2leftfins

Hmm, interesting. I was doing alot of reading and the canisters seem real versatile.

What I want is crystal clear water with no algae or other unsightly substance stuck on the structure. Is this possible, probably nor, but I am willing to try.

For now its weekly water changes and the search for the miracle filter.....

BJP

They can be. So can larger HOB's when you add alternative media to the included in some brands baskets ands refillable cartridges or make your own with knee high hose and such. I typically don't need much versatility knowing what I'm going to want going into a tank setup up front. My primary use of cannisters is in planted tanks with CO2 injection where I can add a spraybar to the output submerged below the surface to prevent gassing off CO2. Every filter has a use somewhere.

I've also basically quit using filtration on large tanks preferring continual flow setups and limiting extras to just circulation aids and short term mechanical collecters for aesthetics. Nothing keeps nitrate and phosphate down, DOC's flushed, pH stable, KH and trace elements replenished like a steady feed from a clean water source. Depending on flow rate I can also flush some parasites and such out keeping their numbers low in a diseased situation.

Tommy Gun

I just wanted to point out though that this is a pretty advanced concept and usually used by people who have lots of tanks and probrably most often used by an LFS who has a huge need for a lot of good quality water. Not to say that it isn't a good idea or doesn't work, but it is not really ideal for most of us.

I think that any type of filtration has its pros and cons and I would just say that everyone has their opinions and you are certainly free to create your own. While I do tend to side with BJP here as far as my liking the HOB filters, that is not to say that a cannister filter or any other type of filter is bad, harmful, or less useful than any other type. In certain situations, one may be better than another, but that is for you to decide as far as pertaining to your tanks.

2leftfins

What I like about the HOB filter is that it is easy to maintain. What I don't like is that it is loud.

I'm not too hard to please. Just find me a quiet, affordable, easy to maintain filter that dotixfies, kills parasites, kill Aglae and makes my water crystal clean.

Tommy Gun

Well, it would take a lot of filters to do all of that. Basically, a bare bones (normal) filter HOB or cannister simply creates a space for water to flow past some carbon and bio media with bacteria in it. My HOB filters are very quite, assuming that the water level is not too low. The good side of cannister filters is that you can put the intake and return tubes at any level you want in the tank, reducing the noise brought on by water falling into water, but the downside to that is you would oe could drain the entire tank if the intake was low enough and the filter got plugged up.

2leftfins

Tommy check PM's....

Tommy Gun

I checked as of 12:36 a.m. on 16Jan and no PMs from you, or anyone else really. Dont know if it did not work or if there is just a lag happening!?!?!?

2leftfins

I resent a message to you.

Tommy Gun

Got it and replied

handimn1

http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/Algae/