Filtration Recommendations...

[zigman6]

Greetings Everyone-

Looking to upgrade my freshwater filter to a cannister system.
I am currently running a AquaClear 70 on a 55 gal tank filled with
aggressive cichlids (Hap Comp, Johanni, Blue Ahli, lab Fuelleborni, Red Zebra, Ice Blue Zebra, Peacocks, Frontosa, Daffodil and Venustus.) About 12 fish in all.
It's alot of fish for a 55gal but the overcowding keeps them from beating each other up. Of course all these fish have me cleaning the tank almost weekly. Nitrite & ammonia levels are safe but Nitrates tend to be slightly high.

I've heard that the cannister filters are much easier to maintan & more efficient at keeping the water clean. Based on my setup, any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Fluval, XP3, Eheim, Magnum?

Thanks very much.

E

 

[OCCFan023]

From personal experience I would reccomend an Eheim. Had mine for 2 years and changed pads and such in it 4 times, it was amazing!

 

[GIS Guy]

I like the power and polishing aspects of the Magnum.
But they are very limited on media types.
The maintenance may also be somewhat disfunctional.
The disconnect valves are not as efficient as other canisters for one thing.
I would recommend looking into Rena or Eheim.

 

[JustOneMore20]

Everyone is gonna recommend something different.

Eheim is the best IMO, and the most expensive. Rena is good and a reasonable price. Fluval are a little more expensive than Rena I think and usually rank 3rd out of these 3 brands (from what i hear).

I personally use Rena cannisters and love them. I like the media choices, the 3 media baskets on the XP3, and the fact that they are within my budget. They are super quiet and keep the water really clean.

I will be setting my 55g African tank up either this weekend or the next and will have an XP3 on it.

 

[nobody]

Fluval is the best on the market right now, from what I've been told, and you can find them at a good price on ebay. They're cheaper there than in the stores. That's where I got my 404 and it works great, cycling my tank 4 times an hour (that's what is supposed to do anyway) and keeping my tank really clean while staying really quite. That's what I suggest.

 

[Lonewolfblue]

I vote XP3, lol. I have an XP2 and an XP3, and love them both. Eveyone touts the Eheim, but I have not seen an Eheim do a better job than an XP3. My opinion is that they are very comparable, and do just as good as the other, but the Eheim carries a much higher price tag. I have an XP3, and will go with no other cannister. I am extremely happy with the performance and ease of maintenance.

 

[Igor The Cat]

i Say Fluval, ive used Eheims and Renas but nothing beats a fluval, espically in a planted tank, htey diffuse CO2 like no other

cheers

-Java

 

[Lotus]

Whatever canister you go with, it's a good idea to keep your HOB filter on there, too. It helps with water movement, and provides a backup, should there be a problem with one of the filters.

Personally, I prefer Magnums over Fluvals. Eheims are expensive, but good (only had mine running a week or two).

 

[revfred]

I have 2 XP3 and an XP2. They are super and excellent value for the money