Whats your fav. filter/canister?

[SarahCdnNanny]

Ok, so if I can't get these other filters to work, I'm going to need to buy something new for the new tank.

Its only a 25 gallon, but I'd like to get something decent (so over filtering isn't a big deal, I can always use the newest filter on possibly a bigger tank in the future right??)

So the question is.... What would you buy??

I'm not going the UGF route, and I will likely try real plants, but nothing too fussy. I'm not sure about lighting, and may need to a get new hood altogether as I just tried the lights for this used tank I bought and the electronics in it are toast.

After a fishless cycle, I would like to have a couple frogs, a school of small fishes in the future but my goldies will likely live in this new tank until they are big enough to go in the netted outdoor pond.

Any preference on filters? Whats the deal on inserts to go inside (I like ones that are easy, cheap and readily available) And what is a canister? I'd like to keep as much real estate in the tank set aside for the fish/plants and I really like the water flow the HOB filters provide... but I don't know what a canister is (I'll go research! LOL)

Thanks for letting me ramble! I'm really glad to have found this board...

Also is myfishtank.net the website associated with the fish STORE, myfishtank in Nanaimo BC?? Just wondering, as its a couple blocks away!

Sarah

 

[FroggyFox]

Nope, we're not associated with that pet store that I know of.

Personally...this new tank that I have cycling is my first tank with a canister filter, and so far I really like it...its very quiet and seems to be perfect for the tank. It is a Fluval 304. Its a lot bigger than I thought it was going to be, but it hides nicely underneath the tank in the stand. Basically that there is a big box that holds your filter media and the filter parts...and then two hoses going into the tank. One hose takes water out and the other puts water back in. I like it a little better than the HOB just because you have SO much capacity for filtration...where I only have spots for one or two cartridges (3 or 4 in the really big ones) there are two big sponges and then 3 big baskets (divided in half) for you to put any kind of filter media in that you want to, and the water is forced through them. In a lot of my HOB's there is water spilling over the top of the cartridge or around the cartridge if there's gunk in there or if the water is turned up...but I think a canister filter is more efficient because it won't let that happen.

For a 25G tank I think a canister might be overkill...but they do make much smaller versions of it...so do your research and find the right one Oh the other thing is that HOB filters usually cost less.

 

[supapoopa]

Well here is a pic of my canister under my 29 gal tank. A canister really isn't overkill if its the proper size. Key is to check the est. flow rate on the filter you are looking at. I usually aim for a filter that will filter my tank 10 times an hour. So for your tank, look for a filter that est. a flow rate of around 250 gph. A little more filtration then that doesn't really hurt either. *thumbsup2

For your tank, especially if you might put in goldfish (very dirty), I would go with a HOB filter because they are much easier to service frequently (again messy goldfish). Take a look at the Aquaclear 70. Cheap, effective, and the media is reusable so you don't have to go back to the store to purchase replacement filters. The filter hangs off the back so the only thing taking up 'real estate' is the intake tube which is pretty low profile.

Good luck.

 

[FroggyFox]

Oh yeah its really not too bad if you have the right setup. Check out this picture...you can see the hoses coming up from the back of the tank... http://www.myfishtank.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=3902 but when I add some decorations or a background you wont even see those, so you dont have all the unsightly look of the hob.

 

[supapoopa]

Oh yeah its really not too bad if you have the right setup. Check out this picture...you can see the hoses coming up from the back of the tank... http://www.myfishtank.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=3902 but when I add some decorations or a background you wont even see those, so you dont have all the unsightly look of the hob.

Nice tank. Is that the 46 gal bow? I love eet. *thumbsups

 

[FroggyFox]

yep...thats my new one Driving me bonkers empty...thats in my bedroom so I have to see it all the time. It matches the maple bedroom set and everything Froggy trying to contain her excitement

 

[supapoopa]

yep...thats my new one Driving me bonkers empty...thats in my bedroom so I have to see it all the time. It matches the maple bedroom set and everything Froggy trying to contain her excitement

*jealous* LOL


Yeah, I know how that is. *BOUNCINGS My 29 sat in the corner with equipment dangling, just begging to get filled and plugged in for a month. <<< complete torture!



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SarahCdnNanny

Also if you haven't already checked out the reveiws page on this site... check it out. BY CLICKING HERE

Recommend checking out the Rena xp1, xp2. Eheim 2213, 2215. Aquaclear 70/300. Penquin 330/350. Not sure if they are listed on the review page but check them out.