First canister filter for 29 gallon, on a budget

Sarus · 07-02-2012, 11:25 AM

Just had to chime in although I'm a bit overbudget from your $80:

If you can swing it the Rena XP2 is a great canister filter. I just got one 2 weeks ago based on forum user recommendations (my first canister filter) and I'm very happy with it. At this point I would definitely purchase another one if in the future I setup another tank. I have it on a Do!Aqua 60P (~17 gallons) and it is much too strong so I had to turn the spray bar to face the glass (my cardinals were all hanging out in the corners because it is so turbulent in the middle of the tank). I think it would work really well on a 29 gallon. It comes with a valve to adjust the output flow but I liked having it moving water through at full speed. It comes with everything you need to get started including media (although you should throw more biological in than what they give you as they are bit stingy with that).

It's pretty darn quiet (I have it sitting outside of a cabinet and it's audible if you're standing over it but it's a soft hum). If you had it inside of a cabinet you probably wouldn't hear a thing (other forum members can probably attest to that). I can't hear it when I'm sitting elsewhere in the room only when I'm near the tank and that's only when there is no ambient noise in my apartment which is not often.

Setup was super easy and they have a nice instructional video so you don't even have to read anything (this was my first canister so I know anyone can get this thing working). I can't promise it'll last forever since I've only had it for 2 weeks but I think other users here can vouch for it's longevity. Also, try not to read too many reviews online because EVERY brand of canister filter from Eheim to SunSun will have people posting horror stories of it breaking or leaking leading you to never buying a canister filter. A sort of buyer's paralysis if you will haha (it happened to me). I just put mine inside a large rubber container so if it does leak I have some time to catch it before it goes on the floor.

The Rena XP2 is on Amazon right now with free shipping for A little over $100 ($102.18 to be exact)

**demonr6** · 07-02-2012, 12:43 PM

Bought my Sun Sun's on eBay for $50 and could not be more happy. Sure the warranty is pretty much nil if it dies in six months but there are plenty of people out there with them that have not had a bad experience with them that I am willing to run the risk. If one goes bad I have a second in line and fifty bucks won't kill me, I will buy another and have spare parts for sale not to mention the fifty bucks is about half of the other competitors cost. I won't do Tru Aqua products again..

BS87 · 07-02-2012, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by demonr6

Bought my Sun Sun's on eBay for $50 and could not be more happy. Sure the warranty is pretty much nil if it dies in six months but there are plenty of people out there with them that have not had a bad experience with them that I am willing to run the risk. If one goes bad I have a second in line and fifty bucks won't kill me, I will buy another and have spare parts for sale not to mention the fifty bucks is about half of the other competitors cost. I won't do Tru Aqua products again..

TruAqua sells the same SunSun filter, branded under the name Aquatop. The whole point of the company is to provide low-cost alternatives that are available over seas and not here.

Secretninja · 07-02-2012, 07:23 PM

Putting a ball valve on your line out is a sure way to lower the life of the filter. Also I would be amazed if the warranty from a "vendor" is any different from the eBay sellers.

AndrewGreen · 07-02-2012, 07:27 PM

Fosterandsmith has a Marineland canister filter with 220gph for $80. Should i get that? Or get a Eheim Ecco from petsmart...

AndrewGreen · 07-02-2012, 07:29 PM

The eheim ecco 2234 is $75 and does 145 gph.

**chad320** · 07-02-2012, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewGreen

Fosterandsmith has a Marineland canister filter with 220gph for $80. Should i get that? Or get a Eheim Ecco from petsmart...

I run the Marineland magnum HOB canisters and diffuse Co2 through them. They have worked great for years and are pretty cheap at $50-$60. Check my journal for some results.

Aquaticfan · 07-02-2012, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Secretninja

Putting a ball valve on your line out is a sure way to lower the life of the filter. Also I would be amazed if the warranty from a "vendor" is any different from the eBay sellers.

Sorry.... But your way off on the Ball valve. You wrong. If you think its true show some proof.

I can tell you exactly how it is NOT an issue and will NOT lower the life of the filter. Manufactures of all brands be it Ehiem or Aquatop, or ANY OF THEM have many models that come with ball valves and adjustments already with the filter to reduce and control flow.

As far as warranty from Ebay sellers..... Well it depends on the sellers. At least with the shops that are actually listed as true vendors they offer them. Ive bought tons from Ebay and some have had warranty some not.

Aquaticfan · 07-02-2012, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chad320

I run the Marineland magnum HOB canisters and diffuse Co2 through them. They have worked great for years and are pretty cheap at $50-$60. Check my journal for some results.

While a great filter not exactly the same as a true canister filter that has several levels of filtration. This is why Marineland now has their own line of standard canister filters..... And guess what The ones Marineland has are made by the SunSun/Aquatop company.

Secretninja · 07-02-2012, 09:13 PM

Proof of the same manufacturer available anywhere?

ROZDAB · 07-02-2012, 09:30 PM

I bought a Eheim 2217 for my 29g planted tank and the flow seems perfect for me and I bought it used off of cl for 60 bucks.

I waited awhile to find one that was less than a year used and all the media plus a great price to go with it as hob drive me nuts too.

I understand if u want brand new tho for peace of mind

AndrewGreen · 07-02-2012, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquaticfan

While a great filter not exactly the same as a true canister filter that has several levels of filtration. This is why Marineland now has their own line of standard canister filters..... And guess what The ones Marineland has are made by the SunSun/Aquatop company.

I know they are the same filter but for the same price as a Aquatop i can get a Marineland which is better because it is sold in every pet store and i have a better chance of returning it if anything happens.

AndrewGreen · 07-02-2012, 09:59 PM

What about the XP1 ?

Aquaticfan · 07-02-2012, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Secretninja

Proof of the same manufacturer available anywhere?

In reference to the ball valve? Or what's your question directed to?

Secretninja · 07-02-2012, 10:10 PM

Great deal on the eheim. Wish I could find one at that price.

On the valve issue I'll just cede the point since I'm not wanting to argue fluid dynamics or why adding more connections to a system that keeps your floor dry is a bad idea imo.

If the sun sun cans are actually made by mainland then that is good news for potential buyers (& rebuyers)

07-02-2012, 12:43 PM	#17
demonr6 i ♥ dubstep (View User Tanks) PTrader: (21/100%) Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: florida Posts: 1,235	Bought my Sun Sun's on eBay for $50 and could not be more happy. Sure the warranty is pretty much nil if it dies in six months but there are plenty of people out there with them that have not had a bad experience with them that I am willing to run the risk. If one goes bad I have a second in line and fifty bucks won't kill me, I will buy another and have spare parts for sale not to mention the fifty bucks is about half of the other competitors cost. I won't do Tru Aqua products again.. __________________ The Fraternity of Dirt #5 I'm dirty ~~My Finnex 4 Tank Journal~~-RETIRED 20L Rimless Journal-started 12-20 55L Journal-NEW 06-12 .sdrawkcab dootsrednu tub sdrawrof devil si efiL

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

07-02-2012, 11:25 AM	#16
Sarus Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Japan Posts: 12	Just had to chime in although I'm a bit overbudget from your $80: If you can swing it the Rena XP2 is a great canister filter. I just got one 2 weeks ago based on forum user recommendations (my first canister filter) and I'm very happy with it. At this point I would definitely purchase another one if in the future I setup another tank. I have it on a Do!Aqua 60P (~17 gallons) and it is much too strong so I had to turn the spray bar to face the glass (my cardinals were all hanging out in the corners because it is so turbulent in the middle of the tank). I think it would work really well on a 29 gallon. It comes with a valve to adjust the output flow but I liked having it moving water through at full speed. It comes with everything you need to get started including media (although you should throw more biological in than what they give you as they are bit stingy with that). It's pretty darn quiet (I have it sitting outside of a cabinet and it's audible if you're standing over it but it's a soft hum). If you had it inside of a cabinet you probably wouldn't hear a thing (other forum members can probably attest to that). I can't hear it when I'm sitting elsewhere in the room only when I'm near the tank and that's only when there is no ambient noise in my apartment which is not often. Setup was super easy and they have a nice instructional video so you don't even have to read anything (this was my first canister so I know anyone can get this thing working). I can't promise it'll last forever since I've only had it for 2 weeks but I think other users here can vouch for it's longevity. Also, try not to read too many reviews online because EVERY brand of canister filter from Eheim to SunSun will have people posting horror stories of it breaking or leaking leading you to never buying a canister filter. A sort of buyer's paralysis if you will haha (it happened to me). I just put mine inside a large rubber container so if it does leak I have some time to catch it before it goes on the floor. The Rena XP2 is on Amazon right now with free shipping for A little over $100 ($102.18 to be exact)

07-02-2012, 07:23 PM	#19
Secretninja Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: St Louis Posts: 71	Putting a ball valve on your line out is a sure way to lower the life of the filter. Also I would be amazed if the warranty from a "vendor" is any different from the eBay sellers.

07-02-2012, 07:27 PM	#20
AndrewGreen Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: California Posts: 74	Fosterandsmith has a Marineland canister filter with 220gph for $80. Should i get that? Or get a Eheim Ecco from petsmart...

07-02-2012, 07:29 PM	#21
AndrewGreen Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: California Posts: 74	The eheim ecco 2234 is $75 and does 145 gph.

07-02-2012, 09:13 PM	#25
Secretninja Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: St Louis Posts: 71	Proof of the same manufacturer available anywhere?

07-02-2012, 09:30 PM	#26
ROZDAB Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (17/100%) Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Naperville, IL. Posts: 210	I bought a Eheim 2217 for my 29g planted tank and the flow seems perfect for me and I bought it used off of cl for 60 bucks. I waited awhile to find one that was less than a year used and all the media plus a great price to go with it as hob drive me nuts too. I understand if u want brand new tho for peace of mind

07-02-2012, 09:59 PM	#28
AndrewGreen Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: California Posts: 74	What about the XP1 ?

07-02-2012, 10:10 PM	#30
Secretninja Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: St Louis Posts: 71	Great deal on the eheim. Wish I could find one at that price. On the valve issue I'll just cede the point since I'm not wanting to argue fluid dynamics or why adding more connections to a system that keeps your floor dry is a bad idea imo. If the sun sun cans are actually made by mainland then that is good news for potential buyers (& rebuyers)