a filter that keeps everyone happy

[viejafish]

Nice tanks. But HOB filters are not leak proof... if the return clogs, all the water in the tank down to the intake will be on the floor. I've seen it happen with an Aquaclear 110.

Not true. How about this poster. Do a search on HOBs and you will find more. AC is the most popular filter in MFK, but the only HOB reported leak.

There are more leaks reported for canisters, and rarely for air hose, but can happen.

 

[tiger15]

I did a search on MEK and found the following flooding accidents in decreasing frequency: overfilling, canister, AC, sump, and air pump.

Overfilling
https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/need-advice-asap-flooded-bsmt.333822/#post-4189186

Overfilling and prevention
https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/overflowing-tanks.553941/page-2

Eheim Pro II 2026 failed
https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/...ded-due-to-broken-filter.517601/#post-6198184

Marineland canister failed
https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/...ilters-i-have-ever-owned.556520/#post-6639985

Aquaclear overflowed
https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/aquaclear-filter-overflowed.535606/#post-6404360

Sump return hose popped off
https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/living-room-sump-flood.310166/#post-3913745

Air hose drained half of my 125
https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/disaster-coming-home.439222/#post-5367365

 

[adamsfishes]

Aquaclear overflowed
https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/aquaclear-filter-overflowed.535606/#post-6404360

Confirms everything I said. There's always going to be the "I used it for years without an issue therefore you must be stupid if yours overflowed" kinda guy out there. Look in the thread, even duanes had one overflow. I guess he doesn't know what he's doing.

Or folks could buy modern filter designs that actually sit level and overflow into the tank. To each their own.

 

[Zanzag]

So in the AC link you put up it was brought up that to solve the issue of an ac potentially overflowing to angle it towards the tank. That and running appropriate media..

 

[lp85253]

sponge filters w/ powerheads are pretty leak proof.. nothing is perfect , but that's darn close to it..

 

[adamsfishes]

sponge filters w/ powerheads are pretty leak proof.. nothing is perfect , but that's darn close to it..

I agree that's a good solution for something like a breeder tank. I might use them if I was breeding feeders. But not in my display tank, they're ugly as heck.

 

[islandguy11]

Won’t work, even if your tote is as large as your tank. What if the leak occurs while you are sleeping or away from home, or your return hose falls off. The only safeguard is no external plumbing, no external clamps or O ring.

True enough though the big kahuna's suggestion is still a good one and at least provides some protection. I have both my Sunsun 704 canister filters in separate good sized totes (next to, not under my tanks), each with (a very loud) water alarm.

Yeah if nobody was home though it could be a problem -- but when I go on business trips I usually turn my 'fish cam' (with audio) camera that covers 2 of my Arowana tanks. Gives me a bit of peace of mind to be able to check on them anytime (and call my daughter or staff to assist if needed).

Another thing I do is to make sure intake lines are set at a height my fish could survive at even if the tank mostly emptied (and I have 2 air stones on each tank, all connected to large DC air pumps that switch on automatically if the power goes out).

 

[tiger15]

I cannot find one thing nice about canister filter if one employs it to run big fish tank.. Big fish produce big waste load, and filters need to be cleaned frequently to reduce nitrate production. It’s PIA to clean canister, so it disincentives hobbyists to clean often by sweeping waiste underneath the rug. Hobbyists who do the right maintenance of cleaning canister frequently will strain the O ring and connectors faster waiting for leak and mistake to catch up. It’s a lose lose situation.

That said, canisters are standard for planted tank folks. Aquascapers keep high plant mass and low fish load, typically small schooling fish, so a canister can last forever. Most importantly, canister can drive in line CO2 reactor and hide all equipment out of sight that are important to aquascapers.

I don’t follow the rule and refuse to use canisters for my planted cichlid tanks. I have heavy fish load and my tanks are located in vulnerable living area. I run multiple cartridge style HOBs in the back which I clean twice a week, and internal CO2 reactors. By eliminating all external plumbing, I eliminate all chances of equipment leak and can sleep well when I am away from home.

 

[adamsfishes]

Tiger, do you prefer cartridge HOBs? It's not clear from your posts.

 

[viejafish]

You have already asked the same question on Post 41 and got answers.