Canister filter?

Canisters sit outside the tank, usually down below in the cabinet or lower shelf of the stand.

A suction hose that is in the tank draws water down thru the media, thru the pump, then out the discharge hose and back into the tank.

Canisters are the way to go.
 
its very easy, most of them come with good directions and different schematic drawings for setting them up in your tank as well as options like spray bars etc.
 
Depending on the size, yes. But you get so much mor capability with them and more efficeint filtration.
 
Watever, I'll be in Austin a few times this summer, let me know if you want help setting up. There are some really good deal on craigslist there.

Anyway, yes canisters are a bit more for the initial setup, but they have quite a few advantages that make it worthwhile.

The are quiet, since the pump is usually in a cabinet and the hoses are already underwater, no splashing.

They are relatively maintenance free. I recommend that you not go with the biweekly cleaning, I clean mine every other month and it's just fine.

They don't smell. There's no cleaning medium that is exposed to air, so they can't stink up the house.

If you want a 55g tank, then a Rena xP3 would the right size. I've got one on my 55 and it's perfect.
 
i have a marineland c230 i believe and a eheim pro 2.the marineland says for 55 gal and the eheim is for up to 200 gal+ is this adequate filtration for my 125 gal freshwater tank.i no longer use under gravel filter w/power heads.i do water changes bi-weekly and have 7 medim sized fish,and three small
 
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