Cannister verses HOB filters

halfcent

halfcent

Small Fish
#1
Jan 5, 2003
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Nanaimo B.C. Canada
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#1
I presently have a 33 gal. tank with an Aquaclear 300 hanging off the back. This has been set up and running nonstop, and I have no complaints whatsoever. The filter is quiet, easy to maintian and very reliable.

I am now considering getting a 90 gal. tank and am wondering about filtration. Am I better to go with say, two 300 Aquaclears or get into some kind of cannister filter? I have read threads on here stating how good cannisters are, but my question is why are they better. If I have two HOB and one breaks down, I am still getting limited filteration. Also if cannisters are the way to go, what is the best size and make for a 90 gal.?
 

Saint

Saint

Medium Fish
#2
Nov 4, 2002
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New Orleans
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Well it all depends on how much filtration you need. What kind of fish do you have? If they are big, go for the AC 500. Get 2 of them if you want, tto won't hurt. Bigals has great prices. Now, canisters are sweet too. I have both actually in a 100 gallon. Crystal clear. I have an Eheim 2028 (from bigals also). If you are concerned with price, do the HOB. Maybe one AC 500 and one Emperor 400!
 

mann

mann

Large Fish
#4
Nov 13, 2002
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seattle, wa
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#4
I don't know if either is better - It depends on the situation. Cannister is very good for some applications. HOB is great for others. You have to give some more details on the rest of your setup in order to get any intelligent response regarding which is better.
 

Orion

Orion

Ultimate Fish
Moderator
#5
Feb 10, 2003
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#5
Let me get an opinion on the subject. Going to be setting up a 20Long that will be heavly planted, with 120w of light diy co2 and florite substraite. Right now the only fish that will be going in is one angel, on blue ram, one rainbow shark, and 2 Ctenolucius hujeta's. Thinking of just going with an emporer 280, but I know that I need to reduce surface movement as much as possible, and I have never had anything but hob filters, so dont realy know anything about a canister.
 

catfishmike

catfishmike

Superstar Fish
#8
Oct 22, 2002
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Sin City, again...
#8
both are good. it's what you use it for that determins witch one you use.hob's offer better turnover rates.canisters have far more meida then a hob could hold so the water is heavly filterd but not pumped very hard.canisters also can run devices like bio-wheels and u.v.steilizers,etc...
 

R

RJSorensen

New Fish
#9
Mar 19, 2003
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#9
The question of how often you have to change the media in a canister is equal to the amont of over feeding you do. Same as a HOB or HOT. They are just larger and IMO a much better method of mechinical filtration. Surface area of a Mag 350 sleve must be several times the size of HOB. I like them because the are clear and you can see when to change them. I have Fluval 404's in retirement, I use Mag 350's now. The difference? The chambers in the Fluval's hold lots of stuff. I just want to trap waste. Sometimes I use carbon and sometimes I just use tank gravel instead. I do not want "Bio" in my canister, just filter the water please. Show me when you are dirty. Since I am the cause of the 'dirt' let me see when to clean. Eveyone's use and need is diffrent. HOB are gravety flow, Canister is power flow. This is the real differance in the style(s). Read a lot and use common sence, in your application. Only you know what you think you need. I have learned to love the 'Bio Wheel" for my Bio filter. This is the best idea of the 90's. Keep them seperated and you and your fish will be happy. That way you can clean and etc. without regard to the bio media in your water cleaning canister. Just my thoughts.
 

red belly pacus

red belly pacus

Medium Fish
#11
Apr 6, 2003
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#11
I agree with saint both would be nice the marineland magnum 350 pro is a nice canister filter it comes with the bio wheel pro 60 but I would read up on canister filters they all have there goods with there bad as you will find out. the media should be changed every 30 days on the 350 where as other filters last much longer this is only one instance of money cost over the annnual year I would read up on them your choice
 

G

geoffgarcia2

Large Fish
#14
Oct 22, 2002
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#14
I personally loathe hang on filters like the aqua clear....
I'm an ENORMOUS fan of cannisters and feel that once you go with em you never ever go back....they are outta site, outta mind, quiet and what else can ya say! *hahah*
 

M

MrKrispy

Medium Fish
#16
Apr 25, 2003
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San Diego
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#16
I had a penguin 330 bio-wheel for my 46 gal and ditched it for a Fluval canister filter for 2 reasons:

1) Noise. My tank is in my living room and once the water level starts dropping the bio-wheel waterfall is VERY annoying and loud.
2) Surface agitation. If you have a planted tank and ESPECIALLY DIY CO2, the agitation from the bio-wheel is going to kill a lot of your CO2 absorbtion.

Hope that helps!
 

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