Greetings from Fort Mcmurray! If you can get a good deal on a cannister, go for it. I got an Fx5 from petsmart a while back for$264 and love it! They seem to go on sale there all the time. You can also get used fluval 404's for cheap on kijiji and all the parts that wear out ( impellor,shaft, o ring,) are readily available at lfs. I love the aquaclear HOB's but dont like the noise. Plus if you go away for a few days it sounds like a waterfall when you come back. Good luck!!