am getting new filter and was wondering what yall's opinions are about the best filter brand out there?
Opinions on best brand of filters?
- Thread starter Minus2003
- Start date
Well my 29g is my first tank, so i don't really know a lot about filters(canister,hob,etc.). My tank now has a hob. Is there a difference between the types or are they just pretty much preference?
Every filter has advantages and disadvantages. The success or failure you expierance depends IMO on the individual application combined with your maintaince rutien. I tend to play to each filters individual strengths and run several differant ones to compliment each other.
If I had to be nailed down to having one single filter system on everything I own it would be a sealed pressure system. (individual componants driven by an external pump.) Ocean clear.....Rainbow lifeguard....Tru vue.....Ect.
I tend to shy away from brand loyalty because no single brand makes everything well. Even Ehiem has low cost "bargan" lines that I wouldn't use. The same goes for some of my favorites. I have a LOT of Fluval 404/405's along with a couple of FX5's but you couldn't GIVE me a 403...
I have several Aqua clears in use that I picked up with various used tank deals and they do a good job but I'd never go out and buy one...Hagan manufacurers BOTH Aqua clear HOB filters AND Fluval canisters...It's odd to me that one is increadably popular and the other is badmouthed.
My advice is to buy each piece of equipment based on it's own merits and always run more than one filter system.
If I had to be nailed down to having one single filter system on everything I own it would be a sealed pressure system. (individual componants driven by an external pump.) Ocean clear.....Rainbow lifeguard....Tru vue.....Ect.
I tend to shy away from brand loyalty because no single brand makes everything well. Even Ehiem has low cost "bargan" lines that I wouldn't use. The same goes for some of my favorites. I have a LOT of Fluval 404/405's along with a couple of FX5's but you couldn't GIVE me a 403...
I have several Aqua clears in use that I picked up with various used tank deals and they do a good job but I'd never go out and buy one...Hagan manufacurers BOTH Aqua clear HOB filters AND Fluval canisters...It's odd to me that one is increadably popular and the other is badmouthed.
My advice is to buy each piece of equipment based on it's own merits and always run more than one filter system.
I have a 29g thats housing 8 baby GT's until they get large enough to sex and move to breeder tanks. I'm using a Hydro5 air driven foam filter and two HOB units I had laying around in reserve. A medium sized AC...50 or 70..can't remember and a cascade that I picked up in an equipment deal. The water qualitys fantastic and as clear as a cube of glass.
You couldn't really go wrong with an Emperor 280 on that 29 gallon. They turn up used here all the time for around $20.
From personal xperience my favorite is Eheim but as Wolf3101 said every filter has flaws. So basically it's down to what flaws you want to have or don't mind. See Eheims have a poor flow rate but I don't mind this at all because they hold more BIO and filter excellent even with slow GPH. However Fluvals have a higher GPH in which they can move water quick and filter alot of water in the shortest amount of time. For HOB's people say AC and Emp's are the best route but this is not always true. Emp's have a sort of sluggish GPH and don't have great turn over rates but AC has excellent turnovers. But obviously Emp's hold a lot more bio than any AC. Wolf3101 is right with the Ocean Clears They are FANTASTIC but WAYYY to big for any 29 gallon even 150 gallons. For the 29 go with a Eheim 2213.
LOL yep...I have the ocean clear's reserved for the 4'x4'x3'. I was mostly answering the question in general terms. I think a HOB unit in the the Emporer 280 or AC 70 class would be the best filter for a beginer to start out with and learn the ropes. Either one will still be around and working 8 years from now and are much easier for a novice to take care of than a canister.+
Theres one last concideration...
We've all seen a LOT of filters come and go in the last few years...anyone remember the sandman line? Marineland and Hagen still make replacement parts for the FIRST bio-wheel and Aqua clear filters manufactured.
Theres one last concideration...
We've all seen a LOT of filters come and go in the last few years...anyone remember the sandman line? Marineland and Hagen still make replacement parts for the FIRST bio-wheel and Aqua clear filters manufactured.