Canister Filters - Aquarium Advice

dr.diggler · 08-05-2004, 02:09 AM

I have a 125gallon running with two penguin 400's. Looking to order this week a canister filter. Any suggestions I have it down to

1)Magnum 350 Pro System
2)Rena FilStar xP3 Canister Filter
3)ViaAqua Model 750 Canister Filter
3)Fluval 404
- aftering doing some research I am leaning more to the Rena Filstar XP3
- need some feedback

shawmutt · 08-05-2004, 02:26 AM

2--I got the xp1 and couldn't be happier. I will tell you the same thing I tell everyone else--the xp3 shouldn't be more than $109! Long story short, I got ripped at a [acronym:a0aa469252="Local Fish Store"]lfs[/acronym:a0aa469252] for my xp1.

vega · 08-05-2004, 06:21 AM

Wat about Ehiem? I been using fluval 304 for ~1 year and very happy with it.

docrak · 08-05-2004, 10:52 AM

I would get the Ehiem 2028 or the 2128 with the built in heather. They are on sale right now at Big Al's online. After doing some research I found the Ehiem filters to be the best on the market and definitely worth the money.

grimlock3000 · 08-05-2004, 11:14 AM

I vote for Rena or an Eheim. The ViaAquas do not yet have a proven reliablity record yet and are basically Eheim knockoffs. For the price, they are a good deal presuming they hold up. The Magnum 350 works well but is not a "real" canister filter. Fluval is good, but not as good as the first two ([acronym:c7c0dc5c2a="in my opinion"]imo[/acronym:c7c0dc5c2a]).

Menagerie · 08-05-2004, 12:09 PM

I have a ViaAqua and it has held up great--for the year we have had it sp far. I also have Fluvals. I don't see a difference. Both are quiet and you are able to put whatever media you want in them.

webmoose · 08-05-2004, 12:56 PM

stupid question of the day - If you buy a canister filter do you also have to buy a pump? Or is the pump built into the canister itself? And how are the water lines held in the tank? I've always had [acronym:1877bcc20a="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:1877bcc20a]. I have a [acronym:1877bcc20a="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:1877bcc20a] emperor 400 on my 58...

Has anyone ever had leaks with canister?

dr.diggler let me know which one you decide on.. I was looking at the Eheim 2028/2026 for my 58g..

Moooooooose

jsoong · 08-05-2004, 01:06 PM

My 2 cents - I got the Magnum 350 - used, comes with the used tank - & it is a PITA to set up & use. Lots of parts that has to fit just right & the media basket is not as good as others I've seen (one compartment, so if you use more than one media you have to use bags to keep things seperate). Biggest complaint, I have to purge air out of the cannister every few days (somhow it gets in there even tho I can't find no leak) or the thing is noisy.

My problem may be due to the canister being used, but it's only a year or so old - so it is still an indication of problem with longivity... Since i am using it in a sump/wet/dry setup, I'll prob be replacing it with a real pump!

Mooooose .... the pump is built into the canister, and you hold the lines wiht clips (or I just silicone mine in place). <PS - no such thing as a stupid question

>

**QTOFFER** · 08-05-2004, 01:47 PM

I've never heard or read anything bad about Eheim, Rena FilStar XP, or Fluval cannisters. They're all supposed to be real quiet and I never heard of one leaking.
I've read mixed opinions about the Magnums - some models seem to be better than others.

If you are shopping for a cannister filter, you want one that comes apart easily for maintenance. You want sturdy media trays - the more the merrier for ultimate flexibility. Media bags seem to be a PITA, [acronym:effab36011="In my opinion"]IMO[/acronym:effab36011].

I have the Eheim 2026 and couldn't be happier! The lines are held in place with high quality suction cups. My favorite features are the built-in priming button, the built-in flow meter, and the valve assembly that closes off the hoses whenever you disconnect them from the pump.

vega · 08-05-2004, 01:52 PM

All newer models of canister filter parts can assemble together like lego, including the clip /suction holder (depend on maker) for the water inlet and outlet.

Most important is to get a reputable brand as in most case except for the container and the pump, all parts are replaceable which is great if say 5 years later the filter leaks and you can just order the a replacement rubberband around the canister lid...

[acronym:a53248ac30="Hope this helps (or) Happy to help"]HTH[/acronym:a53248ac30]

08-05-2004, 02:09 AM	#1
dr.diggler Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: NY Posts: 101 Images: 10	Canister Filters I have a 125gallon running with two penguin 400's. Looking to order this week a canister filter. Any suggestions I have it down to 1)Magnum 350 Pro System 2)Rena FilStar xP3 Canister Filter 3)ViaAqua Model 750 Canister Filter 3)Fluval 404 - aftering doing some research I am leaning more to the Rena Filstar XP3 - need some feedback

08-05-2004, 02:26 AM	#2
shawmutt Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Greencastle, PA Posts: 2,050 Images: 6	2--I got the xp1 and couldn't be happier. I will tell you the same thing I tell everyone else--the xp3 shouldn't be more than $109! Long story short, I got ripped at a [acronym:a0aa469252="Local Fish Store"]lfs[/acronym:a0aa469252] for my xp1. __________________ ~Mike Shaw Shawmutt.com. Blogs and Pictures of the Massively Multiplayer Offline game, Real Life.

08-05-2004, 11:14 AM	#5
grimlock3000 Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: maine Posts: 1,971 Images: 1	I vote for Rena or an Eheim. The ViaAquas do not yet have a proven reliablity record yet and are basically Eheim knockoffs. For the price, they are a good deal presuming they hold up. The Magnum 350 works well but is not a "real" canister filter. Fluval is good, but not as good as the first two ([acronym:c7c0dc5c2a="in my opinion"]imo[/acronym:c7c0dc5c2a]). __________________ 26 freshwater 2x Sunburst Platys (2M, 2F) // 3x Neon Tetras (?) // 2x Cherry Barbs (1M, 1F) // 2x YoYo Loaches (?) // 1x Bushy Nose Pleco (M) // 1x Clown Pleco (?) // 15H marine -30# Live Rock -Mixed Snails (Nassarius // Cerith // Astrea // Black Turbo // Mexican Turbo) -8x Blue Leg Hermit Crabs // 1x Banded Serpent Star // 1x Cleaner Shrimp -1x Royal Gramma // 1x Percula Clownfish -2x Mushroom Leather // Metallic Green Star Polyps // Pulsing Xenia // Striped Xenia // Blue Mushroom -Remora + Maxi-Jet 1200 // 2x Maxi-Jet 600 // Maxi-Jet 400 // Visi-Therm Deluxe 50 // Current USA Orbit 2x 40w [acronym:f2db8017b4="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:f2db8017b4]

08-05-2004, 12:09 PM	#6
Menagerie Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 11,246 Images: 77	I have a ViaAqua and it has held up great--for the year we have had it sp far. I also have Fluvals. I don't see a difference. Both are quiet and you are able to put whatever media you want in them. __________________

08-05-2004, 12:56 PM	#7
webmoose Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 1,508 Images: 7	stupid question of the day - If you buy a canister filter do you also have to buy a pump? Or is the pump built into the canister itself? And how are the water lines held in the tank? I've always had [acronym:1877bcc20a="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:1877bcc20a]. I have a [acronym:1877bcc20a="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:1877bcc20a] emperor 400 on my 58... Has anyone ever had leaks with canister? dr.diggler let me know which one you decide on.. I was looking at the Eheim 2028/2026 for my 58g.. Moooooooose __________________ 58 gallon Community Planted - 4 boesmani / 1 praecox rainbow, 3 giant danios, 1 clown / 1 albino pl*co, 1 bronze / 2 albino cories, cherry barbs, sunset platy's, cardinal tetras 8 Gallon hex - 3 F1 Black Brichardi and fry..("Lamprologus sp. Walter") 10 gallon work tank - Pair of dwarf gourami and 2 cherry barbs / 2 gallon - 4 Fundulopanchax gardneri / 10 gallon - bunch of killitanks Vote Here for Aquarium Advice

08-05-2004, 06:21 AM	#3
vega Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Malaysia Posts: 575 Images: 6	Wat about Ehiem? I been using fluval 304 for ~1 year and very happy with it.

08-05-2004, 10:52 AM	#4
docrak Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Troy, Michigan Posts: 252 Images: 5	I would get the Ehiem 2028 or the 2128 with the built in heather. They are on sale right now at Big Al's online. After doing some research I found the Ehiem filters to be the best on the market and definitely worth the money.

08-05-2004, 01:06 PM	#8
jsoong Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Edmonton, Canada Posts: 1,637	My 2 cents - I got the Magnum 350 - used, comes with the used tank - & it is a PITA to set up & use. Lots of parts that has to fit just right & the media basket is not as good as others I've seen (one compartment, so if you use more than one media you have to use bags to keep things seperate). Biggest complaint, I have to purge air out of the cannister every few days (somhow it gets in there even tho I can't find no leak) or the thing is noisy. My problem may be due to the canister being used, but it's only a year or so old - so it is still an indication of problem with longivity... Since i am using it in a sump/wet/dry setup, I'll prob be replacing it with a real pump! Mooooose .... the pump is built into the canister, and you hold the lines wiht clips (or I just silicone mine in place). <PS - no such thing as a stupid question > __________________ 75 gal FW with 30 gal DIY wet/dry/sump. 9 fancy golds, 1 hillstream loaches, 1 rubber-lip pleco (C. thomasi), 3 SAEs, planted.

08-05-2004, 01:47 PM	#9
QTOFFER Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Kew Gardens, NY Posts: 3,691 Images: 30	I've never heard or read anything bad about Eheim, Rena FilStar XP, or Fluval cannisters. They're all supposed to be real quiet and I never heard of one leaking. I've read mixed opinions about the Magnums - some models seem to be better than others. If you are shopping for a cannister filter, you want one that comes apart easily for maintenance. You want sturdy media trays - the more the merrier for ultimate flexibility. Media bags seem to be a PITA, [acronym:effab36011="In my opinion"]IMO[/acronym:effab36011]. I have the Eheim 2026 and couldn't be happier! The lines are held in place with high quality suction cups. My favorite features are the built-in priming button, the built-in flow meter, and the valve assembly that closes off the hoses whenever you disconnect them from the pump.

08-05-2004, 01:52 PM	#10
vega Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Malaysia Posts: 575 Images: 6	All newer models of canister filter parts can assemble together like lego, including the clip /suction holder (depend on maker) for the water inlet and outlet. Most important is to get a reputable brand as in most case except for the container and the pump, all parts are replaceable which is great if say 5 years later the filter leaks and you can just order the a replacement rubberband around the canister lid... [acronym:a53248ac30="Hope this helps (or) Happy to help"]HTH[/acronym:a53248ac30]

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