HOB vs. Canister Filter

952saint · 06-30-2012, 02:15 AM

I had a 30g saltwater tank for 2 years up until this past December and am now going to experiment with a planted tank. I picked up a 20L today and am debating between what type of filter to go with. With a rebate that was included with the tank purchase I can buy a Aquen QuietFlow 30 for $4. Obviously the HOB is much cheaper than any canister filter. What are the advantages of going with a canister filter? Additionally, if I went with the HOB filter would it be beneficial to build a UGF PVC setup? Thanks.

Zefrik · 06-30-2012, 02:22 AM

If money allows it, go with a canister filter. Marine Depot is having a 4th of July sale right now and their Eheim Classics are 20% off!!! Really good deal and I good time to buy one. You get probably get away with a 2213 but you will have better flow with a 2215. If that is over your price range, Aqua Clear HOB filters are really good.

discuspaul · 06-30-2012, 02:42 AM

All I can say is - I have used many of both types over a lot of years, and I've come back full circle to HOB's - Aquaclears in particular - you can't beat them - for their reliability/dependability, diversity as to media types & placement thereof, ease of cleaning - & more.

I've had several canisters develop leaks, or fail entirely, be difficult to clean, difficult to prime & start up, and most of all, they lull you to sleep, and tend to make you lazy by getting you feeling you don't need to clean them up as often as you should.
I've had a number of planted discus tanks for years, and I swear by the AC HOB's - wouldn't use anything else, that's for sure.
For your 20 gal, go with an AC 50 - you won't regret it.

952saint · 06-30-2012, 02:47 AM

Will I notice a big difference between the 2213 and the 2215?

Zefrik · 06-30-2012, 02:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 952saint

Will I notice a big difference between the 2213 and the 2215?

I am not quite sure to be honest. I was going to go with a 2215 on my 40 gallon and people talked me into getting a 2217 on it, and my flow is perfect with a 2217. If you do want to go with a canister then I would get the biggest one you can afford or at least what is within reason for your tank, and that would be the 2215. But like Discuspaul said Hob aquaclear filters are pretty good as well. But I have been very happy with my 2217. It is much more quite than the Aqua Clear 70 that is running on the tank next to it.

952saint · 06-30-2012, 03:04 AM

I'm leaning towards the AC 50, I've been looking online for different prices and noticed that on Marine Depot it was $37.59 and on Dr Foster & Smith it was $24.69. Are these the same model? Or am I missing something?

Marine Depot:
http://www.marinedepot.com/Aqua_Clea...G10610-vi.html

Dr Foster & Smith:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...10&pcatid=3610

discuspaul · 06-30-2012, 03:18 AM

Nope, you're not missing anything.
Fosters & Smith's price for the AC 50 @$24.69 is the best you can get. Go for it.

952saint · 06-30-2012, 03:20 AM

That seems like a steal with the free year of media replacements as well

James M · 06-30-2012, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by discuspaul

All I can say is - I have used many of both types over a lot of years, and I've come back full circle to HOB's - Aquaclears in particular - you can't beat them - for their reliability/dependability, diversity as to media types & placement thereof, ease of cleaning - & more.

Yeah, canisters are a PITA.
That said, are not the plants themselves the best bio-filter?

**Complexity** · 06-30-2012, 08:51 PM

I guess it's all a matter of opinion. I think HOBs are a PITA. I greatly prefer canisters. Maybe it's a matter of getting a good quality canister? Hard to say. Mine never leak, always prime easily, are very quiet (I hate the splashing sound of HOBs), are very powerful, and pack far more media than any HOB can ever hope for. Plus, I can add things inline, such as reactors and uv sterilizers and it's all hidden away so I don't have a big mess to look at when viewing my tank.

So when asked which is better, for me, I'd go for a canister over a HOB any day without question.

Diana · 06-30-2012, 10:30 PM

I have a lot of filters, HOB and canisters, and I thing the HOBs are quicker and easier to clean, but only the largest HOB have the capacity of a canister, so the HOB filters need cleaning more often.
If you are looking at HOB filters, the Aquaclear has the best arrangement of filter media. The dense layer traps the dirt better than any cartridge.

Free replacement media for a year?
I have not replaced most of the media, ever.

Sponge: I have one Aquaclear sponge that is finally falling apart... after about 10 years, and I got it used.

Carbon: I keep the carbon that comes with new filters and save it for emergency. I probably have not used more than a gallon of carbon in the 15 years I have had aquariums, and I have always had several tanks (never less than 3, and for a while 25 running). I do not use carbon regularly, since I found out it does not do anything for my tanks.

Bio-media: Does this need to be replaced? If so, why? I just rinse it and keep on using it.

I do add quilt batting and that blue and white bonded material to the filter, and these do not last long. Perhaps half a dozen cleanings for the quilt batting, about a year for the blue and white material then it mats up and I throw it away.

James M · 07-01-2012, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diana

Sponge: I have one Aquaclear sponge that is finally falling apart... after about 10 years, and I got it used.

Easily one the most underutilized, underrated, most convenient and effective filters around.

DishyFishy · 07-01-2012, 01:20 AM

I just got an Eheim Ecco 2232 for $50 on sale at PetSmart. It's super easy to prime, and seems like it will be easy to clean. If you have a PetSmart in your area you may get lucky, they are usually $100.

952saint · 07-01-2012, 02:38 AM

There is a PetSmart near my house, I might have to swing in tomorrow and see if they have any slick deals on a 2232.

shrimpNewbie · 07-01-2012, 04:31 AM

Do yourself a favor pick up the eheim 2215 or even 2217 from marine depot they're super cheap right now and will last forever once it is established its a monster filter. When I ran mine I had two filters one for complete mechanical filtration and then the classic had pure bio. I never had to clean the eheim

06-30-2012, 02:15 AM	#1
952saint Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 25	HOB vs. Canister Filter I had a 30g saltwater tank for 2 years up until this past December and am now going to experiment with a planted tank. I picked up a 20L today and am debating between what type of filter to go with. With a rebate that was included with the tank purchase I can buy a Aquen QuietFlow 30 for $4. Obviously the HOB is much cheaper than any canister filter. What are the advantages of going with a canister filter? Additionally, if I went with the HOB filter would it be beneficial to build a UGF PVC setup? Thanks.

06-30-2012, 02:22 AM	#2
Zefrik Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Topeka, Kansas Posts: 1,017	If money allows it, go with a canister filter. Marine Depot is having a 4th of July sale right now and their Eheim Classics are 20% off!!! Really good deal and I good time to buy one. You get probably get away with a 2213 but you will have better flow with a 2215. If that is over your price range, Aqua Clear HOB filters are really good. __________________ My 29 Gallon \| My 40 Gallon Garden \| My 55 Gallon Budget Tank

06-30-2012, 08:51 PM	#10
Complexity Pelvicachromis Lover! (View User Tanks) PTrader: (34/100%) Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 5,058	I guess it's all a matter of opinion. I think HOBs are a PITA. I greatly prefer canisters. Maybe it's a matter of getting a good quality canister? Hard to say. Mine never leak, always prime easily, are very quiet (I hate the splashing sound of HOBs), are very powerful, and pack far more media than any HOB can ever hope for. Plus, I can add things inline, such as reactors and uv sterilizers and it's all hidden away so I don't have a big mess to look at when viewing my tank. So when asked which is better, for me, I'd go for a canister over a HOB any day without question. __________________ Vicki —Rena Filstar pimp #142 (four XP4s/three XP2s/one XP1) • Eheim pimp #301 (Pro II 2128) • Victor pimp #27 (VTS-253B-320) • 90g - Journal Pelvicachromis taeniatus 'Moliwe' —— • 75g - Journal Pelvicachromis pulcher 'Lagos Red' Better Pics 8-24 • 29g - Journal Pelvicachromis pulcher 'unknown' —-- • 29g - Pelvicachromis taeniatus 'Moliwe' • 5g - RCS colony —————————————————— • 2.5g - Journal Retired

07-01-2012, 04:31 AM	#15
shrimpNewbie Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: May 2011 Location: california, orange county Posts: 1,838	Do yourself a favor pick up the eheim 2215 or even 2217 from marine depot they're super cheap right now and will last forever once it is established its a monster filter. When I ran mine I had two filters one for complete mechanical filtration and then the classic had pure bio. I never had to clean the eheim __________________ 25 Gallon Brazillian jungle cube

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06-30-2012, 02:42 AM	#3
discuspaul Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 1,589	All I can say is - I have used many of both types over a lot of years, and I've come back full circle to HOB's - Aquaclears in particular - you can't beat them - for their reliability/dependability, diversity as to media types & placement thereof, ease of cleaning - & more. I've had several canisters develop leaks, or fail entirely, be difficult to clean, difficult to prime & start up, and most of all, they lull you to sleep, and tend to make you lazy by getting you feeling you don't need to clean them up as often as you should. I've had a number of planted discus tanks for years, and I swear by the AC HOB's - wouldn't use anything else, that's for sure. For your 20 gal, go with an AC 50 - you won't regret it.

06-30-2012, 02:47 AM	#4
952saint Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 25	Will I notice a big difference between the 2213 and the 2215?

06-30-2012, 03:04 AM	#6
952saint Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 25	I'm leaning towards the AC 50, I've been looking online for different prices and noticed that on Marine Depot it was $37.59 and on Dr Foster & Smith it was $24.69. Are these the same model? Or am I missing something? Marine Depot: http://www.marinedepot.com/Aqua_Clea...G10610-vi.html Dr Foster & Smith: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...10&pcatid=3610

06-30-2012, 03:18 AM	#7
discuspaul Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 1,589	Nope, you're not missing anything. Fosters & Smith's price for the AC 50 @$24.69 is the best you can get. Go for it.

06-30-2012, 03:20 AM	#8
952saint Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 25	That seems like a steal with the free year of media replacements as well

06-30-2012, 10:30 PM	#11
Diana Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Contra Costa CA Posts: 5,015	I have a lot of filters, HOB and canisters, and I thing the HOBs are quicker and easier to clean, but only the largest HOB have the capacity of a canister, so the HOB filters need cleaning more often. If you are looking at HOB filters, the Aquaclear has the best arrangement of filter media. The dense layer traps the dirt better than any cartridge. Free replacement media for a year? I have not replaced most of the media, ever. Sponge: I have one Aquaclear sponge that is finally falling apart... after about 10 years, and I got it used. Carbon: I keep the carbon that comes with new filters and save it for emergency. I probably have not used more than a gallon of carbon in the 15 years I have had aquariums, and I have always had several tanks (never less than 3, and for a while 25 running). I do not use carbon regularly, since I found out it does not do anything for my tanks. Bio-media: Does this need to be replaced? If so, why? I just rinse it and keep on using it. I do add quilt batting and that blue and white bonded material to the filter, and these do not last long. Perhaps half a dozen cleanings for the quilt batting, about a year for the blue and white material then it mats up and I throw it away.

07-01-2012, 01:20 AM	#13
DishyFishy Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SC Posts: 471	I just got an Eheim Ecco 2232 for $50 on sale at PetSmart. It's super easy to prime, and seems like it will be easy to clean. If you have a PetSmart in your area you may get lucky, they are usually $100.

07-01-2012, 02:38 AM	#14
952saint Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 25	There is a PetSmart near my house, I might have to swing in tomorrow and see if they have any slick deals on a 2232.