Well I have always ran HOB filters on my tanks. I currently have 2 penguin 350s on my 55g. A friend of mine has almost the same set up as me but his 2 filters are a different brand. Well he just switched to a fluval 406 and wow what a difference. I always thought my water was clear but with that filter on his it's like crystal now. Definitely when I start up my 125g I'll be using a canister. Can already get a great deal on a fx5 that only been used for 2 months for 125 bucks. I'm tempted to buy it for whenever I get the tank.