Alternative to Canister filter

[jft]

I never had a problem w eheim leaking in 20 yrs not to mention not one replacement part needed in twenty yrs, I agree the user could be doing something wrong I would take eheim based on experience over every canister on the market.

 

[insanity0x1]

Fx5's arnt overkill for a 100. Like others have stated, with regular maintenance, there should be no problem getting years out of an eheim canister. I have a 2217 and will be honest in saying I don't maintenance it as frequent, but have never had one single problem, and I got it in November.
I have a 125 gal with an fx5, 2217, and a cascade 700, it's great, but the fx5 is well balanced on it, no vortex, yet it's not underpowered.
Fx5 all the way

 

[Ancient_Fish_Master]

fx5 is over kill for a 100g... not to mention pricey buying it brand new...
i'd go with a cheap sump w/d setup with a cheap used canister like a
magnum 350 pro for mech filtration. buying both of these used should
run you less then 100$ or around if buying the tad upper scale items.
heck i've bought 2 magnum350 pros used from 2 different people for
40$ and 35$ and im still using them till this day! oh and one of the guy
gave me a extra impeller & bio/filter media for it too! lol

there are people that put fx5's on 40 gal breeders. so no its not over kill for a 100 gal. and ive used the same eheim pro 2 for almost four years without it leaking.