go i know nothing of canisters like how to clean cost and so forth :read:

[TKOS]

Canisters are one choice but not the only one. They generally cost more as there is more to them. I have no idea about prices in the USA though.

Canisters generally run much quieter, especially since they can be stored under the tank in a cub-board. That also means they take up much less space on the back, so the tank can be closer to a wall. They are not too hard to clean (though I find I do spill a bit more water when I clean the canister over the HOB) as they have one way valves to keep the water from flowing out of them. They hold a lot of media so can contain much greater numbers of bacteria.

HOB's are cheaper and can be cleaner easier in my opinion as they generally contain media baskets that lift right out while the filter is still running.

It also depends on your tank size. Anything much under 20 gallons really doesn't need a filter, and most above that can get away without as well.

Tell us more about your setup.

[hurricanejedi]

They are expensive as far as filters go. Check out the Eheim canisters at bigalsonline.com for prices. I got one because they are better for planted tanks (less surface agitation). Just getting into the hobby, I've found it a little confusing to get inside and get going. However, in the long run I think it will be worth it :) . The filtration seems really flexible as you can put in all sorts of things, plenty of room. They are large so you have to have a place below the aquarium for it, but they are really out of the way and quiet. I don't hear my aquarium at all.

[Watcher74]

Well, first off, Eheim does make the best cannister filters (IMO) and this is clearly reflected in their price. Check out Fluval or Filstar filters for cheaper choices on these types of filters. I have a Fluval 204 that has been running on a 29 gallon for 2 years and I really like it. I do however, have an Eheim for my 75 gallon that I'm setting up.

I don't like HOBs. Not one bit. The reasons for this is that they produce more evaporation in the tank than most any other type of filter. They also tend to develop a slime where the water trickles over the out take. But the number one reason why I do not like HOBs is the simple fact that if the media gets a little clogged (and I mean just a little) the water will simply flow over and/or around the media. This means that the water is completely bypassing the filtration. You're just moving the water around to prevent stagnation. With cannister or power filters, the water is forced through the media. Eventually the media would become so clogged that no water would be moved at all. But that takes quite a while to accomplish.

All in my opinion and experience. Many experienced aquarists here love HOBs. So take it for what it's worth.

[Roan Art]

I agree with Watcher. I have, on each 75g, a HOB Emperor 400 and a 2026 Eheim. The Eheim, at first, was very daunting, but now that I have them set up and running, they are totally awesome and well worth the money.

I do like my Emperors, but IME they are harder to clean and more likely to spill water. If they clog, it flows around. Not good. Lots of surface agitation, which is okay to me, but I have to top the tank off almost every day.

The Eheims have LOTS of space for media: floss, sponge, noodles, coral, Purigen, anything you want you can throw in there :)

I'm almost tempted to go with two Eheim 2026 for my last tank and not bother with the Emperor.

Roan

[IceH2O]

I have HOBs on one tank and a Filstar XP3 on another. They are both quiet as long as you can keep the water level on the HOBs at the lip.

I bought my XP3 for $104 at Petsmart, its usually $179 but I bought a copy of the online ad to the store and they matched it.

All in all it depends on tank size, inhabitants and planted or not IMO.

[w6wat]

Don't judge a filter by its price tag! Eheim filters have been around for a long time, and have a great reputation. I've owned a couple different models of their Classic line, and I won't ever own an Eheim Classic again. Horrible to clean, prime and keep running. Although most aquarists THINK Eheim is the best, their opinions are sometimes biased by "you get what you pay for" thinking.

A lot of canisters in the current market share Eheim's design. Multiple nesting media baskets, spraybar, high flow throughput, and built-in priming plungers.

Penn Plax, Fluval, Hydor, ViaAqua ( and clones such as Aqua-One, Kangde, Weipro, Atman, etc), Rena, Jebao and my favorite Jebo all make excellent cannister filters that operate quietly and efficiently with the flexibility of media baskets to tailor the media to the circumstance. Some brands are less known than others, some are slightly noisier than others, some might be a little harder to prime. They all share one thing-a dramatically reduced and realistic price from "the brand".

Each brand has its little idiosynchocies that may or may not appeal to everyone.

My favorite is the Jebo 828, now more widely available as the Odyssea CSF4. This filter is a well designed filter with four large media baskets. It comes complete and ready to go with all the tubing, spraybar, inlet and outlet siphons, and MEDIA! It has a course sponge, and finer filter pads for each basket, as well as activated carbon, nitrite reducing chips, and ceramic rings. Most people would add or change media to suit their needs. The overall quality of build is excellent, and the filter operates powerfully and quietly. This filter can be purchased brand new for less than $40 + shipping. This is the best filter deal available.

I run my Jebo Odyssea alongside my Fluvals, Kangde's and others, and I have owned Eheim Classics. I really love the Jebo! The Fluvals are excellent as well, but I prefer the Jebo design. All the others I own or have owned operate similarly with a few little differences except the Eheim Classics. The new Eheim models, in particular the Eheim Pro II line are supposedly the inspiration for the Jebo design. I would love to try the Eheim but not for the asking price, and not since the Jebo works so well.

Anyway, you have many choices, and really since most of the filters work well these days, your choice may come down to color.

Good Luck!

[Watcher74]

Although most aquarists THINK Eheim is the best, their opinions are sometimes biased by "you get what you pay for" thinking.

I know one very experienced aquarist that frequents this forum that would highly disagree with you on this point.

Longevity of life is a major factor to consider. The average life of a fluval is around 4 years.

The average life of an Eheim is around 25 years.

The Classic series of Eheim does have it's pros and cons. But do not think that all Eheims share the same characteristics of the Classic series.

[Roan Art]

I know one very experienced aquarist that frequents this forum that would highly disagree with you on this point.Me three :)

The Classic series of Eheim does have it's pros and cons. But do not think that all Eheims share the same characteristics of the Classic series.The Eheim Professional II -- 2026 -- self priming. I've turned it off several times for waterchanges, no problems and no priming at all. Hoses disconnect with no spillage. Quiet. If it lasts for even for 10 years, I'm a happy camper.

Roan

[RTR]

Hmmm, suspecting that I know the aquarist in question well, I think that I can speak for him and say that he/I consider the Eheim Classics the cheapest filters that I have ever bought. I have multiple units still in routine service that are 25-30 years old. For initial investment, power usage, "permanent" media, general upkeep - they simply cannot be beaten. Yes, they are not user-friendly in todays terms, no argument there, so I usually suggest folks go with the more updated Pro models, but I think that I could clean a Classic in my sleep or blindfolded, so I use mostly the old and reliable warhorses myself. Lots of them. I do replace the hoses every 10-12 years as they do get stiff with age (as does all flex tubing, even Tygon), the same for the O-rings. I also replace impellers periodically - generally immediately after I drop an over ten-year-old one on the floor while cleaning it. But for life-cycle costs (much more important to me than a low initial price - I am not in this hobby short-term), they are IMHO & IME, dirt cheap, highly efficient, and are dead silent in operation. I am also peculiar in that I feel strongly that tanks should be seen and not heard - which leaves all the HOBs I have ever tested outside the door. I also use W/Ds (but only in the tank room - too noisy for living areas), RFUGs, FBFs, veggie fiters and other refugium techniques, and just about anything but HOBs. I do still consider my Eheim canisters my primary filtration format.

All JMHO & IME, YMMV.

[raift]

thank you. you all have given good info to think about :dance:

[Walker Anderson]

I figured I would toss my 2 cent in the ring for the heck of it.
I have both on a 30 gal tank. The penguin 150 bio wheel hang on back is perfectly silent when the water is filled to the top of tank. It is very easy to switch filters, charcol only. The bio-wheel holds effective bacteria great. Very easy too use, little almost no up keep. And thats about it. Leading to the reason I got a cannister a few months in.

I picked up a Fluval 204 on sale. It is also perfectly silent. It has adjustable flow so you can adjust for power of output. It has media baskets that give you flexability in "how" you filter the tank water. I prefer keeping Gourami and Cory cats. I am able to use peat to filter the water through. Something impossible with a HOB as far as I know. Cannisters just give you many more choices in filtering and while the Bio-wheel HOB's are good. I would say that cannisters are superior because of flexablility.

That and it's easier to hide a cannister, its just 2 hoses coming up the backside. The HOB's are in full site.