Canister filters

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I think we need to take a step back on suggestions and ask the OP if they know for SURE what tank they will be running. Trying to buy a canister that will suffice for both a 40gal and a 125gal tank is not a good idea and not the ideal way to handle things. Buying a canister filter for a 40gal and a canister filter for a 125gal is the least expensive and best way to go about this situation. Running a FX5 for a 30gal is overkill, plain and simple. Keeping it turned all the way down puts more wear and tear on the circulation system and it's better to just allow them to run w/o back pressure to lower speeds. Not to mention it costs WAY more in the filter and media than you need for a tank that size. On top of all of that you have electricity use and then the real estate for a filter that size may be difficult to come by under a 40gal. These are all practical considerations and if you weigh them all carefully I think you will find that having a canister filter capable of running a 125gal aquarium to be a square peg & round hole scenario. There are a LOT of smaller filters that would be perfect for that 40gal aquarium that I would consider if I were you and if you end up needing one for that 125gal then you can shop for filters capable of handling that. Heck, I've got a lightly used Fluval 305 that I'll be selling in the next couple of weeks that would be perfect for a tank that size and save a TON of money over an FX5 in electricity, media and initial cost. Not trying to peddle my own wares but giving you an idea what would be out there that might suit your needs.
 
Seeing as I'm pretty positive this planted tank will be down in a years time I'm not keen on blowing 100 dollars on a throw away item. But I was thinking of doing the Eheim 2217, would do the 40 fine and still handle a tank more than twice the size.
 
kamikaziechameleon said:
Seeing as I'm pretty positive this planted tank will be down in a years time I'm not keen on blowing 100 dollars on a throw away item. But I was thinking of doing the Eheim 2217, would do the 40 fine and still handle a tank more than twice the size.
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Which is still only an 80gal tank. I get what you're saying but you're not 'throwing it away' a year or more down the road on something that may or may not happen (if I had a nickle for every plan I had that I was sure of that didn't quite pan out...) since you can always sell it. You're welcome to spend your money however you want but if you come here asking for our opinion don't be surprised if we give you one.
 
I have a fx5, 2 405s, a ehiem 2217 and a pen plaxx casacde 1500, the loudest one of the bunch is the cascade 1500, but you have to be close to it to hear it. You shouldn't have any trouble with any quality canister in your room.
 
My 120 is in my bedroom. I have a fx5, 2 ac110s, and a rena aerator on it. Pretty quiet, the peacock bass wake me up in the morning though. I hear them snapping at the surface.

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I understand your thoughts and appreciate them. Sorry if my dry responses are recieved the wrong way. I appreciate all the input from everyone. I'm just tight on money. I still have a fish farm in my basement that this will move to when I break down the 40 gallon and setup a much larger tank that will run on a sump. I was just hoping to have an extra monster filter on hand is all.
 
kamikaziechameleon said:
I understand your thoughts and appreciate them. Sorry if my dry responses are recieved the wrong way. I appreciate all the input from everyone. I'm just tight on money. I still have a fish farm in my basement that this will move to when I break down the 40 gallon and setup a much larger tank that will run on a sump. I was just hoping to have an extra monster filter on hand is all.
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This statement is exactly why I suggested buying what you need now, now.

Option 1) You can buy a filter for $100-$150 that will suit your needs just fine right now and includes media. Then, when you need to upgrade you can do so and your year old filter will still be worth not much less than what you paid so you basically are 'renting' the filter you need now for $20-$30 or so. Not too bad really. Plus if your plans change (pretty common) you still have the filter you need. Also, the smaller filter will generally (not always as some cheaper ones use less efficient motors) use less electricity but this is such a small amount of $ in a month it's hardly worth talking about. If we're still measuring this in the span of a year's time it would be noticeable but hardly worth basing your decision on. Just something to think about.

Option 2) You can buy a filter for $250+ that still requires buying media to go with that so plan on over $300 by the time you're all said and done or about double what you can do on option 1. You will be putting a years worth of use on a filter that costs twice as much and if you end up changing your plans you're still stuck with WAY too much filter than you actually need for that 40gal aquarium. On top of that your media will likely cost twice as much give or take just because it's roughly twice as much you're going to be using whenever your replacement intervals are. In an attempt to compare apples to apples let's say you decide to sell this one in a year for whatever reason (you realize you will be staying with the 40gal for instance) your loss selling it used would more than likely be roughly double since your initial purchase price was roughly double so you would actually lose $40-60 or so.

Now, these are all hypothetical situations there's no sense debating the numbers or models or whatever because it's a hypothetical to try to express the point I'm trying to make. You should consider buying the right filter now ESPECIALLY if money is right since that's the biggest factory. If money wasn't a factor you would buy a $500+ filter for each of your aquariums and not care one lick.

In the end it's your money, your tanks so do whatever you want but I'm just giving my opinion on what I would do if I was in your shoes.
 
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