what's your favorite canister and why?

[RockabillyChick]

i'm trying to decide on a canister filter for my new 45g tank. it will be very heavily planted, low light, low tech, with a spotted climbing perch and two pictus cats.

please vote and post why you chose the filter you did.

 

[Roan Art]

I have an Eheim 2224 in my 45g. I bought it because I'm extremely pleased with my Eheim 2026s and because I want a filter that will last the life of my tanks and fish -- or longer.

If it runs for 10+ years like they are supposed to, then it's more than paid for itself many times over.

Roan

 

[test4echo]

I have a 40g with a Fluval 204 and have absolutely no complaints. I love this filter!

 

[dalto]

I have a Rena XP2 and a Rena XP3. Both were easy to setup and are easy to clean. I am happy with both.

 

[twig]

my fluval 404 was missing a peice when I bought it =(

 

[DeputyChiefJR]

I have a Magnum 350 and it works like a charm...I like being able to see in...

 

[jaymasta]

I have the hot magnum, and Iam extremely impressed with it, iam not sure how it would do on a 45 though, I have a 29. Its completly silent (the tank is a foot away from the base of my bed) it was easy to setup I have the media container half full of carbon and half full of biomax and have two layers of filter floss and the flow rate is still very strong, I noticed no differance going from just a single layer of filter floss with no media in it. Italso comes with a water polishing catridge, which I generally use for 24 hours at a time and it made my tank immaculate, its a fine fine cotton mesh type filter, that takes out micron sized particles (this is the reason why I bought this filter, once a week or so I will give it a 24-48 hour cycle with the polishing filter)
if you are going to use two filters I would definatly recomend this as one of them, if you want just one filter you might need something a bit bigger, although it claims up to 55gal, I as most ppl like to over filter by at least double of the stated claims....

 

[misopeenut]

well ive only used/using one canister so the one i have has to be my favorite one right?

this is very easy to take care, just unclip, take out the filter media basket/net rinse with tank water, and youre done. just clip it and plug it in.
priming, ive had no problem as i use the disconnecting valve that came with the filter, it jsut syphon the water down in the filter.

i must say i was pretty surprised when i open the filter. its just a green bucket with a pump on top. simple.... i like it.

 

[atc_ben]

I've been using a Rena Filstar XP3 for a few months. It's silent, it was easy to setup, has different sprayer options, and my water is crystal clear. Something else that was important for me was that it has a no bypass flow design. It only cost $104.99. If something happens and it dies, parts are readily available at planetrena.com. If I had to replace the entire unit (which I wouldn't), it would cost roughly as much as one Eheim Professional II 2028.

I'm about to purchase an XP2 for my 30Gal, so I can ditch the eclipse hood.

 

[VTwinFanatic]

I love my XP2 on my 55 discus tank. I had it on a 30gal planted and it did wonders on that tank, but I bought it solely with the 55 in mind. Its quiet....filters excelently...and cleaning and maintence is a breeze. And the Price isnt too bad either