opinions

[bala_aquarium]

i was looking into canister filters and it sounds like it would be a good investment for my 20g.it would help out biologically.so what do you guys think.i dont know many people who put a canister on a 20g but they do make them for 20g.should i get one?

 

[PlecoCollector]

I personally wouldn't spend that much money for a 20g filter. Small canisters aren't too outrageously priced, but IMO, buy a normal filter and save quite a bit of money.

Rena FilStar xP2 Canister Filter: ~$80-90
Whisper In-tank 20i: ~$25 (or if you prefer: Whisper In-tank 40i: ~$35)

I'm also a fan of the Whispers (I've got three), so my opinion is a little biased. But that's just a price comparison. So there's my opinion

 

[OCCFan023]

If you really want to kick up the filter on your 20 and dont want to go all out on a big canister check out the HOT Magnum. Ive heard good things about them and they look like good units and arent overly expensive.

 

[bala_aquarium]

cool thanks guys.but even if i where to get a 40-50 dollar canister witch is only a little bit more than what the whisper in tank filter cost would it be worth it.would it help the biolagical system or any of that?

 

[OCCFan023]

I Think a HOT MAg would benefit your tank greatly as opposed to a HOB type filter. It will give you better water circulation, varied types of filtering, and will cut back on maintence

 

[fishtrap]

Canisters are great for you bio fiter. They can hold massive amounts of media. They tend to be quieter over all. I also like not having a big box behind my tank. I like the pro look of the canister system.

I'm a canister evangelist though. I'll avoid going back to hob to the best of my resources.

IMO...If you can afford it -DO THE CAN!!!

BTW... I'm using a fiter for a 169g tank on my 37g! Bigger IS better

 

[bala_aquarium]

ok then ill think thats what ill do.any special types of carbon or anything i should fill the canister with? because i know theres dif types.

 

[fishtrap]

Eheim, Fluval, and others make different media. Coarse for primary, porus for bacteria, pads for fine particles. You'll want to use those three types, at the same time, at minimum.

Carbon removes potentially harmful metals from the water. Some people use them when starting a new tank but a healthy tank more than likley won't need them. DO NOT use carbon if you are setting up a planted tank. It removes trace elements that plants need.

 

[balafreak]

but why would a normal filter pad coontain cabon?ive used carbon for ever in my 20g.my plants where fine till i ripped them out.

 

[fishtrap]

My guess is marketing -"These refills have carbon -they MUST be better"

The planted tanks that I was reffering to are the heavely planted, high lighting, add fert's type of tank. Many plants will grow with carbon but most will probably grow better without

BTW... caniters are ideal for planted tanks also.

 

[fishtrap]

BTW... carbon really only stays active for 4 ~ 7 days in a filter. After that, it just becomes passive filter media.

 

[bala_aquarium]

ya just like balafreak said, the filter pads ive been buying also contain carbon.