HOB Filter or Canister Filter

gozetec2002 · 05/03/2006, 03:15 PM

I am setting up a 20 gallon long with Soft Corals and inverts.

I currently have an aquaclear powerfilter and am wondering if it would be better to use a canister filter and if it would keep the water cleaner because of the higher capacity?

Thanks,
Damien

IslandCrow · 05/03/2006, 04:04 PM

I'm thinking a canister filter is going to give you more options and more than likely provide for much cleaner water. I've been very happy with mine. I run carbon in it most of the time and use a micron filter for about a week every month for a little water polishing. And if phosphates ever became an issue, I could use it to run something like Phosban. My water was noticably clearer (I thought it was pretty clear before) after adding the canister filter and I finally got my nitrates down to an undetectable level (I guess the latter could have been coincidence). Of course, I also run a protein skimmer, so it's a combined effort between the two.

Agu · 05/03/2006, 04:09 PM

If you already have the Aquaclear and it's one of the bigger ones it'll work just fine on a 20 gallon.

Check the nano forum to see how people mod them.

gozetec2002 · 05/03/2006, 08:15 PM

Its one specificly designed for the 20 gallon but I am dissapointed in the design of the intake tube's lack of adjustment i was thinking that it will make the tank look a bit cleaner if the filter was out of sight or under the stand. And I plan on having an easy anemone with a 150watt MH pendant so that will take care of the soft coral i want with plenty of light so they will thrive.

xrobbx03 · 05/04/2006, 11:44 AM

i have an aquaclear on my 38 gallon and works really well in combination with my skimmer. I pretty much only use it for additives that i would need. Other than that the media basket is usually kept empty.

05/03/2006, 03:15 PM	#1
gozetec2002 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6	HOB Filter or Canister Filter I am setting up a 20 gallon long with Soft Corals and inverts. I currently have an aquaclear powerfilter and am wondering if it would be better to use a canister filter and if it would keep the water cleaner because of the higher capacity? Thanks, Damien

05/03/2006, 04:04 PM	#2
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	I'm thinking a canister filter is going to give you more options and more than likely provide for much cleaner water. I've been very happy with mine. I run carbon in it most of the time and use a micron filter for about a week every month for a little water polishing. And if phosphates ever became an issue, I could use it to run something like Phosban. My water was noticably clearer (I thought it was pretty clear before) after adding the canister filter and I finally got my nitrates down to an undetectable level (I guess the latter could have been coincidence). Of course, I also run a protein skimmer, so it's a combined effort between the two. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

05/03/2006, 04:09 PM	#3
Agu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 30,279	If you already have the Aquaclear and it's one of the bigger ones it'll work just fine on a 20 gallon. Check the nano forum to see how people mod them. __________________ Less technology , more biology . Current Tank Info: 30 gallon half cube and 5.5, both reef tanks

05/04/2006, 11:44 AM	#5
xrobbx03 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Plaistow, NH Posts: 116	i have an aquaclear on my 38 gallon and works really well in combination with my skimmer. I pretty much only use it for additives that i would need. Other than that the media basket is usually kept empty. __________________ Robby B 65 Gallon Reef Current Tank Info: 120g Mix LPS and Softy Reef

05/03/2006, 08:15 PM	#4
gozetec2002 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6	Its one specificly designed for the 20 gallon but I am dissapointed in the design of the intake tube's lack of adjustment i was thinking that it will make the tank look a bit cleaner if the filter was out of sight or under the stand. And I plan on having an easy anemone with a 150watt MH pendant so that will take care of the soft coral i want with plenty of light so they will thrive.