Cannister VS HOB filter - Aquarium Advice

kmgriff72 · 06-19-2006, 07:00 PM

I have a Fluval 404 filter that I used on my SW tank. I was just wanting the opinion of everyone of what type of filter they preferred.
My Fluval did a good job and is not that difficult to work on just time consuming and more complexed probably than a HOB filter. I was wanting to know if I should invest in a HOB filter and ditch the Fluval for ease and less hassle?

**Zagz** · 06-19-2006, 08:49 PM

Cannisters are better filters IMO. I use both HOB's and cannisters but if you already have the Fluval, stick with it.

chotie · 06-19-2006, 09:54 PM

cannisters are better because most have options to change media choices. HOBs are noisy, are an eyesore, and required MUCH more cleaning than my cannisters.

**Fishyfanatic** · 06-19-2006, 09:55 PM

I prefer canisters. They are much more efficient than a hob. But if you are filtering a small tank (anything under 29 gal), go with a hob. Otherwise, splurge and get the canister.

JustOneMore20 · 06-19-2006, 10:22 PM

I just got a cannister filter, an XP3, and it is super quiet. Much quieter than my HOB. The new XP3 is for my new 55g, but I'm already planning on getting another for my current 55g.

kmgriff72 · 06-20-2006, 01:07 PM

Well, I guess I will stick with the Fluval since it does work good (and I paid $150.00 for it and have only used it 3 months) and maybe add a HOB filter to go with it if I decide to do fancy goldfish since they are so messy. Another question, do yall prefer air stones or a bubble wand? I am new to this but I figure they both serve the same purpose, getting oxygen in the water. I saw a treasure chest that you hook an air pump to and then the bubbles come out the top and it was pretty cool. I guess it wouldn't hurt to have both. I am also wondering if I need to put a powerhead in my 75 gallon just to keep the water circulating?

src · 06-20-2006, 02:33 PM

Actually, my understanding is that the bubble wands/airstones actually add very little oxygen to the water. They do, however, create circulation which stimulates the uptake and distribution of oxygen from the surface of the water.

kmgriff72 · 06-20-2006, 04:07 PM

Ok, well maybe I will get one or the other (bubble wand/air stone) and add a powerhead for circulation since I have such a big tank. Thanks for the info.

maxwell1295 · 06-21-2006, 01:18 PM

Is there a rule of thumb regarding flow rate (gph) between a canister and a HOB.

For a 50 gal tank, what flow rate would be needed for a canister vs. a HOB.....or are they both the same? Is one more efficient than the other?

Is 250gph the same whether it's a canister or HOB?

Alshain · 06-21-2006, 02:34 PM

gallons per hour is the amount of gallons it turns over per hour. I don't know how that could be measured any other way.

So in short... no, its exactly the same regardless of filter type.

06-19-2006, 07:00 PM	#1
kmgriff72 Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 92	Cannister VS HOB filter I have a Fluval 404 filter that I used on my SW tank. I was just wanting the opinion of everyone of what type of filter they preferred. My Fluval did a good job and is not that difficult to work on just time consuming and more complexed probably than a HOB filter. I was wanting to know if I should invest in a HOB filter and ditch the Fluval for ease and less hassle?

06-19-2006, 09:55 PM	#4
Fishyfanatic Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 10,267 Images: 15	I prefer canisters. They are much more efficient than a hob. But if you are filtering a small tank (anything under 29 gal), go with a hob. Otherwise, splurge and get the canister. __________________ Vote for Aquarium Advice 10 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 29 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 150 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid

06-21-2006, 01:18 PM	#9
maxwell1295 Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 887 Images: 7	Is there a rule of thumb regarding flow rate (gph) between a canister and a HOB. For a 50 gal tank, what flow rate would be needed for a canister vs. a HOB.....or are they both the same? Is one more efficient than the other? Is 250gph the same whether it's a canister or HOB? __________________ 125G Mostly Malawi Tank 75G Malawi Mbuna 7G Office MiniBow 125 Gallon Mixed African Thread, 75 Gallon Mixed Malawi Thread

06-21-2006, 02:34 PM	#10
Alshain Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Tyler, TX Posts: 807 Images: 4	gallons per hour is the amount of gallons it turns over per hour. I don't know how that could be measured any other way. So in short... no, its exactly the same regardless of filter type. __________________ Remember to vote For AA! 55 Gallon Planted Tank

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06-19-2006, 09:54 PM	#3
chotie Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 129	cannisters are better because most have options to change media choices. HOBs are noisy, are an eyesore, and required MUCH more cleaning than my cannisters.

06-20-2006, 01:07 PM	#6
kmgriff72 Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 92	Well, I guess I will stick with the Fluval since it does work good (and I paid $150.00 for it and have only used it 3 months) and maybe add a HOB filter to go with it if I decide to do fancy goldfish since they are so messy. Another question, do yall prefer air stones or a bubble wand? I am new to this but I figure they both serve the same purpose, getting oxygen in the water. I saw a treasure chest that you hook an air pump to and then the bubbles come out the top and it was pretty cool. I guess it wouldn't hurt to have both. I am also wondering if I need to put a powerhead in my 75 gallon just to keep the water circulating?

06-20-2006, 02:33 PM	#7
src Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Richmond, Virginia Posts: 476	Actually, my understanding is that the bubble wands/airstones actually add very little oxygen to the water. They do, however, create circulation which stimulates the uptake and distribution of oxygen from the surface of the water.

06-20-2006, 04:07 PM	#8
kmgriff72 Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 92	Ok, well maybe I will get one or the other (bubble wand/air stone) and add a powerhead for circulation since I have such a big tank. Thanks for the info.

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