Canister: Magnum, Ocean Clear or Eheim?

[Armando]

I need to get a canister filter to help me syphon out detritus. Any recommendations on what I should get? The Ocean Clear does not have included pump so it might be a PIA to carry it around. The Eheim looks good but it is very expensive. Mmm.

 

[Jim Tansey]

I'am sure you know this trick but you can syphon from the main tank through filter floss and into the sump, I clean this way all the time, works great.

Jim

 

[Armando]

Can't do that. Tank & sump are in separate rooms. Right now I'm syphoning to a large container but it is messy and cumbersome.

 

[Moe_K]

Whoa, cool idea Jim!
Funny how something as simple as that might be ignored or unknown by many folks.

 

[nunofs]

FWIW, I use a Rena Filstar XP2 canister on my freshwater setup and I really like it... supposedly Eheim quality but much less money: http://aquariumpharmaceuticals.com/filstar.html

Nuno

 

[redpaulhus]

For occasional detritus siphoning and/or polishing I like the Marineland HOT Magnum unit with the micron cartridge and the gravel vac attachment (you can use just the hose without the big barrel if needed) -- its easy to move from tank to tank, or off\on the tank as needed.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=3598&N=2004+22777+2146962610

(this kit includes the bio-wheel, but that's for constant use and can be ignored in this context)

 

[synchiropi]

I have a Renassaince 10 canister filter made by Hydor (same people that make the Hydor FLO rotating deflector). It is a very neat, silent, all inclusive, inexpensive unit that I got during a clearance. They are currently sold as Prime filters by Drs Fosters and Smith.

 

[gordonzoo]

I use an Eheim. When I disconnect the hoses it shuts off the water via two ball valves. Very nice setup! The canister has a nice o-ring seal that has never leaked and two trays inside that stack nicely. Easy and no mess at all when I clean it out. It's also so quite I have to check the water flow to see if it's running.
By the way, how long should I keep a canister going without changing out the carbon? I use rocks on the first layer and carbon on the second.
Rich

 

[delta]

i use the magnum it has shut off valves and i like the fact the impellar is in the bottom so no priming issues. another nice feature is that when the pump is off the filter housing is easily removed so no dragging cords around to get to a safe spill area for removing the cover. also has nice on off switch three total around the base can turn on and off with a flick of the foot

i had an ehiem but is a pain to priming, great filter i just dont like it for maintenance.

HTH

 

[gordonzoo]

The Ehiem has a prime but I've never had to use it. As soon as I lock the hoses into place the air shoots up the hoses and it's ready to plug in. As far as the on/off you have to unplug anyway if you?re cleaning it up. I can't comment about any other units but I've been happy with the Ehiem would buy another if I had to years from now.

 

[me2003]

I use a Magnum Pro. It has several advantages over a canister filter.

1. Micron filter or Mechanical filter.
You can use the mechanical filter with foam sleeve to syphon large amounts
of detritus/clean substrate. At the same time activated carbon will take some
organics out.
The Micron filter to polish the water/remove small detritus floating in the water.
For example when cleaning algae off glass the micron filter works well.

2. The filters are easier to change, clean and reuse than other canister filters.

3. Many canister filters are designed to be run constantly on an aquarium.
The magnum is a better design for cleaning. I prefer not to run a canister
filter constantly. It may increase nitrates.

4. Hanging the magnum on the side is helpful. I use a filter while cleaning
the glass and I was always walking into canister filters.

 

[Armando]

I checked a couple of major online stores and they no longer sell Magnum canister filters.

 

[redpaulhus]

I checked a couple of major online stores and they no longer sell Magnum canister filters.

The only place I didn't see it was Marine Depot - and the cheapest was That Fish Place.

http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=22141;category_id=2981

http://www.thatpetplace.com/Products/KW/hot,magnum/Class//T1/F22+0221+0191/EDP/11634/Itemdy00.aspx

http://www.petsolutions.com/H+O+T+Magnum+Pro+System+Canister+Filter-I-47490135-I-C-101812-C-.aspx

 

[Armando]

actually that is the filter i use now, a HOT Magnum, I thought there was a bigger model. The HOT Magnum is too small for what I need, i think I need something bigger. It also makes a lot of microbubbles, i tried many things but the problem was never resolved.