Should i buy a canister filter

These filters are reliable little workhorses with a smaller footprint than competing models. I really respect that Fluval has made the motor so energy efficient.

Some canisters can really draw a lot of power, but the 07 series filters are equivalent to running a single light bulb, which is tremendous considering how much water these filters can move. This is especially handy since the bottom most layer is meant for additional mechanical filter media that should be rinsed out periodically to remove detritus.

There is a side compartment with huge pieces of foam for mechanical filtration. These can be easily removed to clear out gunk without having to mess with the trays of filter media. This canister comes with all the filter media you need to get up and running right out of the box: mechanical, biological and chemical. The Fluval 06 series comes with some pretty awesome tech!

Its powerful motor is durable and will maintain a strong flow between maintenance. Precise-engineered bearings and protective cover minimizes noise from the impeller.

Protecting it from moisture and debris — making it very durable. A great feature of these canisters is that they use the entire volume to separate each filtration stage. Resulting in greater efficiency and minimal mess-free maintenance. The filter works wonderfully at absorbing debris and preventing clogged media.

Instant priming is always a neat feature. The AquaStop valve is easy to install and allows you to completely engage and disengage the flow rate or adjust between. The Fluval 06 series is a strong and dependable filter for both fresh and saltwater aquariums. Summary: Featuring some of the most advanced features available on canister filters, Fluval are famous for producing reliable filtration.

Eheim are famous for their German-engineered canister filters. The first thing that comes to my mind when I think of German engineering — efficiency. Because Eheim has been around for over 30 years! Available for 40, 66, and gallon tanks, the kit comes complete with Eheim mech and Substrat Pro media. What I like most about this filter, is that it has no bypass. That means all the debris has to go through the media, resulting in super clear water.

Fixed Permo-elastic silicon seal rings on the pump head allow for easy and safe closing after cleaning. Summary: A classic in the hobby, Eheim are famous for their simple but efficient filters. With no bypass, this filter is excellent at catching even the finest debris. The kit includes 3 packs of extra white filter pads and 1 pack of blue coarse pads. What makes this filter stand out, is the fact that it comes with a built-in 9 watt UV sterilizer. Which helps to kill algae spores and bacteria; promoting crystal clear water.

The big blue self-priming pump works great, eliminating the need for manual siphoning. Close Menu. JavaScript is disabled.

For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly. You should upgrade or use an alternative browser. Just curious Someone I do not know, has advertised locally a Fluval fx4 canister filter. They have all the paperwork and have only used it for a month, to run a temporary set up.

If the media is replaced and the filter housing etc. The filter is listed for I have not priced out new filter media though, it might cost enough that it would be only a little bit more to buy a new one. I have bought used filters. Some good some bad.

The HOB I bought worked perfectly. The canister I got with a tank worked perfectly too. I didn't replace the biological media, only the sponge and floss. I did have one bad experience though. I bought a second canister for my tank, set it up after cleaning and it worked fine. Recently my other filter broke, needed a new one fast. Definitely prefer the one I bought myself. That experience definitely put me off using used filters, though most I bought were great and I'll give them a go if I get them with a tank.

If you see it up and running to make sure it works and has no leaks or other problems in his tank with fish to make sure it wasn't contaminated by anything, I might consider it. Also not all the media will need to be replaced only sponges and floss the rest can probably be boiled.

That's what I would go for if it was me. Which one specifically do you have in mind? I started researching the sunsun today and I saw a lot more negative reviews on it then the Fluval had.

I liked some of the "extra" features on the FX4. I posted on another thread today that our local Petsmart put the FX4 on sale down to I might just go that route. By the time I buy the used one and get some new filter media for it it won't be a lot more to get a new one.

Plus I can then cut the hose to exactly how I want it etc You will get a ton of different responses about your question, ha. It will go in sale again I'm sure. Main question is, are you in need of a canister at the moment, or wanting to locknut upon it's a good deal? I would only by it, if the seller can produce a legit receipt. They have a 3 year warranty. These types of filters st outside of the tank and use hoses submerged in the tank to filter the water.

Canister filters have tubes that are submerged in the tank. The water is drawn up through a lift tube and into an external filter chamber where the water is then taken through a few different filter medias to clean the water. Depending on the brand of the filter, the direction of the water can be from bottom to top, top to bottom, back to front, outside-in, or center-out.

All canisters use pumps to transport the water since the system is sealed. Most of the canister filters come with integral water pumps that are either built into the cover or the base. Although, some require a separate external water pump. The maintenance of these filters can vary depending on the model, brand and media used.

You can put a variety of filter media in your canister such as baskets, isolated chambers, media bags, and cartridges. You can use these separately or with each other to provide your tank with the right type of filtration for your particular setup.

Some of the media requires you to rinse it out regularly rather than when you see it has stopped filtering properly with a power filter. Some of the media also requires replacement every so often, which could potentially cost you a pretty penny.

Check out this video. It shows you exactly how to clean a canister filter and what exactly is involved in maintaining one. Sure, maintaining these filters may involve more effort than the power filters, but when it comes to the health of your fish, it may be well worth it. Canister filters give you more options than a power filter would. By this, I mean that you have more options to choose from when it comes to your filtration and media. The power filters come with the pre-made manufacturer media cartridges.

You can mix and match, ensuring your fish and other aquatic creatures have the proper filtration that they need. Since canister filters are nowhere near the top of the tank and return water through a spray bar, there is a reduction in evaporation and current.

Honestly, I would spend the extra cash even for one for a smaller tank, such as the Penn Plax Cascade. This filter can accommodate aquariums between 30 and gallons, depending on which one you choose.