[jeremyTR]

my setup is very basic but there has to be something i can do to get crystal clear water, right? i just have a marineland HOB bio wheel filter.

 

[mordalphus]

Purigen, or adding a tiny pinch of montmorillonite clay at every water change

 

[cassidy1190]

Definitely Seachem's Purigen. It makes my water crystal clear and keeps nitrates from getting too out of control.

 

[eklikewhoa]

switch out that HOB for a good canister.

 

[chiefroastbeef]

switch out that HOB for a good canister.

I agree, switch to a canister filter, fill the canister with 1/4 fine filter pads, bio media for the rest. Your water will be crystal clear.

 

[jeremyTR]

Would any canister from petco/smart be sufficient?

 

[eklikewhoa]

I prefer eheim classics, wouldn't really rely solely on any other canister.

 

[shinycard255]

Canister filters is the way to go for clear water.

I have a Fluval 406 and it gets the job done. You could even save some cash and get a AquaTop filter (http://www.amazon.com/Aquatop-CF300...244G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335441992&sr=8-1) which I've heard nothing but great things about

 

[sunyang730]

I use zoomed 501 for all my tank. Small and very nice! Other canister are great but the size of the zoomed 501 just so great!

 

[shinycard255]

The Zoo Med 501 is an amazing filter. I have one on my 5G and I'm not complaining one bit about making that purchase.

It all depends what size tank you have as to which canister filter would work for your set up

 

[Kyrol]

Before I got my fx5 I've used Marineland hob's and never had a problem getting crystal clear water. If it's a brand new setup give it a month to do everything chemically it needs to get done and it should be clear in no time.

 

[NWA-Planted]

Before I got my fx5 I've used Marineland hob's and never had a problem getting crystal clear water. If it's a brand new setup give it a month to do everything chemically it needs to get done and it should be clear in no time.

tank age does have a lot to do with this

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[ryc120]

I recently switched from an HOB to an eheim 2217. Wow.... what a difference in water clarity. You'll get much better flow throughout your tank as well.

 

[chiefroastbeef]

And the quietness of the canister filters cannot be beat, total silent setup. Canister filters are the best investment for a fish tank, besides fishies of course.

 

[farmhand]

tank age does have a lot to do with this

1. Tank age is correct
2. Canisters as a generalization have less blow-by of debris. However not all canisters and HOB's are created equal. I have found Aqua Clear's to work as well as a lot of canisters.

Purigen, or adding a tiny pinch of montmorillonite clay at every water change

3. Purigen is Great Stuff! Would like to know more about montorillonite clay???

 

[CrazyMFFM]

I use a sump filter with chemi-pure and it works well

 

[HD Blazingwolf]

any filter with a well established bio filter will give u the water u desire
polishig pads, chemical filtration do nothing if u keep up on ur water changes
they only remove particles that u mostly don't see
chemical filtration as far as water polising goes. is only good if u have discoloration due to tannins, overfeeding, or medications
again. water changes will do the most for having clear water with good bio filtration
i have a 1/8 inch thick loose LOOSE woven mechanical pad followed by all bio filraition. water stays pristinely clear

 

[flight50]

And the quietness of the canister filters cannot be beat, total silent setup. Canister filters are the best investment for a fish tank, besides fishies of course.

My best investment are my plants actually. I am going for a competition caliber setup with my current build. My fish will be secondary this go around. I was able to catch a canister sale at bigals. So I too have switched over from HOB to canister filtration. My 2213's are silent and that is awesome compared to my old Aqalear 300s. I can't exactly say its crystal clear though. But my tank is open top and glass at that. Opinions will vary as you see. You will just have to find what works for you.