Canister or hob filter

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johnson5585

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 17, 2008
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California
Ok all,
I am looking to beef up my filtration on my 56 gallon but it is not drilled for a sump (I know about HOB overflows) nor do I have the room for a sump. I can however fit a canister below or stick with a hob filter. I am planning on possibly switching it to a SW tank eventually. I went and looked at different possibilities such as the emperor 400 or a canister. First off the canisters cost a lot more and do not pump more water for the price. The emperor is rated 400 GPH and is about 50 dollars. The canister I was looking at was only rated for 350 GPH and was about $130. More than twice as much for less GPH. So now keeping this in mind and that this tank may be switched over to SW eventually what would you recommend and why? So I will also be adding a Protein skimmer probably HOB as well do to room constraints.

If there are other HOB filters I should look at as well let me know. I know aquaclear makes a good one and I like that as well.
 
If you're going to possibly switch to switch to Saltwater, I'd get a sump so you have somewhere to put your protein skimmer. Otherwise, either or would work fine. Canisters gives you more room to put the tank more closer to the wall and has more room for media. HOB are great as well. Why don't you have room for a sump but a canister is okay? It would take up a bit more space, but should still fit under the stand.
 
I use 2 hob's and a canister, 2 AC110's and a Rena XP3. You can get an AC110 for $33.99 and the Rena XP3 for $109.99 plus shipping.
 
if HOB I suggest AC110.
 
The AC 110 was one of the other HOB's I was looking into. I am not a big fan of biowheels but the guy at my LFS said they are better than the AC 110. I am not sure if that is true or not. The stand I have is a more modern stand and a sump would not fit. Not long enough. But a canister would fit underneath. I like sumps but it just wont fit under this stand. I could set it next to the tank but my wife would shoot me. LOL. Has to be in the stand or behind the tank.LOL
 
Also where do they sell AC110's for 33.99 (or is this for a used one). They go for 89.99. 84 is the cheapest I found.
 
johnson5585;2287283; said:
The AC 110 was one of the other HOB's I was looking into. I am not a big fan of biowheels but the guy at my LFS said they are better than the AC 110. I am not sure if that is true or not. The stand I have is a more modern stand and a sump would not fit. Not long enough. But a canister would fit underneath. I like sumps but it just wont fit under this stand. I could set it next to the tank but my wife would shoot me. LOL. Has to be in the stand or behind the tank.LOL
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Well I use my AC110's for mechanical filtration and my rena xp3 is mostly for bio filtration. Thats why I would suggest a canister and a HOB. There is a thread that has the part number for discounted AC110's, I dont know if you have seen it. Here is the part number for the $33.99 AC110 from drsfostersmith.com, in case you are interested, CK-120311. The code for the cheaper xp3 is CK-907364.
 
I have an AC 30 on my daughters 10 g and I love it. If I go with a HOB it will probably be an AC.
 
johnson5585;2287294; said:
Also where do they sell AC110's for 33.99 (or is this for a used one). They go for 89.99. 84 is the cheapest I found.
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They are brand new. I have ordered 3 of them. One was slightly damaged but they quickly sent out another one with a return fedex label.
 
very cool I will check out that site. I liked the AC 110 a lot and is why I bought one of the smaller versions for my daughters tanks. I will probably get that first then add the canister later. Thanks
 
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