canister filters

[Grumpy_Marine]

OK i am going to start planning for my 55 gallon tank i will get when we move into new house. I need to know what canister filter i should get for a 55 gallon tank? I have never used a canister filter so would need to know what to buy with it. I am going to follow canines DIY guide on the sliding top and the drilled tank. I need to know how noisy the canister filters are? are they quiet? or loud?

 

[Guysy1110]

On my 43gal i run an Eheim 2213, its abit noisy, always sounds like there air inside evn though there isnt, but i have it in a cupboard so i can bearly hear it. I dont think its great though becuase its onkly 400lph. If i was you ger a fluval or something. my sister just got one and there not bad, lots of helpful features but you will need a better model than the 205 she got.

Hope that helps abit

 

[Grumpy_Marine]

yea i am going to look into fluval as i have heard good about them, What is better canister or biowheel? Is there a way to dampen sounds of canister filters with insulation or something?

 

[Helena21]

Grumpy- i have just got a fluval 205 (as guy says) and they are very good. When every you want to do filter maintainence you just lift a lever and it stops the flow (very cool imo) and unplug it. the 205 says its for a 40 USgal tank, so if your gonna get a fluval get a 305 or 405!

And my tanks downstairs so i just put a towel over it and that help the noise, its not really THAT noisey (guys just fussy)
I can always record the noise on my cam and upload it so you can hear it lol

 

[Guysy1110]

I havent any experience with bio-wheels, but ive read some good and bad things about the,. If i was you i would stick with canister because ive heard bio-wheels can be noisy and sometimes have things go wrong like the dont spin propperly?

Guysy

 

[GIS Guy]

Biowheel will have a foutain type sound to it.
Not only will it make the surface agitation sound, but also the spraybar sound.

Canister will probably be quieter than that.
I run Magnum 350s and once all the air is out they are much quieter than my Emperor.
I don't feel there is a need to sound proof them.
And the Magnums run a little hot and any type sound proofing may be prove negative.

 

[GIS Guy]

I'd also recommend a canister because they are more flexible and effecient filters.

 

[Grumpy_Marine]

Thanks for the suggestion GIS... right now i have two biowheel filters on my 29 gallon, they do get fountain noise which is annoying when the quiet part of a movie is playing...lol.

Biowheel filters as long as the wheel moves it is working no matter fast or slow or stuttery or sluggish. But both of mine spin freely, when they start to stutter i check filter media and find them clogged with debris. At which time i clean and filter returns to normal. I am definately going with canister for my 55 gallon tank, just have to start looking for the type and size i want.

 

[Lotus]

Everyone seems to have their personal preference for canisters. We like the Magnum filters and the Eheim. I've never heard anyone complain about Eheims, other than the price.

We have a couple of Fluvals that we picked up cheap at auction, and don't like them nearly as much as the Magnums or Eheims.

It's a good idea to run both a canister and a HOB on larger tanks, in case one fails, and also for water movement.

 

[cinlnk]

Been looking into the JEBO brand...Not very well known,,, BUT it is one hell of canister filter for the money..

They are alot cheaper then Eheim, Fluval and work just as well!!!!!

China Zhenhua Aquarium tank Manufacturer

You see these on EBAY and I personally love mine!!!!! Not loud and is just a workhorse!!!!!

 

[Orion]

I wouldn't give away my jebo to someone I didn't even like. It constantly leaks for no good reason from the quick disconnects regardless of thing everything I can think of to fix it. Not particulary fond of the way the media baskets are setup, as it can leave a lot of room to allow water to bypass. These are only my experences with it, I've read plenty worse from other people. But, it seems to be a hit or miss with them. Sounds like cinlnk may have been lucky and got a good one. Personaly I don't want to by from a company that has quality control like that.

I love my Rena XP's. I have 1 XP1 and 2 XP3's. I have a fluval 404 as well, but the XP's are a bit easier to do maintance on.

IMHO either would be a good investment.

 

[cinlnk]

Guess I was lucky.... been using it for almost 8 months with no probs at all.

 

[echoofformless]

Another canister filter thread. All these ever produce are peoples' opinions and experiences...which eventually lead to the same conclusion:

Eheim, Fluval, Magnum and Filstar are all great canister filters. They are also pretty much the only brands you'll find available. Just buy the one that meets your needs for GPH and that you can afford. Or alternatively, pick the one that you find the prettiest. End of story.

 

[Fishywishy]

I just wanted to throw in.....I have a cannister on my 75gal (fluval), yes it's really quiet, yes it's really flexible. But, dang it's a pain to reach under the stand, unhook it, drag/lift it (it's full of water and stuff), then stand up with it and take it over the sink to change something in it or clean it. Then put it back under the tank, hook up the hoses, prime it and get it started. In which case it's always dark, because you're blocking the light with your big fat head looking in to try to see what you're doing. It just is WAY easier to stand and reach over your tank to the HOB filters.

I like cannister filters, but their advertising of "easy maintence" is only compared to other cannister filters......not HOB filters.

I like fluval, easy start up primer thing, my water is always crystal clear, great flow, almost every LFS sells "fluval" stuff........but I can't compare it too others for you because I've only used fluval (availabilty of stuff to put in the filter made my choice)

 

[Grumpy_Marine]

thanks for the input fishy.

I understand it is a preference thing with filters, i am just asking for opinions so i have some in my head when i look at them. If i walk in with no knowledge and no second hand knowledge i am fresh meat... but if i walk in knowing that this one is noiser than that brand, then i can set my foot and say nope i like this because this... this and this. So everyones opinions help with making decisions. I will probably go with fluval just because it is available at petsmart right down the road, but i wanted to know if there was another i should consider also.

 

[Orion]

Exactly. Not everyone is able to start in this hobby with years of knowledge and experence ringing in their head.

 

[GIS Guy]

... ... In which case it's always dark, because you're blocking the light with your big fat head looking in to try to see what you're doing.

How about installing a small flourescent tube in the cabinet?
That way there is some light, and it is not so bright that it's blinding.

 

[TheFool]

I really like eheims - they're quite, and reliable. Who owns a fluval, rena , jebo or whatever that's more than 5 years old. I know people with 10+ year eheims, no bother.

And quality also means silence.

 

[Fishywishy]

I'm out of outlets to plug it in ....... and I already have power strips going in. Because the tank is an odd size (5ft long), I have 3 t5 light strips, one 48inch towards the back, then 2 24 inch towards the front but centered on the sides (the middle doesn't get as much light). So, my lights take up 3 outlets by themselves. The 2 filters, 2 heaters, powerhead, air pump, moonlights, .......etc.... I think I have more plugged in for the fish then for my computer.

I do however take a flashlight on one side, but that's more of a beam light.

I only mentioned the "getting under there" part of cannisters, because I have hip problems and sometimes that movement of bending, crawling and wiggling something heavy at the end of my arms is just impossible and I either have to get help or wait until my hips go back insync to do it myself. But, they are really nice filters.

Grump-- You won't need anything to dampen sounds, once it's going and all the air is out (this takes awhile on first use) you can't hear it run, it's quieter then the hum of florecent lights in a workplace (fluval 405 anyway) I think you'll be happy with it (after all you're a marine, you can handle dark,tight, crawling around while dragging wet stuff)

 

[cinlnk]

For those small dark areas....... Works Great!!!!
Sylvania Dot It LED Light