I need to know what everyone thinks of the cannister filters out there. I plan to buy in the next few days.
Best cannister filters and why?
- Thread starter GVT
- Start date
I've only used one cannister filter, which was a Fluval 204 on a 30 Gallon. It was excellent for keeping the water clean and clear (in part with my weekly water changes). My only dislike is that it's a bit tougher to change the media than a power filter but it's worth it for it's cleaning abilities.
I have a Fluval 404 and a Filstar XP3, and I know the Filstar XP3 filters the water just a bit better than the Fluval. ...Fluval's are still a real good product, I just like the Filstar, and its options -- such as variable outlet water flow... directional outlet flow... Another good thing is the use of smooth tubing, unlike the Fluval's corrugated (ridges) tubing. I will change out that stuff sometime..
80g: i didn't get that myself....... my friends old 404 has clear plastic hoses, my newer ones are corrugated as mentioned, i didnt care for that myself.
to answer the question, all i own is fluval 404's ...... eventually i would like to try an ehiem just for arguements sake, i have no interest in filstar, magnum, or via aqua at the moment though. the ehiems are 2 or 3 times the price of the fluval though.
so far the fluvals have done exactly as advertised, pretty low maintenance and i always have clear water. they aren't the only filters i run on the tanks though. i have no complaints about them at all really, a couple of small annoyances like the tubes i mentioned...... i have been happy with them overall though.
good luck
to answer the question, all i own is fluval 404's ...... eventually i would like to try an ehiem just for arguements sake, i have no interest in filstar, magnum, or via aqua at the moment though. the ehiems are 2 or 3 times the price of the fluval though.
so far the fluvals have done exactly as advertised, pretty low maintenance and i always have clear water. they aren't the only filters i run on the tanks though. i have no complaints about them at all really, a couple of small annoyances like the tubes i mentioned...... i have been happy with them overall though.
good luck
For awhile, all i've ever ran were fluvals... as there was a lacking of other canisters in the market in my area. I really do not have anything bad to say about them. Some people claim that over time, their fluvals got louder, others complained about them breaking down, but I have yet to experience anything of the sort.
However, a few days ago I went out to the Big Al's grand opening here in the city and bought myself an Eheim 2026 Professional II. After having it run for a few days, I am convinced that Eheim filters will be the only canisters I will ever run. They are built much better than a Fluval, and I like the overall design of the filter.
Just a note, Eheims are known for their biological filtration, not for mechanical filtration since they generally do not move as much water as other filters. Magnums are better known as mechanical filters, and Fluvals are somewhere in between.
HTH
-Richer
However, a few days ago I went out to the Big Al's grand opening here in the city and bought myself an Eheim 2026 Professional II. After having it run for a few days, I am convinced that Eheim filters will be the only canisters I will ever run. They are built much better than a Fluval, and I like the overall design of the filter.
Just a note, Eheims are known for their biological filtration, not for mechanical filtration since they generally do not move as much water as other filters. Magnums are better known as mechanical filters, and Fluvals are somewhere in between.
HTH
-Richer
In terms of bang for the buck, I'd definitely go with the Fluvals. I have run both Fluvals and Eheims, and with the advent of the newer Fluval design (the x04 series) I see no reason to spend the extra $$$ on Eheims. Eheim also encourages the use of its proprietary media, which requires constant replacement in order to be continually effective, and is very expensive. As an additional comment, Magnums are just noisy and small with bad hose fittings and I wouldn't use them again regardless of the price differential.
Since this topic tends to generate a lot of, um, enthusiasm from both sides, let me just say that I have 41 years of fishkeeping experience, and currently run (20) tanks, (4) of them with a total of (6) Eheims and (4) with a total of (5) Fluvals, (and (12) with just Aquaclear HOBs), so I have a bit of field experience on which to base my "opinions".
Since this topic tends to generate a lot of, um, enthusiasm from both sides, let me just say that I have 41 years of fishkeeping experience, and currently run (20) tanks, (4) of them with a total of (6) Eheims and (4) with a total of (5) Fluvals, (and (12) with just Aquaclear HOBs), so I have a bit of field experience on which to base my "opinions".
I agree with Harry..though if money isnt a problem, buy an eheim...the newer fluvals are decent and the filstars are your best canisters for your buck...very well designed filters.
I have an Eheim Pro 2226(original Pro). It's built great, very quiet, easy to clean and keeps my water sparkling clean. I haven't owned any other canisters to compare but it is a great filter. Put a prefilter sponge on the intake and you'll barely ever have to clean the canister. I bought it at Big Al's a couple of years ago for about $160 w/media.
I have 3 Fluval 404's. They do a great job for me. I would by one again. The only problem I ever had was that I had to replace an O-ring on the oldest one. That one is about 2 years old. And it was my fault that I had to replace it. I liked them for the dollar amount I paid. I also am planning to use an Ehiem some time in the future.