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canister filters

L

lawman

Hello all, I'm considering purchasing a canister filter to replace the HOB filter I currently use. I will be getting the large size CPR HOB fuge for my 55 gal reef/fish so the hob filter has to go. Can some of you share your experience with various canisters such as brand, price, reliability and ease of cleaning? I have plenty of water movement/turnover and I'm also running a skimmer.

Thanks,
Tom
 
A

AnDom1

Hi Tom

I've always used Eheim canister filters in the past mostly on my FW tanks. They are very quiet and reliable. They more than do the job. Just note that they tend to cost more than other brands with the same features.

They now have several lines of canisters ranging from very basic economical models (Classic/Ecco) to Wet/Dry units. Go to their web site eheim.com to review them and see what's best for what you want to do.

I'm going to buy one soon for a FW Discus tank I plan to set up. Being a lazy sort, I'll probably go for one of their Professional II models
which offer lots of conveniences...self priming, variable flo, auto valve releases etc. Some even include a heater.

But like I said examine the features/price against what you want to do and how much work it'll take to do it.

Dom
 
magic

magic

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
Tom

I've been running a Fluval 405 (left over from my cichlid tank) on my 46. It also is easy to clean and very reliable. It's rated at 340gph and if need be parts are readily available. What made my decision was initial cost and the price of replacement parts (impeller for Eheim was $80.00 bucks vs 25.00).

Bob
 
MadReefer

MadReefer

Staff member
NJRC Member
Moderator
I used a Rena Filstar on my FW tanks and also on my reef tank until I ugraded. I bought it on-line for $99, biggest size XP3. It's self primimg and has three fairly large baskets for media. I bought mine at Pet Solutions. I now use it on my turtle tank; keeps the water crystal clear.
 
D

DaveK

First, save your money on the CPR HOB refugium. It's among the worst pieces of equipment I ever owned. On my reef it literally broke off and landed on the floor creating quite a mess. Avoid at all costs. On top of that, it's really too small to be very effective. My nitrated and so on were lower after it broke off.

As for canisters, I's not a big fan of them on a reef system. They tend to become dirt traps. If you do use one, it must be cleaned often, at least once a week.

If you are going to get a canister, get an Eheim. They are the best overall canister. Yes they cost more, but they will last, and you can ge replacement parts for them, if needed.

As for the Nu-Clear filter you are looking at, there are several things to be aware of. First, it's only the canister, you'll need to buy pump and a bunch of other stuff to actally hook it all up. You will need valves so you can open it up to clean it. The pleated cartridges used by them are difficult to clean. I found the only way to clean something like this was to use a large bucket and soak it in bleach for a day, and then for 3 days in fresh water. You'll need a rotation of about 2 or 3 cartridges to keep up. Note that the unis also has a pressure gauge on it. Be sure it doens't connect to your tank via a brass fitting. I think these are more trouble than they are worth, since they are more like a FW filter than something I'd use on a reef.

If you are doing all this because you want a refugium,I would consider getting or building an overflow, sump, and refugium, and setting them up under your tank.
 
B

BobCReef

I would not use a canister filter on a reef tank except if i needed a rapid cleanup. That being said i have used a canister on my reef from time to time to run carbon. I use the Magnum 350. Seems to work well. I used to use this on my 150 gal fish only tank as the primary filter back in the old days. That and an under-gravel filter. Remember i have been keeping marine fish since the early 70's so things were a bit different then. The term "live rock" had not been invented along with the term "personal computer". :D
 
blange3

blange3

I have a sumpless 55 gallon for my soft coral collection.

I use a Fluval 104 for carbon. I change one tray every other week.

If you have powerheads for flow, run a skimmer and have a decent amount of live rock, you don't need a large canister. I just run one for media like carbon.

I also have a CPR HOB fuge with rock rubble and macro algae. I like mine. :)
 
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