Which canister filter?

So it really sounds like Fluval is not even worth considering. I've done some searching and Petsmart is offering $25 giftcards w/ the purchase of a Rena XP3 - If I can get a price match on top of that, it'll be a hell of a deal.
 
I've got the marineland magnum 350...no problems as of yet and it's quiet as a mouse...I have nothing to compare it to though, because it's the 1st canister filter i ever tried.
 
i thought i'd put my opinion in there, seeing as I had a very similar thread going around about 4 months ago before I took the plunge into the canisters.

Eheim! I have a 300L (approx 80G) tank and I put a Eheim Classic 2217. Awesome and I'm really happy with it. I could do with a tad more filtration, but it's super quiet, provide awesome filtration and after 3 months working with it my tank water is superb.

I was on a budget, but just bit the bullet and got one and I have no regrets!
Good luck!
 
Hey folks,
I run a fluval 304 on a 55g. Absolutely quiet. Water params are always A=0, nI=0, nA=5-10, pH=7.2-7.4. Crystal clear water. Easy maintenance. My only complaint is the tubes have to dropped over the back of the tank into my bucket for cleaning. Can't imagine any filter canister wouldn't require intake/outflow tubes to be removed in the same manner.

If I am wrong I will take my lumps and invest in what is best for my fish friends!
 
The Fluval '05' series (105, 205, 305, 405) is not, in my opinion, worthwhile, but the Fluval FX5 is...and excellent filter, albeit a bit large for the needs of most tanks (the only change I would make would be the type of hose it uses, but that is easy to swap-out for about $15). With luck, Hagen will make the next Fluval series scaled-down versions of the FX5.

Eheims are excellent filters, and I especially like the 'classic' canister series, but Eheims are not inexpensive, typically running $200-$750.

A less expensive choice, that works quite well, and is easy to start/maintain, is the PennPlax Cascade canister series, although the 500 and 700 models are not really worth bothering with...the 1200 and 1500 models are very nice, although the media baskets could be a bit bigger and easier to manipulate.

I am not particularly fond of the Rena Filstars at all...I find that they have a habit of leaking and do not force water flow through the media the way that they should.
 
Get the Eheim if you can afford it. I have the 2026 on my 45G and it does well, should be good for the 55 too though some may step up to the 2028 especially if they want a high amount of current. The quiteness of the Ehiem actually scares me from time to time, since it run on an outlight controlled by a light switch, I have to double check to make sure I didnt accidently flip the lightswitch off.

The 2026 with media and (upgraded?) intake and spray bar is onsale right now at bigals http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsU...rofessioneliicanisterfilterwithmediavaluepack

If you dont want to spend that much, I'd go for the Rena XP3. Been running one on my 75 now for 2 years and has done well. I have never had fluval so I cant speak on thier behalf, but there are several who use them I am surprised none have commented yet.
 
I have been running 2 Rena XP3's on my 100 GAL (also with 2 Emperor 280's) and have never had a problem and love them. They are very easy to clean and maintain, and hold a ton of media. If you maintain them right, and replace the O rings evey year in half like the Man states then you should never have any problems. Plus you can get them at Petsmart with a price match from Big Al's.
 
I have an Eheim ecco 2236 on my 50g as a supplement to my Emperor 400, an I really like it. It's totally loaded with bio media to supplement the mechanical filtering of the Emperor and to help deal with all the waste my goldfish produce. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was less than $100at petsmart.com! No clue how it would work as the only filter though.
 
I'm glad you decided on a great filter. I hope it fullfills all of your needs with this tank. If for some reson you are not happy with it or it is not what you expected out of a canister filter, then keep the eheim in mind. I have the eheims going on two of my tanks(the classic series) and I couldn't be happier. They are super silent, extremely efficient, and my water is crystal clear at all times as well as the water peremeters in these tanks ar always perfect.

Marinemom
 
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