Canister Filter Or Hanging Filter?

[simonjonkman]

wondering which one is better?

 

[Yazan]

Canister Filter

 

[OrganizedChaos69]

Canister filters are always more expensive but always more effective. Hanging filters with biowheels are still fairly effective as well. Either one can potentially provide your fish with a healthy and happy life.

 

[Ilya]

I once had a cannister filter, and I never changed it, and I had it for months. Is that good?

And what would happen if you washed it with tap water? Would it kill the friendly bacteria (I assume it would).

 

[Yazan]

And what would happen if you washed it with tap water? Would it kill the friendly bacteria (I assume it would).

100% it would, never rinse any thing that contain bio bactirea with tap water thats not conditioned, and of course, never wash any thing even the aquarium with soap.

 

[OrganizedChaos69]

Well it wouldn't kill all the bacteria. it would probably kill 80 percentish though. Tap water goes through intesive processes to remove all the bacteria. Probably dozens of steps with many chemicals. Even then, the final tap water will have bacteria in it. Also there isn't enough chlorine in water to kill these bacteria upon impact. Soaking it in tap water could kill them all over time, but rinsing would definately not kill every last one.

 

[Yazan]

Also there isn't enough chlorine in water to kill these bacteria upon impact.

Depends how much chlorine is in your water, some countries put heaps of chlorine in tap water some put only little.

 

[dc3]

I'm gonna say that dollar for dollar a HOB filter is your best value. Sure, higher end canisters are lovely filters, but something like a Rena XP1 or Fluval 105 / 205 are gonna get their impellers kicked in by monster HOB's (my LFS has an XP1 priced a little higher than an Emperor 400). If you're considering filtering a medium sized tank and are looking to turn your water over you really can't go wrong. A lot of them have the ability to customize media (within limits) and the filters themselves are large enough to hold a fair bit.
Let's say you have $100 and want to filter something 40 to 55g - you can get one of the cheaper canisters - either low-volume or no-name and get a 3x water turnover OR you can put the money towards a HOB that's designed for a much larger tank (Aquaclear 300 / 500 or a Penguin 350 or Emperor 400) and get an 8 to 10x water turnover.
I know that's sort of comparing apples and oranges - but value for money is a big concern, specially when you contract MTS...

 

[simonjonkman]

i have a fluval 305 for a 48 gallon tank..is that bad?

 

[Yazan]

i have a fluval 305 for a 48 gallon tank..is that bad?

IMO, anything over 50 gallons should have a canister.

 

[dc3]

i have a fluval 305 for a 48 gallon tank..is that bad?

The Fluval 300 series (304 / 305) are rated for tanks in the 65 tto 70g range, so it should work fine on your tank - they're nice filters - the majority of mine are fluvals and i've never had leaks or problems or any of the bad things you may read about them