Hob Vs. Canister Filters

[This Old Spouse]

I've got HOB filters on all my tanks, and frankly, I'm tired of all the noise. Are canister filters quieter? Do you prefer them over HOBs? Are canister filters more difficult to maintain? I know canisters are more expensive, but do you find it's worth the extra expense?

 

[StandbySetting]

On anything larger than 10 gallons external canister filters are what I use, HOB's are useless from a circulation perspective.

 

[Westwood]

In my room I have both, and I can definitely hear the HOB filter more. I would definitely get canisters!

 

[Hermithall]

I find the humming and vibration from aquarium equipment annoying at times too. I can't speak for HOB filters as I've never owned one but regarding canister filters I noticed a huge reduction in noise when I switched one tank's internal canister filter to an external canister filter which sits under the tank in a cupboard.

 

[KittyKat]

In my experience, everything about external filters is better than hang on the back filters. HOTBs are worth less bother than sponge filters with an airpump, as they are about as effective, but not fry-safe.

 

[This Old Spouse]

Is there anything I have to retrofit, or can I just get an external canister and set it up? (With mature media, I'm assuming.)

 

[StandbySetting]

You have to cut the hoses to size otherwise the flow rates are compromised but that's about it, just fit the parts together and put into place.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Boy I must really be an idiot. I have been running between 15 and 20 tanks for the past 11 years using mostly AquaClear Power filters. I keep altum angels, I keep discus, I breed all sorts of plecos, raise tons of fry. Oh and at any time 10-12 of the tanks are planted.

Filter count:

H.O.B Power Filters-
AquaClears: 24
Emperor 400: 1
Liberty : 1
Whisper: 1

Hangon Canisters:
H.O.T Magnum: 2
Spares- they serve on a spot basis as my tank vaccum, water polisher and changing water pretreatment. When filler with peat or crushed coral I can change params on 20-30 gals of water overnight easily or mostly within a few hours in emergencies: 4

Sponges-
Air driven: 6
Powerhead driven: 9


Eheim Pro II 2026: 2

I am happy to know that the silent system of AquaClears are so noisey. I could not hear them before you told me how noisey the really are and that don't circulate well. Go figure.

I am so glad that neither my fish nor my plants can read or they might all have died from such a lack of adequate filtration from all those hangons.

 

[bae1994]

Well Hobs have there purpose ( cheap and work) but anything over 50 gallons id say go external IMO as the Hobs just don't seem big enough after 50g ( so the ones rated for 50g plus just don't seem big enough)

 

[Noahs ark6]

i'd say external canisters, they are better in every way for me, especially on larger tanks (40gal upwards)

 

[Harlequins]

I have 3 externals & one hob(with the intention of getting rid soon),prefer externals anyday,easier to maintain and very quiet in comparison.

Go external you won't regret it

 

[This Old Spouse]

If I can get an external for my 55g, I guess I'll give that a go. Can I use the mature filter media from my HOB to use with it?

 

[KittyKat]

If I can get an external for my 55g, I guess I'll give that a go. Can I use the mature filter media from my HOB to use with it?

Yes, unless your HOTB is a "bio wheel" type and you only use the bio wheel itself for biological filtration. Otherwise, just move all media to the external and you're set to go. If for some reason you can't move the media, just run both filters in parallel for 6+ weeks.

 

[BigbruiserAl]

Boy I must really be an idiot.

Sometimes the way you reply maybe so huh

 

[karawr]

I've got an Aquaclear 30 HOB on my 20g and don't find it that noisy. But then again, I keep the water level really high so I don't have to listen to it. I'm not really impressed with it at all. I'm not overstocked and yet I keep getting this brown gunk growing on everything. I've even cut down on feeding and increased w/c... I think it's just due to poor circulation.

Other than that I use canister and like them so much more. I wouldn't really say maintenance is easier... what with the difficult priming on some, water splashing everywhere if you don't know your stuff, are heavy and annoying when it's time to clean (lol, these are just my quams )... but it's all worth it. Mine hum a little (I've got rena XP3 and eheim 2217) but it doesn't bother me. I'd say go canister on anything 40g or higher!!

And yes, I would just switch over your mature media from the HOB to the canister.