canister filter suggestions please?

virginiadiver69 · 02/09/2007, 09:57 AM

I want to add a canister filter to my new system. It will mostly be used for carbon and the occasional polishing filter. Total system volume is 200 gals.
Could I get some suggestions please? I am not looking for something that is sleek and sexy. Just a good solid filter for a reasonable price. I have looked at the Fluval filters but do not know how they stack up. Is self priming a common feature? Will I need to supply my own pump/power head or are these incorporated into the design?

rustybucket145 · 02/09/2007, 10:00 AM

You might want to consider a DIY one. You can actually set this one up on a siphon, gravity feed or on a pump

http://randystacye.com/diy_canister_filter.htm

SaltyNovice · 02/09/2007, 10:16 AM

Have you looked at the Rena/Stars? I think that is it. I have looked at the Rena - 1 & 2 thinking about adding that to my system - like you said to run carbon and polish the water. I seem to have a whole lot of large particulate floating in my water all the time. But I haven't made up my mind yet.

virginiadiver69 · 02/09/2007, 11:17 AM

bump

BurntOutReefer · 02/09/2007, 11:20 AM

I wouldnt gravity fed........wont come back on after power failure and the feed pump will run dry......I personally love the Hagen Fluval's...(the new 405 is awesome)....

taillonjohn · 02/09/2007, 11:24 AM

The Rena is a good choice (for me at least).... I use it for filter and carbon, acts as a great powerhead in the tank too

virginiadiver69 · 02/09/2007, 11:26 AM

Do they come with their own pump/powerhead?

BurntOutReefer · 02/09/2007, 11:28 AM

yes....they are alll self-powered....
look at ThatFishPlace.com and/or Drs. Fosters & Smith.com for info and GREAT prices......
Just IMO.....

virginiadiver69 · 02/09/2007, 12:02 PM

Thanks BurntOutReefer

oceandrops · 02/09/2007, 01:05 PM

If you don't mind used one I have Eheim PROII 2026 with everything for sale. Original box, manual etc etc. Like new, I only used it when I was cycling my reef tank,

virginiadiver69 · 02/09/2007, 01:28 PM

pm sent

ahullsb · 02/09/2007, 01:44 PM

I also like the Rena's. I am using one for my 50 gallon qt tank and it works great. DO NOT buy the fluvals. That was my first choice and it was a piece of crap. Total disaster and it didn't work. You need to prime them, the seal is not adequate and mine leaked from day one...I returned it and have been very happy with Rena.

BurntOutReefer · 02/09/2007, 02:09 PM

ahull....the old ones where weak....the new ones are great....self priming, lock-syphon, etc etc .....but, to each his own....

jefathome · 02/09/2007, 02:55 PM

I had a Fluval 404 on my tank for about 10 months and it worked GREAT. I never had to prime it (besides the initial setup). It never leaked, and ran smooth as heck. I had to take it off when I instaleld a sump, so I'll probably just sell it.

I mainly used it for carbon, Phos-Ban, and some nitrate remover.
The supplied sponges would also remove a ton of junk.

virginiadiver69 · 02/09/2007, 03:33 PM

Someone suggested just using a phosban reactor. What are some opinions on this idea?

paradicio · 02/09/2007, 03:59 PM

Not sure about the Phosban reactor, but I use a Rena XP3 on my 100g Planted FW tank. FW Planted tanks can get quite messy, but my Rena does a bang-up job of keeping the water clear. I'm planning on getting an XP3 or XP4 for my 120 as well.

As a side note, I noticed when I switched my FW tank to ChemiPure from just activated carbon, the water clarity was much better...

BurntOutReefer · 02/09/2007, 04:36 PM

jef....PM sent

ahullsb · 02/09/2007, 05:14 PM

I bought the fluval 205 in December. They were claiming that the old ones were good and that they weren't as impressed with the new ones. Mine was defective I'm sure but it still made me a little nervous. I'm sure it's still a good company. I really feel the difference is night and day between the two at comparable prices!

Danger731 · 02/09/2007, 07:37 PM

Fluval, I have a 205, 305 and 405,
and a Magnum 350 (in the garage)

fish 511 · 02/09/2007, 09:02 PM

I have an Eheim Ecco and I Really like it. It is so quiet that it is in my bedroom and you cant hear it when the whole room is silent... I think I may turn it into a mini refugium HTH

jnguyen4007 · 02/09/2007, 09:29 PM

I have an Eheim 2028 for Christmas and I just finally got around to setting it up on my discus tank. I'm amaze at how quiet the unit is. If it was not for the ripples on the water surface, I wouldn't have known if the unit was running or not. It has a built in primer and when I need to take the unit apart for cleaning, I don't have to worry about water spilling out of the hoses. It's great.

James

02/09/2007, 09:57 AM	#1
virginiadiver69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Va. Posts: 4,400	canister filter suggestions please? I want to add a canister filter to my new system. It will mostly be used for carbon and the occasional polishing filter. Total system volume is 200 gals. Could I get some suggestions please? I am not looking for something that is sleek and sexy. Just a good solid filter for a reasonable price. I have looked at the Fluval filters but do not know how they stack up. Is self priming a common feature? Will I need to supply my own pump/power head or are these incorporated into the design? __________________ Semi-aggressive mixed reef w/ shallow sand bed 96x30x27 310gal custom acrylic w/ ext. "fail safe" overflow 125gal sump/cryptic fuge w/ 6" DSB 3 400w Plus Rite 20k MH in Lumembrights 2 250w Plus Rite 20k MH in spider reflectors VHO actinic supplementation 2 Tunze wave boxes 2 Tunze 6060 in Tunze Rocks 2 Tunze 6125 Reeflo 250 skimmer Hammerhead return on OM 4 way Aqua controller lll Leviton power panel Deltec Eco-Cooler Randy's Two part 6.5 kw generator

02/09/2007, 10:00 AM	#2
rustybucket145 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: valdosta, ga Posts: 3,707	You might want to consider a DIY one. You can actually set this one up on a siphon, gravity feed or on a pump http://randystacye.com/diy_canister_filter.htm __________________ 400gals of various tanks in the same system. Current Tank Info: 2 175w MH, 2 VH0 Actinics, Lots of Live Rock, tons of copepods, a Fat Mandarin Goby, Niger Trigger, Yellow Tang, Falco Hawkfish, Bi-Color Pseudo, numerous soft, SPS and LPS Corals

02/09/2007, 10:16 AM	#3
SaltyNovice Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Amarillo Posts: 292	Have you looked at the Rena/Stars? I think that is it. I have looked at the Rena - 1 & 2 thinking about adding that to my system - like you said to run carbon and polish the water. I seem to have a whole lot of large particulate floating in my water all the time. But I haven't made up my mind yet. __________________ SaltyNovice

02/09/2007, 11:17 AM	#4
virginiadiver69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Va. Posts: 4,400	bump __________________ Semi-aggressive mixed reef w/ shallow sand bed 96x30x27 310gal custom acrylic w/ ext. "fail safe" overflow 125gal sump/cryptic fuge w/ 6" DSB 3 400w Plus Rite 20k MH in Lumembrights 2 250w Plus Rite 20k MH in spider reflectors VHO actinic supplementation 2 Tunze wave boxes 2 Tunze 6060 in Tunze Rocks 2 Tunze 6125 Reeflo 250 skimmer Hammerhead return on OM 4 way Aqua controller lll Leviton power panel Deltec Eco-Cooler Randy's Two part 6.5 kw generator

02/09/2007, 11:24 AM	#6
taillonjohn Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 753	The Rena is a good choice (for me at least).... I use it for filter and carbon, acts as a great powerhead in the tank too __________________ John

02/09/2007, 11:20 AM	#5
BurntOutReefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Granada Hills Posts: 4,376	I wouldnt gravity fed........wont come back on after power failure and the feed pump will run dry......I personally love the Hagen Fluval's...(the new 405 is awesome)....

02/09/2007, 11:26 AM	#7
virginiadiver69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Va. Posts: 4,400	Do they come with their own pump/powerhead? __________________ Semi-aggressive mixed reef w/ shallow sand bed 96x30x27 310gal custom acrylic w/ ext. "fail safe" overflow 125gal sump/cryptic fuge w/ 6" DSB 3 400w Plus Rite 20k MH in Lumembrights 2 250w Plus Rite 20k MH in spider reflectors VHO actinic supplementation 2 Tunze wave boxes 2 Tunze 6060 in Tunze Rocks 2 Tunze 6125 Reeflo 250 skimmer Hammerhead return on OM 4 way Aqua controller lll Leviton power panel Deltec Eco-Cooler Randy's Two part 6.5 kw generator

02/09/2007, 11:28 AM	#8
BurntOutReefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Granada Hills Posts: 4,376	yes....they are alll self-powered.... look at ThatFishPlace.com and/or Drs. Fosters & Smith.com for info and GREAT prices...... Just IMO.....

02/09/2007, 12:02 PM	#9
virginiadiver69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Va. Posts: 4,400	Thanks BurntOutReefer __________________ Semi-aggressive mixed reef w/ shallow sand bed 96x30x27 310gal custom acrylic w/ ext. "fail safe" overflow 125gal sump/cryptic fuge w/ 6" DSB 3 400w Plus Rite 20k MH in Lumembrights 2 250w Plus Rite 20k MH in spider reflectors VHO actinic supplementation 2 Tunze wave boxes 2 Tunze 6060 in Tunze Rocks 2 Tunze 6125 Reeflo 250 skimmer Hammerhead return on OM 4 way Aqua controller lll Leviton power panel Deltec Eco-Cooler Randy's Two part 6.5 kw generator

02/09/2007, 01:05 PM	#10
oceandrops Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 139	If you don't mind used one I have Eheim PROII 2026 with everything for sale. Original box, manual etc etc. Like new, I only used it when I was cycling my reef tank,

02/09/2007, 01:28 PM	#11
virginiadiver69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Va. Posts: 4,400	pm sent __________________ Semi-aggressive mixed reef w/ shallow sand bed 96x30x27 310gal custom acrylic w/ ext. "fail safe" overflow 125gal sump/cryptic fuge w/ 6" DSB 3 400w Plus Rite 20k MH in Lumembrights 2 250w Plus Rite 20k MH in spider reflectors VHO actinic supplementation 2 Tunze wave boxes 2 Tunze 6060 in Tunze Rocks 2 Tunze 6125 Reeflo 250 skimmer Hammerhead return on OM 4 way Aqua controller lll Leviton power panel Deltec Eco-Cooler Randy's Two part 6.5 kw generator

02/09/2007, 01:44 PM	#12
ahullsb Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: sacramento, ca Posts: 2,729	I also like the Rena's. I am using one for my 50 gallon qt tank and it works great. DO NOT buy the fluvals. That was my first choice and it was a piece of crap. Total disaster and it didn't work. You need to prime them, the seal is not adequate and mine leaked from day one...I returned it and have been very happy with Rena. __________________ Andy Sacramento, CA Current Tank Info: 55 gallon reef w/20 gallon sump/ER135/ 75 pounds of live rock, 4 in sandbed, 2 b&w ocellaris clowns, yellow watchman/pistol, rosy scaled wrasse, Mystery wrasse, Copperbanded Butterfly, Lighting 48" outer orbit 2 150 mh/ 4 t5 actinics

02/09/2007, 02:09 PM	#13
BurntOutReefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Granada Hills Posts: 4,376	ahull....the old ones where weak....the new ones are great....self priming, lock-syphon, etc etc .....but, to each his own....

02/09/2007, 02:55 PM	#14
jefathome Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Mission Viejo, CA Posts: 2,915	I had a Fluval 404 on my tank for about 10 months and it worked GREAT. I never had to prime it (besides the initial setup). It never leaked, and ran smooth as heck. I had to take it off when I instaleld a sump, so I'll probably just sell it. I mainly used it for carbon, Phos-Ban, and some nitrate remover. The supplied sponges would also remove a ton of junk. __________________ Without Geometry, life is pointless Current Tank Info: NEW 150g in-wall Solartube display; 60g 4x2ft frag tank; 3g work Pico.... all Reef tanks

02/09/2007, 03:33 PM	#15
virginiadiver69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Va. Posts: 4,400	Someone suggested just using a phosban reactor. What are some opinions on this idea? __________________ Semi-aggressive mixed reef w/ shallow sand bed 96x30x27 310gal custom acrylic w/ ext. "fail safe" overflow 125gal sump/cryptic fuge w/ 6" DSB 3 400w Plus Rite 20k MH in Lumembrights 2 250w Plus Rite 20k MH in spider reflectors VHO actinic supplementation 2 Tunze wave boxes 2 Tunze 6060 in Tunze Rocks 2 Tunze 6125 Reeflo 250 skimmer Hammerhead return on OM 4 way Aqua controller lll Leviton power panel Deltec Eco-Cooler Randy's Two part 6.5 kw generator

02/09/2007, 03:59 PM	#16
paradicio Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Dimas CA Posts: 139	Not sure about the Phosban reactor, but I use a Rena XP3 on my 100g Planted FW tank. FW Planted tanks can get quite messy, but my Rena does a bang-up job of keeping the water clear. I'm planning on getting an XP3 or XP4 for my 120 as well. As a side note, I noticed when I switched my FW tank to ChemiPure from just activated carbon, the water clarity was much better...

02/09/2007, 04:36 PM	#17
BurntOutReefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Granada Hills Posts: 4,376	jef....PM sent

02/09/2007, 05:14 PM	#18
ahullsb Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: sacramento, ca Posts: 2,729	I bought the fluval 205 in December. They were claiming that the old ones were good and that they weren't as impressed with the new ones. Mine was defective I'm sure but it still made me a little nervous. I'm sure it's still a good company. I really feel the difference is night and day between the two at comparable prices! __________________ Andy Sacramento, CA Current Tank Info: 55 gallon reef w/20 gallon sump/ER135/ 75 pounds of live rock, 4 in sandbed, 2 b&w ocellaris clowns, yellow watchman/pistol, rosy scaled wrasse, Mystery wrasse, Copperbanded Butterfly, Lighting 48" outer orbit 2 150 mh/ 4 t5 actinics

02/09/2007, 07:37 PM	#19
Danger731 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Indiana Posts: 300	Fluval, I have a 205, 305 and 405, and a Magnum 350 (in the garage) __________________ Jebo 375 R , 20 gallon sump/fuge started march 04 from two 15 gallon nano's Now a 30 Gal FOWLR as well Dec 06

02/09/2007, 09:02 PM	#20
fish 511 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Huntington Beach, California Posts: 679	I have an Eheim Ecco and I Really like it. It is so quiet that it is in my bedroom and you cant hear it when the whole room is silent... I think I may turn it into a mini refugium HTH

02/09/2007, 09:29 PM	#21
jnguyen4007 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Manassas, VA Posts: 122	I have an Eheim 2028 for Christmas and I just finally got around to setting it up on my discus tank. I'm amaze at how quiet the unit is. If it was not for the ripples on the water surface, I wouldn't have known if the unit was running or not. It has a built in primer and when I need to take the unit apart for cleaning, I don't have to worry about water spilling out of the hoses. It's great. James __________________ James :wavehand: Current Tank Info: I currently have 4 tanks running. One 55 gal, one 46 gal bowfront, one 35 gal flat back hexagonal, one 35 gal acrylic hexagonal, and a 10 gal quarantine/hospital tank