Tip 1 - Look at Flow rate, not the aquarium suited for it. It's a marketing strategy that the filter is overrated for the tank it can handle so that more people would buy them. You want a flow rate of between 4x-10x of your tank volume per hour depending on your fishes. So for example, you have a 100g and want a turn rate of 4x per hour, So you would look for the gph on the box and find one that says 400 and above.
Tip 2 - Go Plus One. When you finally found the filter suitable for your tank, go for the same type but 1 grade higher. For example, if eheim 2213 is just right for my tank, I'll go for the eheim 2215. Overfiltration by a margin never hurts. Also if you make mistakes like overstocking, the damage could be more forgiving. Also the flow rate stated on the box is usually tested with no head loss and media present in the filter (another marketing strategy).
Tip 3 - Brand > Price. A filter is an essential part of the aquarium. Never skim on buy some cheap brand imitations available in the store. Go for reliable brands like Eheim or Hagen. They usually have warrantly for their filters so you won't have to fork out more money should the filter fail. Replacement parts and add-ons like a surface skimmer can also be found easily too.
Tip 4 - Search. Use the search button in the forum to search for reviews on the filter you plan to buy. MFK members who use those filter and encounter problems would normally post complains about the noise the filter is making or leaking problems. Avoid those filters.
if you keep you eyes on dr foster and smith the ehiem classics go on sale all the time for about 115 for the 2217 and they are awesome filters you wont go wrong with them
Just remember that the flow rate on the box is NEVER accurate. It is usually about half that stated by the manufacturer.
Also, if there is ONE thing I have learned....research it best you can and then do what you can afford. I have bought EXPENSIVE pieces of crap based on opinions.
Everybody has one and everybody thinks theirs is right!!! LOL
Jeabo don't make the 304's the 304's are made by SunSun (and are the same filter out of the same factory as the Marineland C series with a few minor cosmetic mods to make them different enough to satisfy SunSun's contract with Marineland)
IF you can find a HW-304B (the one with the inbuilt UV) then you will be pleasantly suprised. I'd rate them as better then a Fluval 405, Rena XP4 or similar.
You'd have to go to Eheim or a FX5 to find a better canister.
only thing I dont like about the CFS-500 is there is no place for media. Im wondering what area of the filtration you could cut out and place bio balls in for better bio media. Might be a good filter just to have it for a back-up filter..
