canister filter reviews

brian1973

brian1973

Superstar Fish
#1
Jan 20, 2008
2,001
3
38
Corpus Christi, Texas
#1
I have found some good deals on ebay for new canister filers..I am going to buy 1 rena xp3 and 1 marineland c-360..once i recieve them and set them up I am going to do some comparisons and try to post back here..so others can see my result.

I am also going to post on the buying process good or bad.
 

TMony

TMony

Large Fish
#2
Nov 16, 2008
400
0
0
#2
I have been shopping around for a new canister filter myself. I finally decided on the C-360, before I read several articles about how they leak after a couple of months. I now decided to go with the Eheim 2026. Hope you have better luck than they did!
 

O

odaok

Small Fish
#6
Nov 19, 2008
11
0
0
#6
If you need media, Big Als seemed to have the best price as I just rec. mine this evening.
Good luck on your new filter.
odaok
 

brian1973

brian1973

Superstar Fish
#8
Jan 20, 2008
2,001
3
38
Corpus Christi, Texas
#8
thanks TMony, makes me wish I had seen those before I ordered but all my searches came up empty, I found similiar reviews of the magnum 350, it does look like they are quick to replace malfunctioning units, I will keep you all posted. These wont be setup until after xmas.
 

TMony

TMony

Large Fish
#9
Nov 16, 2008
400
0
0
#9
I'm currently using a Magnum 350 Pro on my 85 gallon tank. I really like it. I haven't had a single problem with it yet. That was my main motivation for wanting the new C-360. I wanted to stick with Marineland until I read others comments on the 360. I am currently setting up a new 55 gallon tank and don't have a lot of room in the back behind the light, so I can't make the bio wheels work for me on that tank without splashing my light fixture. Otherwise, I would have gone with another 350 Pro. I do think I will add another 350 canister to my 85 gallon in the near future as a secondary source of filtration (and back up). I have read others comments in the past that they were unable to use the bio wheels because they are connected together and make it difficult if your tank has a center divider (like many of the larger tanks) This is easily fixed. If you take out the "T" fitting between the two bio wheels, you can purchase two "elbows" from AquariumGuys and by using a "y" connector for the tubing in back, I was able to split up my bio wheels. Wish I could make it work on my 55, but I think I have decided on the Eheim 2026.
 

O

odaok

Small Fish
#10
Nov 19, 2008
11
0
0
#10
New filter up and running

After reading much about cannister filters, I purchased a Rena XP2 for my 29 gal tank. I have to tell you how pleased I am with this filter ( happier than a cats ---) and will never go back to HOB filters. Easy setup, quiet and no leaks. I had to rotate the quick disconnect valve tubes 180 deg. by backing off the four screws 1/4 turn on the underside and adjust the tube angle according to my stand setup, snug up the screws and prime. Now to talk the wife into a bigger tank and an XP3 or 4.
Thanks for reading.
odaok

*thumbsups*thumbsups*thumbsups
 

brian1973

brian1973

Superstar Fish
#12
Jan 20, 2008
2,001
3
38
Corpus Christi, Texas
#12
ok..time for an update.. I set up the marineland 360 on my 90G native tank, it was a PITA to get primed but I didnt use the factory intake/outlet piping, I hooked it up to a custom flow kit so I could distribute the filtration and spray bars/ jets the way I want them. This could have caused the difficult priming but I doubt it since the instructions say pump it 2 times to start the water flow, well a half hour of filling the intake hose with water and pumping the primer it finally started to pick up. So far no other issues than that.

The RENA XP3 is plumped into the 90G and ready to go but upon opening it I found that it did not contain the bio media, according to the instruction this was supposed to be included, so I either have to buy it or call RENA (API) to get it sent to me. The setup took very little time but I used the plumbing that came in the box.
 

brian1973

brian1973

Superstar Fish
#14
Jan 20, 2008
2,001
3
38
Corpus Christi, Texas
#14
Ok contacted RENA by email about the missing bio media... they were very quick to respond especially since the instruction list hours M-F and they responded on a saturday. I am a bit disappointed by the response though, the bio media stars or ceramic DO NOT come with the XP3 they come with the XP4, so after spending $120 I had to spend another $30 to purchase the media that should have came with the filter, why sell a filter that isnt ready to use?? yep front of the box says "ready to use" but with an empty basket it IMO isnt truly ready to use. Not a positive for RENA. Remember I got this for a good price online if someone was to purchase this at a local store for close to 180 they would be over $200 to get it truly ready to use.

Edit: the marineland C-360 did come with everything I needed to set it up, no extra purchases needed. So that is IMO a big plus for marineland and a large strike against RENA.
 

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brian1973

brian1973

Superstar Fish
#17
Jan 20, 2008
2,001
3
38
Corpus Christi, Texas
#17
yea I bought the package of "bio stars" at petsmart (cheapest place in town that carried them) the box was $16 there were like maybe 18 "bio stars" in the box, they measure about an inch long and maybe 1/2 to 3/4 in diameter I would guess, so not very many for the price. I also purchased some ceramic cylinders from aquaclear that I am using in it as well. The instructions actually show you using both the stars and rings so thats what I did.
 

brian1973

brian1973

Superstar Fish
#19
Jan 20, 2008
2,001
3
38
Corpus Christi, Texas
#19
Actually I was thinking I needed to update this thread earlier today but didnt really have any news.. So far all is well. They are both quite and seem to be working good, I dont really see any difference in the water clarity but my water was always clear before. I dont plan on doing any maintenance to them for a while so they really shouldnt be any issues with leaks before then I hope. I also found online that Marineland was quick to exchange the leaking canisters so maybe that was a problem that has been fixed.
 

f8fan

f8fan

MFT Staff
#20
Nov 19, 2004
1,765
8
38
Bangor, Maine
#20
Months ago, I bought an Eheim 2213 Classic. I can't really review it's performance because I haven't ever been able to get it to run! :mad: I bought it online from Aquarium Guys, when I got it and it wouldn't run, I emailed them, and they said the return needed to go through eheim directly. Suffice it to say I haven't been happy or impressed with eheim's customer service....Day four and I am still awaiting a response from them about a problem clearly documented by a history of emails....I wont buy eheim again that's for sure. If you get a good one, then no problems, but if you get a lemon then it's just a huge headache. I think I may cut my losses and watch this thread for alternatives and throw the pile of useless $90.00 plastic out in the trash.

Here's my experience so far.....
http://www.myfishtank.net/forum/equipment/54316-eheim-2213-canister.html
 

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