Canister Filter?

[wwildcats04]

I have a 2217 on my 75g and it does an amazing job. I have never had anything less that crystal clear water and you can not hear it at all. However, I have yet to clean it and there is a reason for that... Im not looking forward to it! but I think any canister filters would be a pain to clean compared to HOB

 

[nursie]

I had HOB's...to really take apart and clean..I had to lift the heavy thing off the back of my tank..sloshing water around. akward to carry. That was after I'd tried to get water out with the python. I didn't know how to take all the way apart and clean, I finall figured that out when I went to sell them.

My canister..I flip the lever to disconnect the hoses..unplug...and take the thing to the sink..not spilling a drop and easy to carry by the handles., Easy to take apart..easy to clean. I am much happier and my filters are cleaner

 

[Bosemani Fan]

Nursie, Yea its worth it! 15% off daily and 30% off twice a year!

 

[DeRo316]

So its either the Eheim or the Filstar? I was thinking Filstar xP2 or Fluval 304 for my 55 gal. Are there problems with the fluval? I havn't seen anyone mention it as a good one to get.

 

[Roan Art]

Oh man, now I'm totally torn between the two :sad: I was going to get an
Emperor 400 and an Eheim Ecco 2236 for each 75G tank (bio and mechanical), now I dunno

Which one???????
Eheim Ecco 2236 for 89.99
XP3 for 89.99
Eheim 2026 for 189.99

Dang 2026 is $100 more than the XP3 and that adds $300 into my totals. Sigh.

Gotta think on this one.

Roan

 

[echoofformless]

So its either the Eheim or the Filstar? I was thinking Filstar xP2 or Fluval 304 for my 55 gal. Are there problems with the fluval? I havn't seen anyone mention it as a good one to get.

It's rare to hear a dirty word about the Fluval. I love mine, and if you check out epinions.com or search around the forums, you'll see people are generally happy with them.

Personally, I think any of these filters are equally as good a choice as the last. To be honest, my feeling is that quality filtration is quality filtration. Once you're using a good filter, the differences between one brand and the other is so miniscule that it really doesn't make a darn difference.

I've come to this conclusion because everytime I see one of these threads, or I read reviews on epinions, there never seems to be a general consensus of which filter is truly "the one." That can only lead one to believe that filtration is filtration, so long as you're using good products. My suspicion is that the only difference from one filter to another would be price, design, features and media options. That makes it an entirely personal choice. But as far as filtering your tank and allowing you some control in media, all of these filters will do that for you. I would challenge anyone on this forum to setup a room of tanks with all the same parameters, run a different filter on each tank with the same media, and then show me any seriously vital difference in water quality from tank to tank. Of course I could be wrong, but that's what such experiments would be for; and maybe we'd finally be able to settle this filtration discussion once and for all, though I'm sticking with my hypothesis that a good filter is a good filter. :duh: :read:

 

[Roan Art]

Many of us don't have your experience, echoofformless, and, when all things are equal, we rely on what our friends here tell us.

I, for one, am not versed in canister filters. I have one, a Magnum HOT. I know I want three more, just not sure which. I want to standardize on one type/brand of filter as well. This makes the learning curve much easier and the parts interchangable for the most part.

It's difficult to decide on a filter when you don't know a lot about the different brands, what they can or cannot do, what options they have. Even comparision charts -- which I've seen -- can leave one gasping for air.

Asking here is a good way to find out and I personally love it when I see a thread like this. It gives me information that I wouldn't find on the seller's or manufacturer's site.

As for the Fluval, I've read a few posts here from people who have had problems. Small problems, from what I've seen, and nothing serious, but enough to make me want to purchase something else.

That said, unless I don't get the budget I'm hoping to get, I'll go with the 2026. Otherwise, instead of the Eheim, the XP3.

Roan

 

[echoofformless]

I'm not sure I'd say I'm experienced with anything lol I just spend too much of my free time reading about filters and dreaming about future tank setups. :hang:

All silliness aside, I would suggest the Filstar. I find the Eheims to be a bit more for the techy kinds of people, and I question how much benefit one really gets from using one of those vs. a quality filter that is more simple. I guess I see it as I see BMW or Mercedes; people are paying for the idea or concept of having one rather than its actual nuts and bolts abilities.

I adore my Rena Can heater, so I can only assume their filters are just as reliable. They look neat too.

 

[RTR]

I have literally hundreds of operating years of experience with canisters - I have dozens of them as they are my primary filtration format. I use Eheims primarily, as they do the job, last forever, and are silent. I have tested many, many other brands and despite the higher initial cost, Eheims are still the lowest life cycle cost of any equipment I use on my tanks. If you plan to be in this hobby more than briefly, to me it is foolish to invest in other brands.

 

[Roan Art]

I have literally hundreds of operating years of experience with canisters - I have dozens of them as they are my primary filtration format. I use Eheims primarily, as they do the job, last forever, and are silent. I have tested many, many other brands and despite the higher initial cost, Eheims are still the lowest life cycle cost of any equipment I use on my tanks. If you plan to be in this hobby more than briefly, to me it is foolish to invest in other brands.

oh sure, pick the one key thing that will make me want to spend the extra 100$ for the 2026. Sigh. Long life. I like that.

Well, I really respect your opinion, RTR, so in the budget it goes. I like things that have a long life and do a great job as well.

Roan