Canister vs HOB

[Daonni]

There is no such thing as HOB vs Canister. If budget allows you should be running both.

I like my ac110 but if given a choice I would run my can over it anyday. Ya the hob is easier to service but you don't need to run both as long as the canister keeps tank clear. Redundancy is nice but i can't stand the noise hob's make.
I just run 2 canisters on the tank.
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[freak78]

Bad news it was sold. The lfs store owner told me he sold his fx5 and 406 for 200 bucks! Dang did I miss out, feel like an idiot now. The 406 was 2 months old as well if bought them both at the same time. Guess this guy got transferred and where he's going he can't take any fish stuff. His tanks were sold already. He let a 265 gallon tank and stand go for a steal I'm told and the same with his 125 as well.

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[tiger15]

I won't waste money on caniser filters because their design is inherently unsafe. There are O rings and clamps and if any one fails by wear and tear, or incorrectly assembled, you can drain the tank and flood the room. Another unsafe feacture is that canister is a closed system not open to the atmosphere. When the media gets dirty and you have a power outage, it can go anaeroblic quickly and when the power returns, it can flush out the toxic gases to wipe out the fish. There are many disaster reports on canisters, and people just don't get it as manufacturers continue to market the product as the best upgrade from HOBs. without giving enough warning.

If you want to step up your HOBs in big tanks, go with wet and dry sump system. A sump system is more complicated to set up than HOBs, but once it is working, it is as safe as HOBs.

 

[Redearsunfish]

I won't waste money on caniser filters because their design is inherently unsafe. There are O rings and clamps and if any one fails by wear and tear, or incorrectly assembled, you can drain the tank and flood the room. Another unsafe feacture is that canister is a closed system not open to the atmosphere. When the media gets dirty and you have a power outage, it can go anaeroblic quickly and when the power returns, it can flush out the toxic gases to wipe out the fish. There are many disaster reports on canisters, and people just don't get it as manufacturers continue to market the product as the best upgrade from HOBs. without giving enough warning.

If you want to step up your HOBs in big tanks, go with wet and dry sump system. A sump system is more complicated to set up than HOBs, but once it is working, it is as safe as HOBs.

True in a way, but far too alarmist in my humble opinion . A properly set up and maintained canister has very little problems associated with it. While I agree that a sump is your best option, not all fish keepers are able to set-up a sump.

 

[ballinouttacntrol]

That post to me is the equivalent of saying don't drive because there's associated dangers regardless of the benefits

 

[Daonni]

Well said. You can have problems and failures with any type system.

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[ajrhodes]

Hard to find HOB that can fit on some if the acrylic tanks.

I have been running fx5 for about 3 years and have not had any issues just make sure no leaks after cleaning media. If it leaks just add a small amount of vasoline on the o ring.


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[tiger15]

True in a way, but far too alarmist in my humble opinion . A properly set up and maintained canister has very little problems associated with it. While I agree that a sump is your best option, not all fish keepers are able to set-up a sump.

Well said. You can have problems and failures with any type system.

Not true. Canisters have a lot of external plumbing. The intake hose comes out of the tank and routes into the canister placed beneath the cabinet. Another hose comes out of the canister and returns to the tank. The canister itself has many parts, clamps and O ring that need to be taken apart and reassemble each time you clean it. Repeated assembly and disassembly will eventually lead to failure of some parts, or set up error. If the leak occurs when you are not around or sleeping, the tank water will be in the floor. It may not be that big and deal if the tank is in the basement. If the tank is in the first floor, your hardwood floor, carpet and furniture are shot. I know many hobbyists can swear that they have used canisters for years with no issue. But one such accident is enough to change one's mind.

HOBs have no external plumbing to fail. A sump system has external plumbing, but you never take them apart in cleaning once it is set up, so there is no vulnerability of wear or tear of parts or set up error.

Canister is a closed system vulnerable to anaerobic conditions in power outage. When power returns, the canister can flush anoxic gas to wipe the fish, not as bad an accident as flooding as all you lose is fish.

HOB and sump system are open to the atmosphere not vulnerable to anaerobic condition in power outage.

 

[Daonni]

Really dude? I suppose there are no stories of o rings failing on hob's? And do you really think you tear down a can everytime you clean it? And of course sumps don't have hoses that can fail do they?

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[Bderick67]

I won't waste money on caniser filters because their design is inherently unsafe. There are O rings and clamps and if any one fails by wear and tear, or incorrectly assembled, you can drain the tank and flood the room. Another unsafe feacture is that canister is a closed system not open to the atmosphere. When the media gets dirty and you have a power outage, it can go anaeroblic quickly and when the power returns, it can flush out the toxic gases to wipe out the fish. There are many disaster reports on canisters, and people just don't get it as manufacturers continue to market the product as the best upgrade from HOBs. without giving enough warning.

If you want to step up your HOBs in big tanks, go with wet and dry sump system. A sump system is more complicated to set up than HOBs, but once it is working, it is as safe as HOBs.

This is so true. Just look at the billions of threads that have been posted on all these disasters. OMG, there should be laws against canisters even being sold.