2 HOB's or 1 cannister?

[spongebob69]

In need of some filter advice. For a newbie fishkeeper and for a 75 gallon freshwater setup. Budget permits me to either get 2 AC500's or a single cannister such as an XP3, Fluval 404, or Magnum 350. What would be your recommendation?

Also keep in mind that at some point i'd like to try planting this tank moderately.

Thanks in advance

 

[grimlock3000]

2 AC500s. I would rather have the redundancy of multiple filters in case anything goes wrong. Also, a single canister is not going to give you enough flow for a 75g tank imo. Of course, the AC500s really might not be the best for a fully planted tank.

If you need to save money, you could get a slightly smaller canister and a AC300... What is your budget anyway? Might make this a lot easier to give a reccomendation.

 

[TankGirl]

I'd go with the XP3 and an AC for good measure.

 

[spongebob69]

budget for my filter will be no more than $200 before taxes. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[TomK2]

well, a fluval 404 is $89 US, an aquaclear 500 is under $40 US, so is getting both over $200 Canadian? Many recommend the HOB /canister combo. Buy online, of course!

 

[spongebob69]

Thanks everyone. I think i'll go with an xp3 to start and look at adding a AC later on when i'm stocked more fully.