Help me pick a canister...

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
C

cvermeulen

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Jun 4, 2007
1,876
3
36
Los Osos, CA
I have a 70gal sump on my 200 gallon DIY tank... unfortunately it was the first sump I've built and has some design flaws (I'm working on ways to correct them, but for now...). I am running a pair of 50gpm capacity 100 micron industrial filter bags, but I need to clean them daily. Tonight I actually emptied the sump when I did my water change, and discovered a TON of crud buildup on the bottom from the water overflowing the filter bags when they plug up...

Anyways, to make a long story short, I want to supplement my filtration with a large canister (the sump DOES do a great job of bio filtration). I have about 10"wide by 18" deep, but 32" tall beside the sump to add stuff... which is about perfect for most of the filters I've looked at so far. I have looked at the Hagen Fluval FX5, the Rena Filstar XP4, and the Eheim Pro 3... I don't like the cost of the eheim, and the fact that it seems to have WAY more bells and whistles than I need... but then again, eheim has a great rep, so... I DO like the fact that the fluval pumps a huge volume, and seems to be pretty cheap. I wonder though if it's noisy or something if it's that cheap (?)

The only absolute constraints on my selection are the space, and my overflow capacity - I'll be using the same standpipe I have now, and adding the flow to it. Of course, cost is a concern - I will pay for something that I need, but I don't want to pay for digital readouts, LEDs, and flashy packaging - it will be hidden afterall.

Recommendations? Remember, I'm mostly after the mechanical side of the filtration.
 
The FX5 is your best choice ..especially for extra mechanical filtration.
 
Rena XP3 or XP4.
 
OK, well thanks for the iput on the Rena filters... can you give me any more info on why you would choose those particular filters? The XP4 is pretty cost effective, but at 450gph compared to the FX5's 700 or whatever it is, seems kinda wimpy. This tank is not overstocked presently, but when everyone grows up a bit, it certainly will have a messy bioload. I'm pretty sure my overflow will support the additional flow. I'd rather have too much, and dial back my W/D flow than not enough.

Another problem I'm hoping to help by increasing the flow is having less bubbles go down my overflow, and thus quiet it down a bit.
 
canister filters have their own intake, i dont think you want to hook it into your overflow, this could cause air to enter your canister filter, a big no-no. how is your filter clogging daily if tank isnt overstocked or your not overfeeding. i dont clean my fiterpads in any of my filters for atleast a month or more with out probs. i think the problem is the socks you are using.
actual gph on a loaded xp4 is 175gph give or take, it says it on the box. 700gph is what the fx5s pump is capable of but loaded and actually under the tank its alot less, although dont know actuall gph. its not all about gph but also contact time with the media, its a give and take relationship.
 
The FX5 is closer to 900gph even when filled with media. Additionally it's designed with a lower port enabling you to backflush the canister....lengthening the time between servacings. In your application...running the standard outside foam....a single layer of bio-media in the bottom and the rest filter floss is your best option.

When comparing the Rena and the Fluval.....understand that it would require 2 xp-4's to equil a single FX5.
 
dmopar74;1069480; said:
canister filters have their own intake, i dont think you want to hook it into your overflow, this could cause air to enter your canister filter, a big no-no. how is your filter clogging daily if tank isnt overstocked or your not overfeeding. i dont clean my fiterpads in any of my filters for atleast a month or more with out probs. i think the problem is the socks you are using.
Click to expand...

I am thinking I'd put a bulkhead in my sump, or build another collection chamber into the system, so no air would get into the canister's intake line.

The tank isn't overstocked, but I think the 100 micron filters are a bit too fine as it is... particularly when I feed zucchini to the plec, it makes a mess. Little plant fibers, some MTS, bits of driftwood, etc. I am powerfeeding presently, tapering down to a more normal feeding schedule right now, but I have some messy fish. Another part of the problem is that the filters are mostly submerged, only the top 2" is out of the water, so there is only 2" of water pressure to push flow through the bag. It doesn't take a lot of blockage before the filter bag overflows - obviously if I was going to build it again, I'd do it differently.

The tank is a 200ish gallon with 5 2.5" loaches, a 11" gibbiceps, a 6" butterfly plec a 4" oscar, a 4" goldfish (don't ask), a 7" BGK, and a 7" silver aro. So like I said, right now the bioload is way below the tank's capacity, but everyone will grow quickly, and only get messier from here.
 
well its up to you what can you want. i love my xp4 it doesnt take up much room, it works great, price is right for me. i searched the fx5, it stated 925gph empty, 607 gph loaded. people get all bent outta shape talkin bout filters. if you want mech go fx5, bio i hear eheim is great, both i say xp series. for the price try 1 xp3 or 4, if its not enough get another. it would end up bout the same as the fx5 or just go with the fx5, ive never had one so i cant say how good they are.

canisters are fed by gravity so it must drain from the tank.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom