whats the BEST canister filter for 180 gl tank.

[Ducati996]

Seriously? 2 AC500s on a 180?

Was it lightly stocked? They have good flow rate, but I just wouldn't have thought they'd have the media capacity to deal with a tank that big, unless it was a really light stocking level.

I have never used a HOB at all actually, how are the AC500s? How good are the pumps? Do they clog easily like internals?

They are probably the best "bang for the buck" filters out there. Most of mine are 15 years plus - no parts replaced yet. I think you can get them for $40 or less these days. 500 gph rated, will only clog when your tank is a total mess I posted pictures of that tank in some of my earlier posts....back then who cared about biological -

 

[lascombes]

Where is there an xP3 for $80?!Excited, I went to the site and saw the xP3 was still $100...I think you ment The XP2...

Their prices must have just gone up but I did get mine for that price. I also scored a emperor 400 off of there for 39.99 buckaroos.

 

[faststang1]

Get the eheim, its the Best, pro3

 

[rumblesushi]

Ducati, I might give HOB filters a go out of curiosity. One thing though - how do you make sure the lid is 100% covering the tank with HOB filters?

 

[StiffMeister]

i can speak from personal experience with a lot of eheim cannisters, the pro3 is absolutely the best ive ever had. im gonna get me a 2260 this week too so cant speak for that yet but if you buy a pro 3 im sure you will not regret it. like rumble says, it doesnt clog, holds 12L of biomedia and is very easy in cleaning. mine is running for around 3 months now without cleaning and no drop in flowrate is visible. i think the 2260 is about the same except for the basket concept.

 

[rumblesushi]

Stiff knows the score

 

[Potts050]

I too purchased some snails and placed them in the baskets...I own a xP3 BTW...My lfs sells different types of crushed coral, dry or wet...There some that are bagged in saltwater...The wet type supposingly has live bacteria, but it is saltwater...Can I buy this stuff and just rinse it???

Yes that should be no problem. Nitrifying bacteria are by and large soil bacteria any way and most are capable of living in both salt and fresh water. Unless your tank is really small (which I doubt) you neednt worry too much about rinsing all of the salt out either. A quick rinse should do it.

 

[importracer]

Yes that should be no problem. Nitrifying bacteria are by and large soil bacteria any way and most are capable of living in both salt and fresh water. Unless your tank is really small (which I doubt) you neednt worry too much about rinsing all of the salt out either. A quick rinse should do it.

GOD BLESS YOU my son....GOD BLESS YOU...

 

[Ducati996]

Ducati, I might give HOB filters a go out of curiosity. One thing though - how do you make sure the lid is 100% covering the tank with HOB filters?

I use perfecto glass tops that are precut for lets say 3" less on one half. Thats the side you use for the HOB filters. To fill in the remaining space, plastic 3 ft sleeves close up any open space (cut to length)

 

[rc604]

I'm running a Fluval FX5 and a 404 on my 210. I've only had the FX5 for about a month, but so far so good. I've got two 7" Oscars and a 13" Florida Gar in the tank.