fluval or rena filter?

reefer1187 · 02/22/2008, 06:25 PM

hey everyone i am currently setting up a 93 gallon tank and was wondering which canister filter do you think is better the rena or the fluvals?

i spoke with someone from marine depot and he said he likes the renas more

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...ct~AP7317.html

http://pet-king.stores.yahoo.net/a215pk.html

the renas i notice gives a higher gph

please give me your opinions and experienc with each thanks :-)

i have a limited amount to spend and want to spend it wisely

HammerDude33 · 02/22/2008, 06:28 PM

is this a reef? will you have live rock? i'd use that money for a protein skimmer instead of a cannister filter. that would be a wise decision.

dante7921 · 02/22/2008, 06:33 PM

I agree with Hammerdude33! Especially if you're going to have live rock and/or corals.

drparker · 02/22/2008, 06:41 PM

I agree with earlier posts. That being said I've used both back when I ran 7 tanks for cichlids. They are both good filters but for regular maintaince and cleaning I liked the Rena and its baskets better. I still run one fresh water tank and have a Rena under it and still have a Fluval in the garage.

reefer1187 · 02/22/2008, 07:08 PM

no live rock no reef i am trying to keep it simple and very easy to clean because i am always on the go

just a simple fish tank

HammerDude33 · 02/22/2008, 07:10 PM

i still suggest a good quality protein skimmer but if not-
i like the rena Xp3. it worked great on my oscar tank...and i think all of us know how dirty a tank full of oscars can get.

drparker · 02/22/2008, 07:19 PM

If your not going to have natural filters like Live rock or live sand then I would also add another filter like a Emperor Bio-wheel or an Aquaclear.

In my freshwater I use the Emperor bio-wheel for just the bacteria on the wheel and use the Rena for mechanical and carbon. If you run just one filter when you give it a good cleaning you can't help but nuke the bacteria so you'll have a mini-cycle when you replace it. By having two running you still have a bio filter running while the just cleaned one builds it bacteria colony back. If you decide to use the bio-wheel instead of an Aquaclear type never clean the wheel and your good to go.

HammerDude33 · 02/22/2008, 07:24 PM

do you think a bio wheel will hold enough bacteria to sustain a 92 gallon tank?
i think you better put the bio media in the cannister, and just not clean that basket imo.

reefer1187 · 02/22/2008, 07:28 PM

im thinking about a freshwater stingray tank, that is why i am only using a canister filter

i am a great fan of reefcentral because i love the advice i get from people here i refuse to change forums lol :-(

please dont make me :-(

drparker · 02/22/2008, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by HammerDude33
do you think a bio wheel will hold enough bacteria to sustain a 92 gallon tank?

Sure I ran the larger unit that has two wheels on my 125 with Rena for mechanical and carbon, I didn't want to waste a basket on less efficient bio-media I wanted more carbon in the canister. Because the wheels alternate in water and out they are like a true wet/dry, high in oxygen so they can sustain a large bacteria colony. they can handle a very high amount of ammonia to nitrite and then nitrate. Because they are very high in oxygen they don't do anything for removing nitrate and thus why they or other wet/dry filters like bio-balls are not good for a reef systems.

HammerDude33 · 02/22/2008, 07:57 PM

what is high in oxygen? bio balls? how so? they are plastic balls with holes in them.
wet dry filters have the water trickling through bio balls, and they are not fully submerged, same theory as bio wheels. these function the same.
meanwhile, bio balls are not good for reef systems because you already have the live rock- that holds the bacteria necessary for the cycle(ammonia,trite, trate). the bio balls are not only redundant, they are detrius traps which end up working against the live rock. it's nothing more than that.
you could use fully submerged biological media to hold de-nitrifying bacteria as well.

woogy · 02/22/2008, 08:22 PM

Is this the same tank u have listed under your current tanks or is this seperate from that one?

drparker · 02/22/2008, 08:36 PM

Hammerdude33

I mentioned wet/dry bio-balls not full submerged. You asked if I thought the bio-wheel could handle a 92 gallon tank. Yes they can handle very heavily stocked tanks. We both agree that live rock, live sand and skimmers are the best setup for reef systems.

In a large fish only system I recommend running two filters not just one and cleaning them on an alternating schedule. One should be a wet/dry bio filter instead of just fully submerged bio-media because it's more efficient.

reefer1187 · 02/22/2008, 09:37 PM

its the samething tank my salt tank no longer exist anymore :-(

so from my understanding it is smart to get one canister filter for just cleansing and another for holding bacteria?

kzickovich · 02/22/2008, 09:54 PM

I have a rena on my fo tank and it's nice, i've never had a problem with it in two years

BurntOutReefer · 02/22/2008, 09:58 PM

I run both on my reef......i have 2 renas and 2 fluval 405.....I'm dumping all of them for a Fluval FX5.
The Renas have been nothing but problems for me. Leaking air, etc etc etc......

Fluvals have been a none issue.

BurntOutReefer · 02/22/2008, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by HammerDude33
what is high in oxygen? bio balls? how so? they are plastic balls with holes in them.
wet dry filters have the water trickling through bio balls, and they are not fully submerged, same theory as bio wheels. these function the same.
meanwhile, bio balls are not good for reef systems because you already have the live rock- that holds the bacteria necessary for the cycle(ammonia,trite, trate). the bio balls are not only redundant, they are detrius traps which end up working against the live rock. it's nothing more than that.
you could use fully submerged biological media to hold de-nitrifying bacteria as well.

This entire statement is bull-hockey.
Please read up

reefer1187 · 02/22/2008, 10:09 PM

so beside the gph there is really no difference between these filters?

BurntOutReefer · 02/22/2008, 10:13 PM

none.....although the Fluvals IMO are quiter and the parts are cheaper......

reefer1187 · 02/22/2008, 10:20 PM

yea i want something extremely quiet, so the fluval is my best bet?

can someone also provide me with their noise factor on the rena?

BurntOutReefer · 02/22/2008, 10:22 PM

IMO....yes...but again...IMO...get the FX5.....you won't need another filter for at least another 5 years...difference is only apporx 150 between a FX5 and a 405

coryaquarium101 · 02/22/2008, 11:14 PM

For my freshwater tanks I have Eheim canister filters. I can't even here them when they are on. Simple to clean too.

reefer1187 · 02/22/2008, 11:59 PM

wouldnt that turn over be too much for my tank?

HammerDude33 · 02/23/2008, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BurntOutReefer
This entire statement is bull-hockey.
Please read up

so, then, share your vast knowledge with me.

reefer1187 · 02/23/2008, 08:56 AM

burnout i think hammerdude is correct on his statment about reefs and biowheels, too much detrius can cause a minicycle and no one wants that...but inform me more about the fx5, would that turnover be too much for my tank, and is it as easy to clean as a regular fluval, and also how quiet?

02/22/2008, 06:25 PM	#1
reefer1187 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: new york Posts: 253	fluval or rena filter? hey everyone i am currently setting up a 93 gallon tank and was wondering which canister filter do you think is better the rena or the fluvals? i spoke with someone from marine depot and he said he likes the renas more http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...ct~AP7317.html http://pet-king.stores.yahoo.net/a215pk.html the renas i notice gives a higher gph please give me your opinions and experienc with each thanks :-) i have a limited amount to spend and want to spend it wisely

02/22/2008, 09:54 PM	#15
kzickovich Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Zion Il Posts: 959	I have a rena on my fo tank and it's nice, i've never had a problem with it in two years __________________ Ken Current Tank Info: 90 Gal mixed reef 55 Gallon basement pump up Sump 25 Gal fuge 2 Mp40 DIY led light fixture Bubble King Mini 200 Gen2 skimmer BRS Duel reactor

02/22/2008, 06:28 PM	#2
HammerDude33 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Eastern, Pa - USA Posts: 258	is this a reef? will you have live rock? i'd use that money for a protein skimmer instead of a cannister filter. that would be a wise decision.

02/22/2008, 06:33 PM	#3
dante7921 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Harrisburg, Pa. Posts: 97	I agree with Hammerdude33! Especially if you're going to have live rock and/or corals.

02/22/2008, 06:41 PM	#4
drparker Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Palatine, IL Posts: 2,652	I agree with earlier posts. That being said I've used both back when I ran 7 tanks for cichlids. They are both good filters but for regular maintaince and cleaning I liked the Rena and its baskets better. I still run one fresh water tank and have a Rena under it and still have a Fluval in the garage.

02/22/2008, 07:08 PM	#5
reefer1187 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: new york Posts: 253	no live rock no reef i am trying to keep it simple and very easy to clean because i am always on the go just a simple fish tank

02/22/2008, 07:10 PM	#6
HammerDude33 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Eastern, Pa - USA Posts: 258	i still suggest a good quality protein skimmer but if not- i like the rena Xp3. it worked great on my oscar tank...and i think all of us know how dirty a tank full of oscars can get.

02/22/2008, 07:19 PM	#7
drparker Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Palatine, IL Posts: 2,652	If your not going to have natural filters like Live rock or live sand then I would also add another filter like a Emperor Bio-wheel or an Aquaclear. In my freshwater I use the Emperor bio-wheel for just the bacteria on the wheel and use the Rena for mechanical and carbon. If you run just one filter when you give it a good cleaning you can't help but nuke the bacteria so you'll have a mini-cycle when you replace it. By having two running you still have a bio filter running while the just cleaned one builds it bacteria colony back. If you decide to use the bio-wheel instead of an Aquaclear type never clean the wheel and your good to go.

02/22/2008, 07:24 PM	#8
HammerDude33 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Eastern, Pa - USA Posts: 258	do you think a bio wheel will hold enough bacteria to sustain a 92 gallon tank? i think you better put the bio media in the cannister, and just not clean that basket imo.

02/22/2008, 07:28 PM	#9
reefer1187 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: new york Posts: 253	im thinking about a freshwater stingray tank, that is why i am only using a canister filter i am a great fan of reefcentral because i love the advice i get from people here i refuse to change forums lol :-( please dont make me :-(

02/22/2008, 07:57 PM	#11
HammerDude33 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Eastern, Pa - USA Posts: 258	what is high in oxygen? bio balls? how so? they are plastic balls with holes in them. wet dry filters have the water trickling through bio balls, and they are not fully submerged, same theory as bio wheels. these function the same. meanwhile, bio balls are not good for reef systems because you already have the live rock- that holds the bacteria necessary for the cycle(ammonia,trite, trate). the bio balls are not only redundant, they are detrius traps which end up working against the live rock. it's nothing more than that. you could use fully submerged biological media to hold de-nitrifying bacteria as well.

02/22/2008, 08:22 PM	#12
woogy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Western PA Posts: 986	Is this the same tank u have listed under your current tanks or is this seperate from that one?

02/22/2008, 08:36 PM	#13
drparker Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Palatine, IL Posts: 2,652	Hammerdude33 I mentioned wet/dry bio-balls not full submerged. You asked if I thought the bio-wheel could handle a 92 gallon tank. Yes they can handle very heavily stocked tanks. We both agree that live rock, live sand and skimmers are the best setup for reef systems. In a large fish only system I recommend running two filters not just one and cleaning them on an alternating schedule. One should be a wet/dry bio filter instead of just fully submerged bio-media because it's more efficient.

02/22/2008, 09:37 PM	#14
reefer1187 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: new york Posts: 253	its the samething tank my salt tank no longer exist anymore :-( so from my understanding it is smart to get one canister filter for just cleansing and another for holding bacteria?

02/22/2008, 09:58 PM	#16
BurntOutReefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Granada Hills Posts: 4,376	I run both on my reef......i have 2 renas and 2 fluval 405.....I'm dumping all of them for a Fluval FX5. The Renas have been nothing but problems for me. Leaking air, etc etc etc...... Fluvals have been a none issue.

02/22/2008, 10:09 PM	#18
reefer1187 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: new york Posts: 253	so beside the gph there is really no difference between these filters?

02/22/2008, 10:13 PM	#19
BurntOutReefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Granada Hills Posts: 4,376	none.....although the Fluvals IMO are quiter and the parts are cheaper......

02/22/2008, 10:20 PM	#20
reefer1187 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: new york Posts: 253	yea i want something extremely quiet, so the fluval is my best bet? can someone also provide me with their noise factor on the rena?

02/22/2008, 10:22 PM	#21
BurntOutReefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Granada Hills Posts: 4,376	IMO....yes...but again...IMO...get the FX5.....you won't need another filter for at least another 5 years...difference is only apporx 150 between a FX5 and a 405

02/22/2008, 11:14 PM	#22
coryaquarium101 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bozeman, Montana Posts: 237	For my freshwater tanks I have Eheim canister filters. I can't even here them when they are on. Simple to clean too.

02/22/2008, 11:59 PM	#23
reefer1187 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: new york Posts: 253	wouldnt that turn over be too much for my tank?

02/23/2008, 08:56 AM	#25
reefer1187 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: new york Posts: 253	burnout i think hammerdude is correct on his statment about reefs and biowheels, too much detrius can cause a minicycle and no one wants that...but inform me more about the fx5, would that turnover be too much for my tank, and is it as easy to clean as a regular fluval, and also how quiet?