Canister or HOB?

[sushiray]

1. If you could provide your opinions & explain why you like one over the other

2. what brands are you using for either or both in what size tanks?

3. how often do you clean the filter/change the media?

4. how often do you do w/c?

personally after using the AC110 + Fluval204 + sponge filter for my 72gal BF with discus & AC110 in my 20gal angel tank, I thought I was all set - parameters good & steady, waters pristine, with daily W/C.

But not till I cleaned out the Fluval204 & had all this crud backwash out (apparently caught in the coiled tubings) & now I think cuz of that I have an outbreak of white worms/planaria & tiny little white "mites", I am going to shut down the Fluval & replace with an AC70. I don't like the canisters since there doesn't seem to be much aeration/agitation within the canister like an HOB AC model.

That's my opinion. Plse offer your insights & experiences.

thks

 

[Toby_H]

I am a huge fan of Aqua Clear HOBs...

The fact canisteres are much more complicated & time consuming to clean out has pushed me to keep their use to a minimum...

I use Magnum canisters with Micron cartridges to fine tuned filtration and to push water through my UV lights.

 

[Angler]

I like using both on tanks. HOB for mostly mechanical, and Canister for mostly bio.

 

[marauders30]

I use a combination of both. i got a canister which is usually good by itself, but i add hob's just for added filtration. those aquaclear hob's are good though

 

[Toby_H]

I like using both on tanks. HOB for mostly mechanical, and Canister for mostly bio.

There is a very interesting thread about the need for bio media that would make someone question the validity of this approach...

I personally disagree firmly with using this approach...

 

[Noto]

Canisters are fantastic until the self-priming mechanism fails; then they're very annoying. I prefer HOBs for their simplicity and ease of maintenance, even if the performance is not as great as a high-end canister filter.

 

[Sab_Fan]

definitely prefer canisters (Eheim classics for me), since they are quiet, have high turnover, and I can be very flexible with my media choices. these can be true of HOBs as well, but I find these elements to be even more true with canisters

FWIW, the Eheim classics don't self-prime, but I've never had more than minor problems in priming them anyway . . .

I do use HOBs on my smaller tanks (15G and below)

 

[Bderick67]

There is a very interesting thread about the need for bio media that would make someone question the validity of this approach...

I personally disagree firmly with using this approach...

I know you on a personal quest to defilter MFK, but considering you have yet to post a pic of any type awe-inspiring, jaw dropping tank. I'm just not buying into it.

It's hard to beat a pair of AC110s and a quality canister on a 150 gallonish tank.

 

[BlueRusty]

definitely prefer canisters (Eheim classics for me), since they are quiet, have high turnover, and I can be very flexible with my media choices. these can be true of HOBs as well, but I find these elements to be even more true with canisters

FWIW, the Eheim classics don't self-prime, but I've never had more than minor problems in priming them anyway . . .

I agree totally. The versitility and long lapses between servicing is a huge plus. I have had NO problems priming any eheim canisters. You can jam pack them with mechanical sponges, or fill it up with bio media. AC makes a great line of HOB filters and do a great job alone but so do canisters. I think that a combo is best, but to each his own. This thread is completely opinion bases. No one wins this one. (should have been a poll thread)

But to answer the OP.
2. See Sig
3. Service AC monthly, Service Eheims every 6-8 months (depends on stock of tank)
4. Water changes weekly (35%)

 

[ztardivo]

i prefer the canister filter, only reason being my old HOB got backed up and drained my tank onto my floor to the bottom of my intake.