Canister or not to Canister that is the Question!

[Ducati996]

I have two older Fluval 403's on my 125 gallon setup for africans and love them. I've had them for about 6 years. I have a 240 gallon I'm setting up and plan on using two fluval 404's. My plan was to put 2 aquaclear 110's with them. I'm now contemplating try a wet/dry as the addition but really don't have a clue how they work. I also have aquaclears on other tanks and like them as well. So, To the fluvals and aquaclears from me.

Oh, and welcome to MFK! Good people, good info. Pretty new here myself.

Dave

If you wanted to reconsider your choices on the 240, I would suggest the new Fluval FX5 for your 240. I use it on a 220 and its more than enough to keep it sparkeling clean. The FX5 is rated for tanks up to 400 gallons, but personally I would only use it on 300 and under (not because it cant handle it) but to keep the GPH and water turnover as high as possible. I dont think the 404's have enough umph to handle the 240 tank. You could add an Aqua Clear if you wanted but its probably not necessary. It of course all depends on how stocked your tank is. I personally based on your ideas above would hate to maintain 4 filters for one tank. If I was to really overstock my tank, I would put on the 110 aqua clear myself. Of course this is just my thoughts based on what I know works for me now. You could decide a totally different route

Duc

 

[ANGELMINE]

HOW OFTEN DO YOU HAVE TO CLEAN CANISTER FILTER ON 125 GAL

 

[kiloindia]

Thanks duc. I already have the fluvals. I ordered them online from petco. I could try and return them to the store locally. (where the heck is that receipt?!) I'm gonna check into it. Also just finished reading the DIY wet dry someone has on this site, I'm considering trying that as well.

I clean one canister a month. Alternating between the two so each one gets cleaned every two months.

Dave

 

[HarleyK]

HOW OFTEN DO YOU HAVE TO CLEAN CANISTER FILTER ON 125 GAL

Howdy and welcome to MFK!

The cleaning intyerval depends on many factors, like the size of the canister, the fish you keep, feeding habits, media etc. As a general rule, it needs some attention when the flow rate goes down considerably.

HarleyK

ps
please don't use CAPS only, it is considered shouting.
Thanks

 

[guppy]

IMO the canisters are better than hangons and not as hard to maintain as trickle beds (can you tell it has been a long time since I used a wet/dry, lol). Hang ons are cheaper.
Standing aside in the shadows are the supplemenal biological filters, UGFs and fluidized bed filters, both cheap and a great way to really increase your biofiltration.

 

[drewish]

I said something in another thread, but I'm going to replace my Emp 400 with a canister filter. I just installed an eheim on another tank and love it. If you are familiar with the Emp400 and don't mind them, then that would be the cheaper route to go.

 

[zebramoray14]

if you get a canister filter get a ehiem ecco if not get that rainbow life guard inline filter its great check out the reviews on www.cloudytanks.com

 

[Ducati996]

if you get a canister filter get a ehiem ecco if not get that rainbow life guard inline filter its great check out the reviews on www.cloudytanks.com

Im glad you provided that link - it has a nice review on the Eheim 2250 series.

Unfortunately for Eheim, Fluval's Fx5 is vastly improved over it and makes Eheim look old and outdated.

 

[Taz2478]

on my 150 I have the eheim 2028 and an ac110. About to get another 2028 though as the 110 doesnt allow me to push my tank closer to the wall. Might just get that fx5 though.

Cleaning canisters is much easier to me than Hang-on and as I said you can push the tank closer to the wall with canisters.