You've done a pretty good job of asking the important questions. It's all working pretty well, so why change? As you've noted, canisters are easier to hide so they look better. But there are some other things we might mention. I find canisters will do quite a good job without cleaning them nearly as frequently as HOB. AC20's are good filters but they have reasonably small surface area where the water flows through compared to many canisters. That leaves that smaller area to get covered/filled with debris much sooner than a canister but the bigger downfall is what happens when it does stop up. The water keeps flowing but it is bypassing the filter and going through the overflow on each side. Looks like you are filtering when you are not. On a well designed canister, all water has to find it's way through the media or not at all. You can let a canister go and you can gradually see the flow reduce, letting you see how far behind you might be.
I also found I had to replace impellers and shaft way too often as the HOB water goes by them before the media rather than the filtered water after the media. A single bit or two of sand can cost a new shaft or impeller.
So is it worth it? Depends on personal outlook but I hope I've given you some ideas.
I also found I had to replace impellers and shaft way too often as the HOB water goes by them before the media rather than the filtered water after the media. A single bit or two of sand can cost a new shaft or impeller.
So is it worth it? Depends on personal outlook but I hope I've given you some ideas.
