Canister Filter or Hang On Back Filter????

lil.guppy

lil.guppy

Active Member
Well I switched my double sided penguin from my 55 and put it in my SW tank so that I have more media area. Problem is, that filter is almost 10 years old and I need to get a new one.
I really like the amount of media and different things you can put in a canister filter.
I have never owned one before though. Would I just be safe buying another HOB filter or will I really get alot out of the canisters?
Which brand would you reccomend? Are they difficult to put together?
 
E

eric b 125

Guest
why not do an overflow box and sump? i think a sump is the way to go, but if you dont want to go that route, i'd say a canister filter would be better, if properly maintained.
 
uneverno

uneverno

Active Member
Up and downside to both. Canister will generally get you more flow, and with various devices you can direct/rotate the flow (which will also restrict it), but maintenance is more difficult than w/ a HOB 'cuz you have to take it apart.
I run both on my tank. The HOB holds higher maintenance media (floss, phosphate pads, etc.)
Canisters are not at all difficult to put together. My personal preference is for Marineland as they're a decent mix of price and quality. I do think they tend to inflate their flow rates though. If you want to go top end, Eheim. Do check the Eheim if you go that route though, because some of them are not rated for salt water. (It's indicated on the box.)
 
lil.guppy

lil.guppy

Active Member
Originally Posted by Eric B 125
http:///forum/post/3014133
why not do an overflow box and sump? i think a sump is the way to go, but if you dont want to go that route, i'd say a canister filter would be better, if properly maintained.
I would LOVE to do a sump considering I have a 10 gallon tank but I just have no idea what I am doing with all the return and outake and all that stuff so that is why I was going the route of just a HOB filter. Grrrrrr I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO
 
lil.guppy

lil.guppy

Active Member
Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/3014176
Get yourself a nice Aqua Clear 110 and convert it into a refugium.
with no media or anything? Im confused....
I need something to put prosphate remover, filter pad, carbon, and a few bio balls
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Originally Posted by lil.guppy
http:///forum/post/3014197
with no media or anything? Im confused....
I need something to put prosphate remover, filter pad, carbon, and a few bio balls
Yeah...explain it...LOL...This way I can decide if I want to do something similar with my 29G
W/O bio balls YUCK
 
lil.guppy

lil.guppy

Active Member
Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/3014200
Yeah...explain it...LOL...This way I can decide if I want to do something similar with my 29G
W/O bio balls YUCK
oh those are bad? So is my LR the replacement for "bio balls?"
Is the aquaclear big enough for a filter pad and two forms of media with making the filter over flow
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Originally Posted by lil.guppy
http:///forum/post/3014202
oh those are bad? So is my LR the replacement for "bio balls?"
Is the aquaclear big enough for a filter pad and two forms of media with making the filter over flow
A lot of people like the bio-balls....They came with my sump, I put them in at first, but then when I decided to do the refugium, I took them out...It was just a pain to take them all out, and I just couldn't image doing that weekly or even bi-weekly to rinse them...ALTHOUGH...with a smaller tank I am sure there are a lot less bio-balls....
 
spanko

spanko

Active Member
uneverno

uneverno

Active Member
Originally Posted by lil.guppy
http:///forum/post/3014202
oh those are bad? So is my LR the replacement for "bio balls?"
Varying opinions there. Some say the bioballs will become a Nitrate factory. If properly maintained, I don't understand the difference w/ any media as such myself. Gunk (I believe that's the scientific term) collects on LR too.
Floss in a chamber in front of it, frequently changed, and big ball of Chaeto w/ a light on it after the LR chamber should mostly do the trick.
Have a look at the CPR Aquafuge (they make HOB models) if you don't want to DIY as much.
 
lil.guppy

lil.guppy

Active Member
Ok I am soooooo happy right now! I got the aquaclear 70 and its amazing compared to the penguin. I get to have my little culture stuff, filter pad, carbon, and my bag of prosphate remover all in one handy dandy filter.

I still plan on doing a sump in the near future maybe when hubby comes home I can give that project to him then I can just put this filter onto the sump.
Very please thanks for your help ya'll!
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Originally Posted by lil.guppy
http:///forum/post/3014445
Ok I am soooooo happy right now! I got the aquaclear 70 and its amazing compared to the penguin. I get to have my little culture stuff, filter pad, carbon, and my bag of prosphate remover all in one handy dandy filter.

I still plan on doing a sump in the near future maybe when hubby comes home I can give that project to him then I can just put this filter onto the sump.
Very please thanks for your help ya'll!

What did you do run out and buy one????
Tell me how you like it...OKAY
Thank God for hubby's
....
 
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