Just to create discussion on my favorite forum, which in your opinion is a better filter? Canister, or Hang-on the back? ( Fish tanks 40 Gallons, and Bigger!)
Which Is Better? A Canister or Hang-on The Back Filters?
- Thread starter GentleGiantsCichlidKeeper
- Start date
I vote HOB as they seem to get more regular maintenance across the hobby as a whole.
Although both do the same thing, as Raka stated, most people run cans too long between cleanings, so they become nitrate repositories spewing out nitrate back and forth throughout the system.
I've had quite a few of both, and I have to say that the hang on back are SOOOOOOO much easier to clean. Canister filters are such a pain, but they have the advantage of moving lots of water and a large space for filter media.
What I've started to do with the canisters is just have large media in them like bioballs and ceramic rings, but put a sponge prefilter on the intake pipes to keep most of the debris out of the filter. I was having trouble with anoxia on my planted 160 with the FX5, so I was considering switching to 3-4 Aquaclear 110 filters on it because they are so easy to clean and would move more water. Instead I added a big air-driven sponge filter, which solved the problem.
What I've started to do with the canisters is just have large media in them like bioballs and ceramic rings, but put a sponge prefilter on the intake pipes to keep most of the debris out of the filter. I was having trouble with anoxia on my planted 160 with the FX5, so I was considering switching to 3-4 Aquaclear 110 filters on it because they are so easy to clean and would move more water. Instead I added a big air-driven sponge filter, which solved the problem.
Having ran both large HOBs and large cans in the past, I prefer a quality HOB.
Aquaclear hands down.
I have just bought an AquaClear 50 to run with my pre-existing filter a few weeks ago. It seems to keep the water from getting cloudy well, and cleans up excessive food relatively fast. I really think their filter inserts are the best on the market, hands down!
The other people have brought up the fact that canisters are harder to open and clean and therefore more likely to go inbetween cleanings and not be properly maintained thus becoming a nitrate factory so I won’t bother bringing it up again. Assuming certain factors are met, different factors for either one, I could vote either one. If someone is willing to do the maintenance on the canister on a regular basis then they would be better since they hold far more media. If someone prefers the ease of filter maintenance and is more likely to do it if it is easier then a hob is better.
It all comes down to the individual making the decision at the moment, I know that since I’m lazy when it comes to canister maintenance I would prefer a nice hob.
My opinion is not that of a solid one where it will be the same each time I am asked therefore I sustain from voting.
It all comes down to the individual making the decision at the moment, I know that since I’m lazy when it comes to canister maintenance I would prefer a nice hob.
My opinion is not that of a solid one where it will be the same each time I am asked therefore I sustain from voting.
honestly it all depends, Brand? Size Tank? Stocking list? it all depends, i love Hob filters, but canisters have a great use as well