canister filter, best bang for your $?

[joel618]

What is the best bang for your buck on a canister filter for an overstocked 75gal mbuna tank?

I have 2 emperor 400's on it right now. Im raising fry so I want to use the 400's on my 29gal and 40b. Instead of buying new filters for them, I figured I would upgrade my show tank. I want an fx5 but its a bit out if my price range at the moment. Thanks!

 

[jetajockey]

Best bang for buck? CFS Aquarium Canister filter 500 GPH External Odyssea | eBay

I haven't tried them yet but have heard nothing but good things, and at that price it's hard to go wrong. Some people have railed against them but I haven't seen anyone who actually has one complain about it.

 

[joel618]

Wow, it is hard to go wrong there. Thank you jetta! Im going to order one tonight probably. I will report back after. Am I going to need to buy anything to go with it? I am a canister noob.

 

[jetajockey]

It should come with everything, but I'm not sure.

 

[Mogurako]

I'd buy two and you'd be set! That would give you roughly 10-12 times your total volume turn over per hour and keep your tank super clean.

 

[severum mama]

Moved to General Hardware/Equipment Discussion.

 

[joel618]

I'd buy two and you'd be set! That would give you roughly 10-12 times your total volume turn over per hour and keep your tank super clean.

I like you're thinking! I will have to stager them between paychecks though.

 

[Mogurako]

That should be fine id leave one of the HOB filters on the tank for a week or two to seed your new filter.

 

[jetajockey]

With the size of the media compartments in that kind of filter you could also transfer old media into it as well.

 

[mfdrookie516]

Check your local petsmart. They've been selling the rena XP series at ridiculously low prices lately. I have seen several people buying them for about $40.

 

[Slade]

Please post a review after you have it set up. I've been thinking of the CFS500 or the HW302 for my 55 gallon. One thing I've heard about the CFS500 is the O-rings used for the in & out ports are too thick and make it hard to adjust the flow. Some people have replaced them with Danco #17 O-ring pn 96734 from Home Depot to avoid forcing them.

 

[joel618]

Please post a review after you have it set up. I've been thinking of the CFS500 or the HW302 for my 55 gallon. One thing I've heard about the CFS500 is the O-rings used for the in & out ports are too thick and make it hard to adjust the flow. Some people have replaced them with Danco #17 O-ring pn 96734 from Home Depot to avoid forcing them.

Cool thanx for the tip. Im going to read reviews on the cfs500 and the sunsun 304 tomorrow. I read a bit tonight that has me wanting to look into it more before I order. Im also gonna call petsmart to see if they have any of the Rena's around. I will keep you guys posted and def review whichever I decide to go with. Even if the cfs500 only lasts a year, at $60, that's only $5 a month (less than I used to pay for world of warcraft lol). I just don't want to come home one day to ruined carpet.

 

[joel618]

looks like if i get new o rings and hoses for the cfs 500 i will be good to go. Everyone think its a solid choice? Some reviews people say they will never own anything else. Others say they would never own one again. I think it will be worth finding out first hand. I will buy a sunsun if this one gives me troubles. I can buy one and a half cfs500 for one sunsun 304. im ordering tonight so any last words would be appreciated. lol

 

[joel618]

So I decided to hold off and am buying a sunsun 304b. Do I need a uv sterilizer for $10 more?