Canister Filter Comparisons

[GIS Guy]

I was looking around Drs F/S and came across this table.
It is a little confusing because it says that some canisters have bio filtration and some do not.
For example, the Eheim Classic is "Extremely effective" and the Magnum 350 has "None" and the Rena FilStar has "None".

Drs F/S may want to rethink this table?

 

[tropicalfish]

I don't think the filter actually includes the bio stuff or whatever, but it is possible and optional.....

 

[GIS Guy]

I believe the bio filtration would take place anywhere that bacteria will grow on.
This will include the inside of a canister.
All there needs to be are floss/sponges inside?

 

[tropicalfish]

well, true...
I think it means media that is completely dedicated to biological... Because for example, like foam. When you rinse it out in water and squeeze out the gunk, some of the bacteria is lost, right?

 

[GIS Guy]

Well I guess what we are saying together is that any canister will do bio.
All there needs to be is the choice of media to put inside.
Just because the canister isn't sold w/ bio media shouldn't mean that the table must say "None".
I read the Filstar description and it says bio media can be added.
The table is misleading.

Just make sure when deciding to purchase one reads all the information available and not to rely on tables like these.

 

[Avalon]

That is the worst chart I've ever seen. To the educated, it shows how uneducated the person is who developed the chart. Example: So, to care about proper bio-filtration, you must be at best "proficient." Oh really....

I mean, wow, there's so much to say about a chart that sucks so badly....

 

[Lotus]

I agree, that table is somewhat misleading. We don't generally use carbon in our filters, but in the Magnums, we put bio rings where the carbon would normally go.

Also, according to the table, some of the Eheim models provide no filtration at all

 

[flow350]

I think the table is very straight forward. At the top it say 'Media INCLUDED with Filter.' I would assume that the experience level would have to do with how involved cleaning and knowing when to clean the filter.

 

[GIS Guy]

Any floss type media will still grow a bacterial colony, including original packed media.
I would say that the table should list all canisters as "Low to Moderate".
It is inappropriate for the table to say that "None" bacterial filtration can be acheived.

 

[Orion]

I think the chart is very misleading if not just silly. Most of the time Foster and Smith hand out fairly good information, if not sometimes it is a bit bias twords a certian product. But over all pretty good.

One of the best things about canister filters is all the different media one can use in them to suit them for nearly every situation.

 

[usacutie81]

I find it interesting that the expertise level of a Rena canister filter is recommended to be "proficient to expert." My first fish tank EVER was a 75 gal. with a Rena XP3. I must've become proficient pretty fast since it's still up and running.

 

[TheFool]

NO there's nothing wrong with the table - it says filtration with media provided, and some of those boxes come with NO media, and thus provided effectively no filtration.
It says nothe=ingabout wht can be achieved if you add media.... but if you buy one without extra media you will get a rude surprise

 

[TheFool]

The table clearly says it's including only provided media, and some of those come with no media included, thus no filt. I don't see anything wrong.

 

[GIS Guy]

I just check each and every canister on the Drs F/S table.
Each filter IS packaged with media.
...
Directly copied from Drs F/S webpages:
...H.O.T. Magnum Canister Filter: Micron Cartridge, Carbon/Media Container, Filter Sleeve, 8 oz Black Diamond Premium Activated Carbon.
...Magnum 350: Carbon/Media Container, Water-Polishing Micron Cartridge, Rite-Size Foam Sleeve, Black Diamond Premium Activated Carbon,
...Siphon Kleen Gravel Washer, Double Quick-Disconnect Valves, Flexi-Brush, Intake Extension Tube.
...Eheim Ecco: Includes quick-release pivot valves and filter pads.
...Eheim Pro III: Includes an integrated primer; large prefilter; three large filter baskets; one coarse and one fine filter pad;
...an easy-access, adjustable flow control; flow and maintenance indicator window;
...safety adapter; hose guard; and 14 ft 9" of 3/4" diameter Eheim hose.
...Eheim Classic: Includes the following media: Ehfisubstrat - a large surface area biomedia and Ehfimech - to disperse
...the water and trap large debris. Includes tubing. 1 year warranty.
...Eheim Large: Media not included.
...Eheim Pro II:Includes one course and one fine filter pad, strainer, diffuser, tubing and hoses.
...Fluval MultiStage 05: Includes: Instant-prime system; single-motion lift-lock clamps; clog-proof intake strainer; dual-layer foam screen;
...and instructional DVD to ease set-up and use. Includes all necessary mechanical, biological, and chemical media, as well as an instructional DVD.
...Rena FilStar: Includes: FilStar coarse and fine foams for particle collection, Micro-Filtration Pad for ultra-fine filtration,
...Bio-Chem Zorb filtration pouch for removal of organic waste.
...
The ONLY canister listed on this table that DOES NOT have media included is the Eheim Large Canister.
I'd say that the media included with the other canisters will perform bio filtration.
So I still believe the statement I made earlier.

I would say that the table should list all canisters as "Low to Moderate".

 

[GIS Guy]

bump for people looking into new canisters.

You may come across information such as which is in the above table.
Please do not rely SOLELY upon that type of info.

 

[DiabloCanine]

I have 7 Fluvals (204s, 304s, & 404s), 2 eheim 2215s, and 4 Magnum HOTs. I like that table and the info very accurate for the filters I use. The only column I consider useless is the last one.....DC

 

[GIS Guy]

DC, that's fine.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
Without opinions where would the world be?

My opinion is as earlier stated.
I believe all canister filters provide bio-filtration.
And I disagree with the part of the table that states canister provide no bio.

 

[joeyjoeq]

DC, that's fine.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
Without opinions where would the world be?

My opinion is as earlier stated.
I believe all canister filters provide bio-filtration.
And I disagree with the part of the table that states canister provide no bio.

The table seems to be a bit bias to some company's more than others. I agree with you too on the bio part. This information can lead people to thinking the wrong thing about some filters.

 

[DiabloCanine]

DC, that's fine.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
Without opinions where would the world be?

My opinion is as earlier stated.
I believe all canister filters provide bio-filtration.
And I disagree with the part of the table that states canister provide no bio.

You forgot to include this as part of the table:

* = Upgrading to a Pro System provides excellent biological filtration

Some of the Eheims come with no media, the XPs do not have bio media.

I believe the key to that table is the heading:

"Media included with filter"

I believe the table functions as designed unless I miss your point.....DC

 

[GIS Guy]

I believe the key to that table is the heading: "Media included with filter"

This has been brought up on the previous page and you will see my quoted response from Drs. F/S.

I just checked each and every canister on the Drs F/S table.
Each filter IS packaged with media.
...
Directly copied from Drs F/S webpages:
...H.O.T. Magnum Canister Filter: Micron Cartridge, Carbon/Media Container, Filter Sleeve, 8 oz Black Diamond Premium Activated Carbon.
...Magnum 350: Carbon/Media Container, Water-Polishing Micron Cartridge, Rite-Size Foam Sleeve, Black Diamond Premium Activated Carbon,
...Siphon Kleen Gravel Washer, Double Quick-Disconnect Valves, Flexi-Brush, Intake Extension Tube.
...Eheim Ecco: Includes quick-release pivot valves and filter pads.
...Eheim Pro III: Includes an integrated primer; large prefilter; three large filter baskets; one coarse and one fine filter pad;
...an easy-access, adjustable flow control; flow and maintenance indicator window;
...safety adapter; hose guard; and 14 ft 9" of 3/4" diameter Eheim hose.
...Eheim Classic: Includes the following media: Ehfisubstrat - a large surface area biomedia and Ehfimech - to disperse
...the water and trap large debris. Includes tubing. 1 year warranty.
...Eheim Large: Media not included.
...Eheim Pro II:Includes one course and one fine filter pad, strainer, diffuser, tubing and hoses.
...Fluval MultiStage 05: Includes: Instant-prime system; single-motion lift-lock clamps; clog-proof intake strainer; dual-layer foam screen;
...and instructional DVD to ease set-up and use. Includes all necessary mechanical, biological, and chemical media, as well as an instructional DVD.
...Rena FilStar: Includes: FilStar coarse and fine foams for particle collection, Micro-Filtration Pad for ultra-fine filtration,
...Bio-Chem Zorb filtration pouch for removal of organic waste.
...
The ONLY canister listed on this table that DOES NOT have media included is the Eheim Large Canister.
I'd say that the media included with the other canisters will perform bio filtration.
So I still believe the statement I made earlier.

The only canister on the table which is not sold with media is the "Eheim Large Canister" (as stated by Drs F/S).

The above quote was stated earlier in this thread and is an exact copy from the Drs F/S website.

Just about any type of filter media can harbor a bacterial colony.

Hence each of these canisters can provide "low to moderate" bio filtration.

My point is: The consumer should be educated about filtration types and not blindly follow tables such as these.