Canister?

[erikmoseley]

Hi all I'm running penguin 350 dual bio wheel and aquaclear 70 on highly stocked 72 gallon african tank. Only been up a couple months and fish are small. I'm debating if I NEED TO do a canister. The 2 filters do 350 and 200 or 250 gph respectively. Most of the canisters I've seen do about 350 gph so my question is ... Is it really an upgrade? I get the flexibility or media factor but I really can do what I want with what I have now. Just curious if its worth the modest I vestment or if I do light upgrade to led first

 

[frank98284]

I would run a canister and a HOB IMO

 

[erikmoseley]

I would run a canister and a HOB IMO

I know lotsa people do but I don't see the advantage of the investment if the gph filtered is the same

 

[Coursair]

I know lotsa people do but I don't see the advantage of the investment if the gph filtered is the same

Canister typically has a lot more surface to grow BB and less chance of bypass. Plus they are usually quiet. Plus you can direct the flow where you want it.

 

[cmbtengnr43]

canister filters have some advantages. the media is customizable and a little cheaper then the pre assembled filters for a hob. more bb media and they filter under pressure with many of the new designs gaurenteeing no bypass. they are quiter and cleaner in appearence as you dont have a bunch of suction inlets hanging down the back wall of your aquarium. im currently using the marineland c560 on my 75 tank which has you guessed it 560 gph. i love it keeps my water crystal clear. now hob will do the job just fine so its really just a personal choice as to whether you think the investment is worth while. many people use a combo of hob and canister but if you get a canister with a high enough flow rate you dont NEED to still utilize a hob. this is all in my opinion as some may tend to disagree with me its up to you to decide good luck !

 

[Crawdaddy]

A lot of people like to run the HOB in conjunction with a canister for the polishing aspect.

 

[erikmoseley]

Thanks. That was my original plan I was given a fluval 304 or 405 I wa gonna run w hob but couldn't get it working. It was working yrs ago and them taken down an sitting. I'm just gonna buy a new one I think but now deciding which is the hard part. I am a big fan of over filtration

 

[Freshwater guy]

I have a 46 gal bow front that I have been running a 305 and a magnum filter on with great results. I run 2 trays with bio max one with floss in the fluval. The magnum does nothing for BB. However, it is a champ at removing large debris. this setup has the added advantage of intakes at different water levels. This keeps a good circulation in the tank and is very effective at pulling debris out before it settles.

 

[erikmoseley]

Thanks. I think I'm going to take the plunge! Now.... What's the best canister to run with a hob as second filter??? Is a fx5 too much filter? I e read that sand Nd fx5 do not mix well as it is too much flow?.... Go with a 406 fluval? There's a deal on amazon for cascade 1500 I don't wanna pass up. 100 and free shipping. Has good reviews

 

[erikmoseley]

I have a 46 gal bow front that I have been running a 305 and a magnum filter on with great results. I run 2 trays with bio max one with floss in the fluval. The magnum does nothing for BB. However, it is a champ at removing large debris. this setup has the added advantage of intakes at different water levels. This keeps a good circulation in the tank and is very effective at pulling debris out before it settles.

P.s. maybe a magnum would work, theyre pretty cheap. and I keep both hob as they both have the Bb and I also have the sponge filter!

 

[Freshwater guy]

I have only ever used fluval canisters, and it is for good reason... I love them and they do a great job IMO. I think you are right to question going too powerful with sand as a substrate. I personally have not used the x5 so I will differ to someone else to answer that.

 

[erikmoseley]

Thanks. I'm leaning to the fluval 405/406 or the cascade 1500 right now. Maybe if I upgrade to 125 I will go to fx5. Opinions welcome!

 

[cichlid_tank619]

Thanks. I'm leaning to the fluval 405/406 or the cascade 1500 right now. Maybe if I upgrade to 125 I will go to fx5. Opinions welcome!

I have to 405s on my 100 gallon which has sand substrate. The sand stays settled and the water is nice and clear. As I always tell people when looking for a good deal, you can get a brand new 405 on eBay for $115+free shipping. I have bought a 305 and two 405s from the seller. Don't buy them in a LFS. Also if you want to run a HOB as well it's just going to be even better.

 

[erikmoseley]

I have to 405s on my 100 gallon which has sand substrate. The sand stays settled and the water is nice and clear. As I always tell people when looking for a good deal, you can get a brand new 405 on eBay for $115+free shipping. I have bought a 305 and two 405s from the seller. Don't buy them in a LFS. Also if you want to run a HOB as well it's just going to be even better.

Thanks. Do you think the 405 for that price is better than the cascade 1500 for 100?

 

[erikmoseley]

Also I can get used fx5 for 180 locally. Any advice ?

 

[cmbtengnr43]

Fx5 great filter!

 

[phin]

Also I can get used fx5 for 180 locally. Any advice ?

thats a good deal.

 

[erikmoseley]

thats a good deal.

Getting it Saturday! Really excited! I really have hard time finding anything bad about it! Putting on 72 gallon with aspirations of a 125 down the road. Now I need to decide to take off and what to keep on with it. I have. Aquaclear 50 or 70 and penguin 350. And also a sponge filter running g on a fluval air pump. Any tips appreciated. I know the penguin w double bio wheels pumps more gph but its awful cartridges need rinsing almost weekly and are expensive. I e rinsed them 5 times as much as the AC but can't say if that's good or bad! It's catching more debris I guess! I am leaning toward taking out the 350 biowheel and the sponge and running fx5 and the AC

 

[Cichlid-dude]

I would run the fx5 and the AC. I love AC filter, one of the best imo.

 

[erikmoseley]

Thanks. I'm not sure it will actually fit! I have 72 bow front on oak stand the stand has open back but the tanks pretty close to the wall and base board. Getting out the tape measure!