Canister Filter - Which one to pick???

Can someone explain to me the different types of filtration that are involved and what they do. Do canister filters provide biofiltration, or just chemical and mechanical. I've read up on it, but am a bit confused with talk about bio-wheel setups.
Thanks.
 
bristlenosekarl said:
Can someone explain to me the different types of filtration that are involved and what they do. Do canister filters provide biofiltration, or just chemical and mechanical. I've read up on it, but am a bit confused with talk about bio-wheel setups.
Thanks.
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BioWheels are alleged to provide superior biological filtration because the media is exposed to air and water for improved oxygenation. However, hundreds of thousands of aquarists seem to get along just fine using a regular canister or HOB with no bio-wheel. The actual size of the biowheel isn't that big so it may not make a huge difference. "Serious" wet-dry filtration systems use complex under-tank sumps combined with bio-balls and a pump. This is overkill for most tanks.

Canisters can provide biofiltration, just like HOB filters can. Most canisters have at least some foam, which is adequate (and the most common type for HOB filters), and most canisters with removable media baskets can also accomodate supplementary biomedia, such as ceramic rings, bio-stars, etc. Canisters do a GREAT job at mechanical filtration because they have far bigger media capacity and usually stronger pumps than HOB filters. Many (but not all) also have no media bypass, so all of the water gets filtered. Most properly functioning aquariums don't need chemical filtration on a regular basis, but of course you can slap in a bag of carbon into the media basket(s) if you need to remove meds from the water.

I have a Rena XP2 (don't know if they are available in Australia) and it is quiet, easy to set up, and FAR less expensive than the Eheims. You could pretty much buy two Renas for the price of a single Eheim. (at least in the U.S.)

SirWired
 
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This may or may not be what you are looking for. I usually see it as three types...mechanical, biological and chemical.

Mechanical is the physical seperation of debri and solid waste out of your tank water. Depending on the filter you have, this is accomplished by sponges, floss, filter pads, screens and polishing media such as on a diatom filter. They can vary in how pourus they are, some letting smaller particles through and you can have filters with several stages, each sucessive one getting finer to catch more particles. These should be regularly cleaned since as they trap debri, the total flow through them will be diminished. The normal recommendation is to rinse them in old tank water, due to some of your bacteria colony will be on them, and for some types of set ups, most of your bacteria will be there.

Chemical filtration is where you have added a medium that is working with your tank water to remove or add items to change your water characteristics. Activated carbon, crushed coral, and peat are some of the most common ones. These items can be in bags, cartridges, pads or media chambers, depending on what type of filter you have.

Biologigal filtration is the bacteria that develop to convert the ammonia to nitrites and nitrites to nitrates. This bacteria needs oxygen and a food supply. While this bacteria will establish on most any surface in your tank or filter, the generally accepted theory is that most of it will be in your filter. The more surface area you have, the more available area you have for a bacteria colony. This surface area is provided by ceramics, beads, substrate, decorations, and even the tank walls themselves. The bacteria grow best where the best conditions for it are.

Depending on your filter style, the above can be achieved in almost limitless combinations and sometimes one form of filtration may actually be accomplishing more than one method of filtration.

I have canisters with floss sleeves for the mechanical, then the water goes thru carbon for chemical and returns to the tank thru bio wheels. Also have canisters with floss sleeves and running thru chambers with nothing but ceramic cylinders and returning to the tank.

HTH
 
I have a Fluval 404 for my 75 gallon and have not had any trouble with it so far. The only thing about cannister filters is when you need to clean or change the carbon it is heavy to carry to the sink.
 
what other filtration do you have with that 404 on that 75? what all is in there? my 75 has a 405 and 2 whisper 60s.
 
Nothing. It is rated for that big of a tank. I think the 405's came out after the 404's but they are about the same. I had it with no problems on my SW tank. I am in between tanks at this time but plan to use it on my FW tank when I start it up. I have cleaned it out real good and will get new "guts" to put in it.
 
I've had my 75 gal set up now for 2 months now and everything is doing great as I gradually continue to stock it. I have a Emp 400 Marineland Bio Wheel Power hand on filter and an xp3 Rena canistser filter. I feel like I have a good balance of desired filtration probably more than I need but I like to error on the side of to much. I really like the xp3 canister filter. It has a variable flow rate and the option of a spray bar or nozzel for return to the tank. It is easy to set up and clean and I feel that it does a great job of filtration. I has multiple baskets that allow you to customize your filtration media to your needs. One thing for sure is that todays technology and equipment make almost any choice the right choice. Everyone has their own idea so take note of the information given and come to your own conclusion. ;)
 
a 404 is "up to" 100 gallons, and with any filter, whatever they claim up to, cut that in half and that is about what it can handle on a moderately stocked community type tank. and remember that it isnt just tank size that determines the filtration. after all you are really cleaning up after a certain bioload, not just cleaning a certain number of gallons. the fluvals have very customizable trays and work great. one or two of mine ive had for 8 years or so, thats why i keep buying them and now have at least 7 and am buying the new FX5. they are a step up from the renas. so that filtration may be enough for now, but you should add more. it definitely wont hurt.
 
Yeah that's great. I was actually looking at the Eheim 2028 or 2128, as well as the Fluval 405. Does your fluval make much noise?
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My Fluval 404 is quieter than my computer. Well my computer has 4 cooling fans on the case itself so it's not that quiet, but the filter really is quiet. The 405 replaces the 404 and is pretty much a cosmetic upgrade at this time.

I do agree that with a 300l aquarium you should look into having 2 filters. My choice for a second filter would be something like an aquaclear 70 or maybe even a AC110. Properly set up both filters should be fairly silent. I find that having a HoB filter makes it easier to add temporary filter material (such as carbon) if it should become necessary.
 
there are 2 big differences in the 05s and 04s. mainly the intake strainer which in the 05 is supposed to be effectively clogproof (and so far is on both that i have), and the tank rim adapter is by far superior on the 05 to any previous line of fluvals. both of these give me nothing to complain about on the 05s whereas both were issues on previous lines.
 
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