filtration?

Q

QldRobbo

Learning
Jun 18, 2006
39
0
0
Brisbane, Australia
G'day,
I bought a 100gal tank about 4 months ago that came with an el-cheapo 375gph canister filter. Due to poor design the intake requires unclogging every few days. Because of this the tank was very underfiltered, so I bought a 500gph internal power filter to run in conjunction with the canister which helped a lot but it is only providing mechanical filtration.

I want to completely replace the crap canister filter, and just run whatever I replace it with and the internal filter. My question is what should I get to replace the canister filter?

Should I get something like an AquaClear 110/500? Or something like a penguin biowheel? Will one of these be enough with the power filter? I would prefer to not get another canister filter.

I am running a community freshwater tank, with lots of real plants and driftwood.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Robbo
 
if it were me, i would just get a better canister. HOB's don't tend to have enough power with tanks that big. canisters are good filters if you get a good brand. i don't currently have a canister because i don't have a large tank, so i can't give you any recomendations.
 
i agree with rockabillychick, canisters are def much better for large tanks than hobs are. i currently run dual fluval 404's on my 75 gallon tank and i couldnt be happier with them. i would suggest either fluval or eheim. you can pick up a fluval 404 for less than $100 probably closer to $75.
 
On my 75 gal freshwater community aquarium with no live plants, I have an Emp 400 HOF and a Rena Filstar XP3 canister filter. I just love the XP3 and its features and am very happy with it.
 
I've got a XP3 and I couldnt be more unhappy. I would trade it for an AC110 any day. I had to give canisters a shot. They just arent for me:(
back to the DIY wet/dry.
 
Rallysman, what don't you like about your XP3? I've only heard good things about the Rena canisters. I was thinking of getting an XP2 myself, so your input would be appreciated.
 
I have been running 2 Emperor 400's on my 125 gallon tank for about 5 years with good results (the only other filter was an UGF). I recently added a Fluval 305 for added filtration and have been very happy with it. If I had to start over on a big tank I would probably do a Fluval 405 and a HOB (Emperor or AC).
 
plah831 said:
Rallysman, what don't you like about your XP3? I've only heard good things about the Rena canisters. I was thinking of getting an XP2 myself, so your input would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Makes a mess when I clean it, the flow is weak-VERY weak, it's hard to get good surface agitation (which can be good for platned, but I dont have plants), no oxygen transfer (goes for canisters in general). My biggest complaint is that it is very weak. Most people love them, but I dont see why.
 
I don't want to argue but to the contrary I get great flow and hand in hand great surface agitation. I use the spreader bar just below the surface and point it up towards the surface. There are a number of conditions that can reduce the flow in your canister filter including the media in the filter, length of tubing, height, etc. so it explains how one will get different gph in their set up. For me, I am very pleased with the XP3. Cleaning is a snap. Just lift a handle to stop flow to the filter, and lift the top off of the filter, carry to where you want to with convenient handles on the side, do your cleaning, replace top, open lines and there you go. I have just returned to the fish hobby after a few year lay off. Actually had a salt water reef tank before. I researched the canister filters before I purchased one and felt the input stated that basically all were good. I chose the Rena XP3 because I liked the features. Honestly can't compare because the only one I used before was a Marineland canister and there was no comparison. Like everything, set ups and preferences are a personal thing. I just wanted to say that I am extremely happy with my XP3 to now!
 
Yeah, I like my XP3... I actually thought it had too much pressure, I mean with the spray bar the little jets of water shooting out were so strong I drilled the holes out slightly larger to reduce the speed wich water was shooting out. And it doesnt seem to be any more difficult than other canisters to take out and clean, just gotta remember to actually do it every so often. :) I am sure the Ehiem filters are better but for $90 I figured I'd give the XP3 a try. If your tank is heavily planted and doing very well (high lighting, co2, ferts...) then a canister is typically considered the best option since you want to minimize surface agitation, and dont need as much bio-filtration... basically you just need mech filtration and thats what the canisters do best. But that all depends on how well the plants are doing and you stocking levels.
 
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