Canister filters for Dummies ?

vanillarum

vanillarum

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Jan 4, 2008
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Hey gang. I recently upsized one of my pleco breeding tanks from a 40 gal breeder to a 75 (actually 78.8) gal. I have an AC 110 on the tank, and it is not getting the job done. I thought of adding an AC 70 to it, but I should prolly go with a canister according to what I have read. I know nothing about them (yes, I AM the dummy !) So I am looking for advice as to which model might be best for me. Please keep in mind that I am as mechanically inclined as a stone, so ease of use is priority 1 for me. Thanx for any advice.
 
I found the Eheim Classic 2217 pretty straight forward to set up. I don't know if it can handle a 75 gallon on it's own (I am thinking it -can- personally) I use mine on a 40B.. but I imagine with the HOB + Eheim 2217 you should have plenty of filtration (or you could use a beefier canister than the 2217).

The most difficult part for me setting up the 2217 was it took me a while to realize I had to cut the tubing myself to fit the cut off valves and spray bar..
 
For ease of use, I would go with the Fluval canister filters. An FX5 would likely be overkill, but a 306 or 406 with a HOB should give you good filtration.
 
I've used pretty much every type filter on the market over the last forty plus years. No single product can keep up with a a large size pleco breeding tank. I've got an AC110 and an ECCO 2234 on a 22.5 gallon pleco tank, for example. What helps a lot for the AquaClear is extension tubes to get the intake just over the gravel.

Given your warnings, I'll suggest a 2nd AC 110 and alternate cleanings so you've always got a aged filter media.
 
Thanx gang. I have the extension tubes on my 110. Yesterday I added an AC 70 with the same extension tubes. I'll give it a week or so and then decide whether to add the canister. Thanx again.
 
if you do decide to add a canister another good one to look at are the Marineland C series, a C-220 was my first canister filter and there good filters and vary easy to use especially for first timers. my only complaint is thay are a little more pricy than the eheim classics but with black Friday coming up you should be able to get a good deal on them.
 
I second a marineland, I just got the c360 a few weeks ago (my first canister) and it was very easy to set up and works great! Now there are knock offs that have the same design, but I have learned you get what you pay for so I went with the real deal. Imo a filter is a little to important to cheap out on

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
I would suggest a cannister as well as the AC running.. a pleco tank never looks like it's over filtered....

there are some 'knock offs' that perform fairly well..you can see where CWOgunner has tried them as well as myself.. and yes the catalina canister filters are still running(2009) I decided to try 1 as a cheap alternative to DIY..at the time I think I paid $49 ...i do have them running on 29 G tanks tho ;)
 
I have used the Rena Filstar xp3 and their canisters are super easy to set up and maintain. You would probably want it in combination with the AC.
 
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