Canister Filters for a Serious Newbie

SueFru · 09-11-2004, 01:09 PM

Hi All,
First I've learned so much from this forum and I want to thank you all.
I've a 45 gallon tank with high lighting and automated pressurized CO2 system. The plants are doing great and all is pretty much great. Even my algae problems are pretty much gone. Yeah!
I am thinking of switching to a canister filter (Rena Filstar XP2) instead of the bio wheel I have. I have 5 angelfish and one pelco in there I'd like the improved filtration.
So--here's what I don't get about the canister filters..do I need a air stone...or is there enough oxygen already with the canister areation/biofiltration?
Sue in CT

fishyboy · 09-11-2004, 01:13 PM

in planted tanks you don't even want airation.... it takes out your CO2

Bonsai · 09-11-2004, 01:34 PM

I don't know you a lead on a cheap XP2 but for an extra $15 you can get the Eheim 2224 on clearance @ www.drsfostersmith.com which is a much better canister. I know that Big Al's will match any price (plus xtra 5%) so try them ... some companies won't match "not in-stock" items ... which is the case w/ the eheim @ Fosters/Smith.

fishyboy · 09-11-2004, 03:27 PM

filstars are great filters, no one barely ever has troubles with them.... the little eheim club really over plays eheims... my lfs has them, hates them,

Rolo · 09-11-2004, 03:55 PM

Getting back to the topic...

Surface agitation is something that we don't want for planted tanks. But absolutely no agitation is bad too. Usually you can position the spray bar so to lightly move the surface.

Momotaro · 09-11-2004, 06:17 PM

No need for aeration with a canister!

Quote:

the little eheim club really over plays eheims... my lfs has them, hates them,

The Ehiem users are just more enthusiastic! We love our equimpent, and we know it is the best! I wonder why your LFS hates them? I am sure they make plenty of money when they sell one.

If I were to buy a Filstar, I would select the XP3 above the XP2. There is more room for media in the XP3, something the Rena users have failed to let you in on SueFru! Go bigger! Go XP3!

Mike

fishyboy · 09-11-2004, 06:41 PM

the people of ehiem are a royal pain to deal with when somethign goes wrong. they have no support in usa really... they are rena lovers..

Rex Grigg · 09-12-2004, 01:30 AM

For a 45 gallon tank I too would recommend the XP3 over the XP2, but right now you really can't go wrong with the Eheim 2224 that's on sale. I even bought one and I'm the original Filstar pimp.

Overfloater · 09-12-2004, 03:32 AM

Avoid the Fluval 04 series. I have a 204 and while it works great, it does have its share of problems. Most notably a small persistent leak.

AlgaeHater · 09-12-2004, 08:17 AM

The Eheim ecco is another choice that would be worth the extra money over am xp. Mine works great, not one problem and super quiet. Even though its the cheapest model from eheim I think its great. Its really easy to use and setup. I have heard that the xp's leak and a shop that I go to will not order more after they sell the ones they have left. I go german made. They always make quality toys.

bigpow · 09-12-2004, 08:38 AM

Quote:

german made. They always make quality toys

LOL I think you're a bit biased.

I worked with a handful of them (quality engineers) - they're just like you and me.
They screwed up big time and the whole group got laid off!

I'm a bit biased too, since I ended up with all the mess

Davo · 09-12-2004, 09:31 AM

Gday from Australia,

An oldie but a goodie - You get what you pay for!

Eheim are the best.

Dave,
Sydney,
Down Under.

fishyboy · 09-12-2004, 12:50 PM

hey algae hater you do know that ecco's are thought to be pretty crappy
Any filter will leak if you crack your O-rings

AlgaeHater · 09-14-2004, 07:58 AM

Ive never heard anyone knock the ecco. Of course a cracked o-ring would make one leak, but if your careful why would one crack. what makes them crappy? I like how easy the ecco is to use and I have not had any problems with it, although I have not had it long. Im sure the rena is good, but I have heard that they leak. This how I made my decision. I to believe in you get what you pay for. sorry for sounding biased.

SueFru · 09-14-2004, 12:41 PM

Thanks all! I made a typo on the 45 gallons. I've a 55 gallon. Still, I'm sure you'll all say to go with the large is better canister. My confusion is no more and I'll let you know what I decide: to become a EHEIM pimp member or to join the other team. <LOL> I get a big kick of the fact that the same debate goes on with all the planted tank forums I surfed into.
Thanks again,
Sue in CT

09-11-2004, 01:09 PM	#1
SueFru Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 9	Canister Filters for a Serious Newbie Hi All, First I've learned so much from this forum and I want to thank you all. I've a 45 gallon tank with high lighting and automated pressurized CO2 system. The plants are doing great and all is pretty much great. Even my algae problems are pretty much gone. Yeah! I am thinking of switching to a canister filter (Rena Filstar XP2) instead of the bio wheel I have. I have 5 angelfish and one pelco in there I'd like the improved filtration. So--here's what I don't get about the canister filters..do I need a air stone...or is there enough oxygen already with the canister areation/biofiltration? Sue in CT

09-11-2004, 03:55 PM	#5
Rolo Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota Posts: 1,716	Getting back to the topic... Surface agitation is something that we don't want for planted tanks. But absolutely no agitation is bad too. Usually you can position the spray bar so to lightly move the surface. __________________

09-12-2004, 03:32 AM	#9
Overfloater Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (66/100%) Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 1,748	Avoid the Fluval 04 series. I have a 204 and while it works great, it does have its share of problems. Most notably a small persistent leak. __________________ Regards, Robert 48G Rimless Mr Aqua http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/ta...g-rimless.html 37G Oceanic "Cube" http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...ad.php?t=37999 75G Cichlid Setup http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...ad.php?t=32197 75G Planted http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...ad.php?t=15921

09-12-2004, 09:31 AM	#12
Davo Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 23	Eheim = Quality Gday from Australia, An oldie but a goodie - You get what you pay for! Eheim are the best. Dave, Sydney, Down Under.

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09-11-2004, 01:13 PM	#2
fishyboy Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: central IL Posts: 793	in planted tanks you don't even want airation.... it takes out your CO2

09-11-2004, 01:34 PM	#3
Bonsai Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan Posts: 221	I don't know you a lead on a cheap XP2 but for an extra $15 you can get the Eheim 2224 on clearance @ www.drsfostersmith.com which is a much better canister. I know that Big Al's will match any price (plus xtra 5%) so try them ... some companies won't match "not in-stock" items ... which is the case w/ the eheim @ Fosters/Smith.

09-11-2004, 03:27 PM	#4
fishyboy Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: central IL Posts: 793	filstars are great filters, no one barely ever has troubles with them.... the little eheim club really over plays eheims... my lfs has them, hates them,

09-11-2004, 06:41 PM	#7
fishyboy Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: central IL Posts: 793	the people of ehiem are a royal pain to deal with when somethign goes wrong. they have no support in usa really... they are rena lovers..

09-12-2004, 01:30 AM	#8
Rex Grigg Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (65/100%) Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland Orygun Posts: 9,600	For a 45 gallon tank I too would recommend the XP3 over the XP2, but right now you really can't go wrong with the Eheim 2224 that's on sale. I even bought one and I'm the original Filstar pimp.

09-12-2004, 08:17 AM	#10
AlgaeHater Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: San Anselmo,CA. Posts: 88	The Eheim ecco is another choice that would be worth the extra money over am xp. Mine works great, not one problem and super quiet. Even though its the cheapest model from eheim I think its great. Its really easy to use and setup. I have heard that the xp's leak and a shop that I go to will not order more after they sell the ones they have left. I go german made. They always make quality toys.

09-12-2004, 12:50 PM	#13
fishyboy Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: central IL Posts: 793	hey algae hater you do know that ecco's are thought to be pretty crappy Any filter will leak if you crack your O-rings

09-14-2004, 07:58 AM	#14
AlgaeHater Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: San Anselmo,CA. Posts: 88	Ive never heard anyone knock the ecco. Of course a cracked o-ring would make one leak, but if your careful why would one crack. what makes them crappy? I like how easy the ecco is to use and I have not had any problems with it, although I have not had it long. Im sure the rena is good, but I have heard that they leak. This how I made my decision. I to believe in you get what you pay for. sorry for sounding biased.

09-14-2004, 12:41 PM	#15
SueFru Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 9	Thanks all! I made a typo on the 45 gallons. I've a 55 gallon. Still, I'm sure you'll all say to go with the large is better canister. My confusion is no more and I'll let you know what I decide: to become a EHEIM pimp member or to join the other team. <LOL> I get a big kick of the fact that the same debate goes on with all the planted tank forums I surfed into. Thanks again, Sue in CT

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