FishProfiles.com Message Forums

I am in the process of putting together my very first tank. A 55 gallon community freshwater with live plants and low to mid lighting. I have decided on my fish and a few of the plants and am now looking at filtration.

I have been advised that a canister filter would be good for my situation. However, I don't have the budget for a high dollar Eheim unit. therefore, I am here asking you. What is the best canister filter for under $80(US)?

Here are a few I have found:
Penn Plax Cascade 1000 Canister Filter - http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp17290/si1382698/cl0/pennplaxcascade1000canisterfilter
Aquarium Pharmaceuticals RENA Filstar XP 2 Canister Filter - http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp17290/si1380029/cl0/aquariumpharmaceuticalsrenafilstarxp2canisterfilter
Marineland H.O.T. Magnum - 250 G.P.H. - http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp17290/si1382180/cl0/marinelandhotmagnum250gph
Marineland Magnum 350 Micron Filter - http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp17290/si1382182/cl0/marinelandmagnum350micronfilter

If you know of another, by all means, let me know. I need to come to some sort of conclusion on a filter fairly soon.

Thanks for any and all input!
Ketso

I've only had experience with the Rena XP2, so I'll give my opinions on it.

Overall, it's a very solid design. It's quiet, relatively easy to setup, and filters great, and it has a great shutoff feature that allows for easy cleaning. Two main drawbacks I found, though:

1. The media basket could be a bit bigger. If you plan to run peat or anything like that, you'll find yourself swapping out mechanical cartridges.

2. The little plastic hose clamps that come with it are about as useful as a brocolli-flavored lollipop. Do yourself a favor and go get some actual, honest-to-goodness metal hose clamps, or else you run the risk of one of the hoses popping off and covering your floor with a substantial amount of water in very little time.

So, with those two caveats, I still highly recommend the Rena.

Joe Potato

I know you didn't list the Eheim Ecco as one of your choices, but there is a model for under $80.00 availabe. I currently have one running on a 55 gallon tank, and it has done a great job. Here's a link.

http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp17290/si1382870/cl0/eheimeccocomfortcanisterfilter2234

Jim

---

Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody. -- Mark Twain

Hmmmm ... Been a day and half since my OP. Would have thought there would have been more folks willing to give their opinion. But, oh well.

Thanks for the input Joe Potato and OldTimer. It is appreciated. And Joe, I hope you dont mind, but I am going to steal your line. A brocolli flavored lollipop. I love it.

I had to replace a very old wispher 60 filter I was using on a 55gal tank, I looked around and desiced I would try the cascade 1000. Very glad I did it been working great now for 6months. very quiet easy to to hook up, Go with t the cascade is my advice. I like it so much I bought a 700 for a 26gal bowfront that was given to me this weekend. Also if you go with a canister you can hook-up a UV sterilizer for you planted tank and now Hydor offers and inline heater. Use both and love the very clean look of the tank. Bigal's has the best price I have found and I just order filter and other items on monday. I have had trouble with the time it takes bigalsonline to ship thing so I used pet solutions they price match and they will not let you order stuff if they don't have in stock and most of the time its shippe dthe same day.

Djrichie
"So Long, and Thanks For All The Fish" Douglas Adams