Help with new filter for 37 gal tank

[bmg213]

Ive got an AquaClear 70/300 on my 37 gal tank right now, however I need to replace it. The tank is a little crowded but is doing very well.

I have the following:

2 buhsy nose plecos
6 Rummy nose tetras
3 Japonica Amano Shrimp
12 Harlequin Rasboras
3 Panda coreys
4 Ottos
4 Pygmy Corys
2 German Blue Rams
1 Red tail shark

Is there any reason I should consider replacing my AquaClear with a canister filter? I was looking at the XP1 which looked good, but I cant seem to find a compelling reason to spend the extra money on in since my AquaClear has been doing so well for me for about 2 years now.

 

[rich311k]

I don't think you need to upgrade the filter, the AC 70 should be more than adequate. I run one on my 36 with no problems.

 

[bmg213]

I don't think you need to upgrade the filter, the AC 70 should be more than adequate. I run one on my 36 with no problems.

Thanks for the feedback. Like I said, I have not had any problems, other than it has broken after 2 years, however I was just checking to see if there was any reason to replace it with a canister instead of the same thing again. I like trying out different things, so thats why I was tempted.

Thanks again for the feedback.

 

[Esra]

Canisters let you mess with the filter media and can hold a very large colony of bacteria.

But in a tank that size it's probably overkill.

 

[gheitman]

If your tank is planted and you inject CO2, or if you just want to have greater filtration flexibility, it might make sense for you to get a canister filter. I found that switching from a Penguin BIO-Wheel 330 HOB filter to a Filstar xP1 canister greatly increased my plant growth because there was less disturbance of the water surface (and therefore greater retention of the CO2 I was injecting). I also switched from submersible heaters to an external heater (the Hydor ETH 201) which left the tank less cluttered.

 

[bmg213]

Great, more good info. thanks! Im leaning towards just keeping the AquaClear at this point after reading the feedback. I am not doing any CO2 injections, however my plants are doing really well. I spend more time trimming them than I do worrying about water parameters and such...so thats probably a good problem to have.

Again, thanks everyone for the advice.