HOB, Canister, or both???

[Rush07]

I have a 55 gallon tank with a pair of Dempsy's (4 inches), a cichlid pike (3 inches) and a Royal Pleco (6 inches). I currenlty run a Whisper 60 and an UGF. That system worked fine until I added the Royal. Wow do they have a lot of waste!! Since then I have been vacuuming the gravel 2X a week and the filters need to be changed about every week. If I go two, its clogged and overflowing. Obviously I need more filtration.

If I were to get a canister filiter (which I have never used), would that be OK by its self or should I keep the HOB going as well? I would love to only run one if it will do the job. I will keep the UGF going regardless (unless there is a reason I shouldn't). Any input would be appreciated.

 

[SeaMonkeyMiner]

If you can afford the canister id go for it. I would keep the HOB more for mechanical filtration, that is really what they are best at. The canister is better for biological filtraion. I'm kind of against the UGF just because they collect all that mulm junk at the bottom of the tank and it just sits there. Its hard to vacumm out and when you take down the tank they are kind of a mess unless you take really good care of them.

 

[Orion]

Get a large canister and keep the HOB as well.

 

[bigredspecial]

I would keep the HOB more for mechanical filtration, that is really what they are best at. The canister is better for biological filtraion.

Not necessarily true... canisters are much better for mechanical filtration, as there is no by pass. Both are equal, size for size, as the limiting factor is oxygen content in the water.

I'd definately listen to Orion and get both.

 

[lordroad]

Rena filters are superb. Affordable, easy to use and maintain, and almost frighteningly quiet.

Shoot for a Rena XP3 if you can afford it. But XP2s also work. That's what I run on my 55, an XP2 and a whisper.

Keep your Whisper. It's a good filter. I run biorings in mine and special made cartridge inserts made of polyfil.

 

[Rush07]

Thanks everyone for your imput.

I will pick something up this weekend and run both. I will either get the Fluval or Rena. I have heard good things about both.

One more question, are there backflow valves that can be put on the hoses in case of power outages? Are they already protected against backflowing?


"input". Oops.

 

[Orion]

I'm partial to the Rena's because they are easier to maintain IMHO than the fluval. The disconects don't feel as flemsy on the rena, altho I've never broke it on my fluval. I've also had issues in the past of debris building up in the intake valve in the fluval. Really, nothing really bad to say about the fluval, but I do like my Rena's better. One thing the fluval's got over the Rena is the pre-filters, those are nice.

You don't have to worry about the filter draining itself out if the power goes out. Even if the return line is above the water, it's only going to drain to the level of water that's in the tank.

 

[Rush07]

Good info. Thanks again.

 

[FroggyFox]

I love my canisters. Liked the Fluval 304 before I bought this Eheim filter a few weeks ago. It is SO easy to deal with, and I got it for nearly the same price as a Fluval at www.bigalsonline.com ...I always heard that Eheim were the best canisters but that they were extra expensive (which they are definitely on the high end of the price arena) so I was surprised that I could get an Eheim with the same capacity as the fluval I was going to get for only like $10 more.

At any rate...I'd also suggest hanging on to the HOB and using the canister, as well as removing the UGF. You really just dont need all three types. (besides...who has enough electrical outlets to plug all that stuff IN!??) Personally I just run a canister on my 46 and only the canister on my 55 and dont have issues with filtration or surface agitation. Just take care to place the nozzle that the water comes out of close enough to the surface so you get some agitation if you dont want to leave the HOB on.

 

[Rush07]

Just fired up my new canister filter. I went witht he Fluval 305. I was going to get the Eheim, but the LFS had the Fluvals on sale at 20% off. Too much of a difference to ignore. I asked if the Eheims were going to go on sale any time soon and she told me they had been on sale the two weeks before. Pretty typical of my luck. The other cool thing was that it came with a DVD on set up and maintanance. This being my first canister filter, it was nice to have that to walk me through the set up. It was easy to set up and get going. We will see how easy it is to maintain over the next couple of weeks...
Thanks for everyones input.

 

[bigredspecial]

A friend of mine is in the same situation; he had his mind set on an XP3, but fluvals are going on sale here, and it's just too cheap to pass up.

Congratulations on the new filter; your fish will be happy with it