Our 29gal mixed reef tank has a Marineland Penguin 350 HOB Filter that's just died. In addition, we also run an AquaC Remora HOB skimmer and a Two Little Fishes media reactor (carbon/GFO). We have a Vortech MP10 for water flow.
I'm trying to decide what I should replace this with. I originally bought a larger HOB Filter when this tank was a FOWLR system without a skimmer or media reactor. This filter moved a lot of water and provided good aeration and surface agitation.
The only role the filter should have now is to remove larger detritus from the water column, so I'm tempted to go back to a smaller filter. Maybe a Marineland Emperor 280.
Does anyone have advice on reliable HOB filters? Or context/theory about what I need in one given I have a solid skimmer and media reactor?
Should I consider a canister filter instead? They seem more capable, but the maintenance and filter changing in a canister seems onerous.
I'm trying to decide what I should replace this with. I originally bought a larger HOB Filter when this tank was a FOWLR system without a skimmer or media reactor. This filter moved a lot of water and provided good aeration and surface agitation.
The only role the filter should have now is to remove larger detritus from the water column, so I'm tempted to go back to a smaller filter. Maybe a Marineland Emperor 280.
Does anyone have advice on reliable HOB filters? Or context/theory about what I need in one given I have a solid skimmer and media reactor?
Should I consider a canister filter instead? They seem more capable, but the maintenance and filter changing in a canister seems onerous.
