So I have done alot of reading into canister filters lately, I have only ever used the HOB filters so this is quite new to me. I just purchased a FLuval Osaka 41 Gallon tank, Mr.Pet's and now need to choose filtration for it. I believe I have it narrowed down to 3, and was hoping to get some input before pulling the trigger.
Fluval 305
CONS
-leak prone more than others, is this accurate? or internet myth? I go away alot so this would be a major concern for me. I have heard its avoidable by replacing the O-Rings every year, and using some vaseline. How big of a problem is this? I hope I don't ignite an argument with this question!
-pain for maintenance and to open up.
PROS
-cheap, LFS has offered it to me for $80 new because I bought my tank there
-Tank is also fluval brand, I don't know if this is any kind of benefit to have the same bran filter/tank.
-nice quality hose attachment to make sure input/outputs stay put no matter what, I tend to be careless, and also have a young and curious 3 year old so this was important to me.
Rena XP3
CONS
-ugly blue/grey input tubes, what the heck were they thinking? this would stick out like a sore thumb on a black fluorite sand substrate and black background, unfortuneatly athetics are important in this setup, so this is a major con for me.
PROS
-can integrate a heater unit with it so one less item in the tank.
-seems to have a good track record for reliability.
Eheim ProII 2126
CONS
-pricier @ $178
-ugly green tubing, can someone confirm they use the green intake in the tank as well or is it black? I was hoping the tubing was only green
-no media comes with
-less flow than others
PROS
-eheim seems to be the leader in reliability from reading reviews
-integrated heater which comes with the unit.
-quality construction
As is, if the intake/outake tubing is black on the Eheim pro2 2126 I would probly lean that way, its unfortunate, the XP3 is also a very nice filter and would save some $$$$, I just cannot get over how much that blue/grey tubing would stick out in my tank, is this replaceable? anything else I should know about these filters?
Value wise Fluval seems like a great deal, especially with the hose attachment system and my household, however if its a common occurance in these to leak more than others, its a deal breaker, I don't mind if the maintenance is a little harder, but don't want 40 gallon on the floor!
Fluval 305
CONS
-leak prone more than others, is this accurate? or internet myth? I go away alot so this would be a major concern for me. I have heard its avoidable by replacing the O-Rings every year, and using some vaseline. How big of a problem is this? I hope I don't ignite an argument with this question!
-pain for maintenance and to open up.
PROS
-cheap, LFS has offered it to me for $80 new because I bought my tank there
-Tank is also fluval brand, I don't know if this is any kind of benefit to have the same bran filter/tank.
-nice quality hose attachment to make sure input/outputs stay put no matter what, I tend to be careless, and also have a young and curious 3 year old so this was important to me.
Rena XP3
CONS
-ugly blue/grey input tubes, what the heck were they thinking? this would stick out like a sore thumb on a black fluorite sand substrate and black background, unfortuneatly athetics are important in this setup, so this is a major con for me.
PROS
-can integrate a heater unit with it so one less item in the tank.
-seems to have a good track record for reliability.
Eheim ProII 2126
CONS
-pricier @ $178
-ugly green tubing, can someone confirm they use the green intake in the tank as well or is it black? I was hoping the tubing was only green
-no media comes with
-less flow than others
PROS
-eheim seems to be the leader in reliability from reading reviews
-integrated heater which comes with the unit.
-quality construction
As is, if the intake/outake tubing is black on the Eheim pro2 2126 I would probly lean that way, its unfortunate, the XP3 is also a very nice filter and would save some $$$$, I just cannot get over how much that blue/grey tubing would stick out in my tank, is this replaceable? anything else I should know about these filters?
Value wise Fluval seems like a great deal, especially with the hose attachment system and my household, however if its a common occurance in these to leak more than others, its a deal breaker, I don't mind if the maintenance is a little harder, but don't want 40 gallon on the floor!