Which of these canister filters are better?

[Toirtis]

My vote ois with the Rena Filstar....I used to like Fluvals (more back in the earlier days of the [acronym:53fb79cb4e="Actinic lighting"]03[/acronym:53fb79cb4e] series), but the Filstars really shine and are getting rave reviews from just about everybody.

[TomK2]

Well, I voted for fluvals with my dollars, I have three of them. The fluval 404 has four baskets to put whatever youwant in. Fluval ceramic rings, floss, charcoal, or even another manufacturers media. If it fits in the basket , you can use it.

I like the fluval better than the magnum. I had one of each, and when I wanted to buy new filters, I knew i liked the fluvals a lot better than the magnum so bought 3 fluvals. I can't comment on the other filters for direct comparison. I suppose I should have bought some other brands when I was buying three to try them out, but I wanted to economize on parts and supplies by having three of the same filters.

[Jchillin]

Here's a pic of my newly installed Fluval 404:



It is amazing and I'm very pleased with it!

[SerLunchbox]

again i will vote for the eheim. It is relieable, does an AWESOME cleaning job. The media works really well for them and the media can be interchanged with most on the market.

But if i had to vote, i would go with a filstar

Thanks for all the helpful replies guys. I'm still up in the air, however I won't be getting it tomorrow. I had a trip planned to go to the pgh zoo & aquarium and stop at 2 fish shops, but I see the one places that sells the canisters only carries fluvals, and they are a bit pricey at that. They want $122.99 for a 304 when I can get one from Big Al's for $69.99 + shipping. It says THAT page hasn't been updated since 7/04 so a phone call would tell me.

Some people have mentioned Eheim's. I know they are probably the best filter, but money is a semi - issue here.

I think what i'll do is this:
I"ll order a fluval 304 and a filstar xp2 from Big Al's. My girlfriend needs a better filtration on her 55 gallon, so I"ll tell her its a new/slightly used gift from me. I"ll test them both out, and which ever I like better will be the one I keep.
Thanks again for all the helpful replies.

-Stewie

[mattrox]

I love my fluval... easy to maintain no probs at all.

[StyleUK]

Filstar all the way :P

[shawmutt]

They want $122.99 for a 304 when I can get one from Big Al's for $69.99 + shipping.

Oh my, I can't believe I answered a thread about canister filters and forgot to give you that advice! I payed $100 for my xp1 at a [acronym:b4c81c9285="Local Fish Store"]lfs[/acronym:b4c81c9285], and you could imagine my dismay when I found them online for $65! That was a turning point in my life , now all my shopping is done online first, brick and morter second.

[Jchillin]

Just for the record...I paid $90 for the Fluval via BigAlsonline. My [acronym:19b73dbfb6="Local Fish Store"]lfs[/acronym:19b73dbfb6] wanted...hold on to your hats $180.00!!! You can't get any better than that.

Yeah, I figured my thread would bring replies of mixed thoughts for the filters. I couldn't believe its almost double the price at the [acronym:7854e932b4="Local Fish Store"]lfs[/acronym:7854e932b4]. I'm not too sure how much shipping will be, but as always, there are other things i need as well. If i'm not mistaken the filstar has a spray bar while the fluval has a pipe outlet like in your pic jchillin. I think i'd like the spray bar better, but i guess time will tell.

-Stewie