AC fanboys got me thinking about it too. I bought a Marineland 530 Canister filter, thinking I'd go pro and do it right, it's a real beast. It does the job alright, but the more I think about it and in hearing others view points, what can a canister do that a powerful HOB can't do ? The big argument I hear often is how large and plentiful the media capacity is. Does it really matter how big ? I have the beast working with a 75 gallon and for a 10 gallon just a run of the mill nothing special HOB, both are cycled with 0 ammonia/nitrites. So what do I need this big beast canister for again ? Once the tank has established it's beneficial bacteria, I'm not sure if it really matters any more how big your media capacity is or does it ?
I think one of the obvious benefit with the canister is the powerful flow, 530 gph, although I hear the AC moves a lot of water too and just one AC110 is 500 gph, so two on my 75 would give me double the flow and cheaper with less maintenance too. I was thinking of getting a second canister but why ? Do I really want double the PITA ? I have some sponge filters on the way too so that combined with a couple of AC 110's would be snappy I think.
I got the canister at a low price $160, so can't complain.
The AC looks like a very sound alternative to a canister filter. Best of both worlds perhaps.