Switching To Canister Filter

[KombatVirus]

Hey everyone,

I am going to be switching to a canister filter in the near future. I currently use a marineland dual biowheel filter, but it's performance is not good at all and not really up to my expectations.

I am using it to clean a 30 gallon aquarium with two axolots and a bunch of live plants. It just doesn't cut it, and some recent research revealed that these filters are not very good at all.

I'm looking to upgrade to a fluval 306 canister filter soon. I wanted to get people's opinions or tips who have canister filters with their axolotls.

One big question I have is how to position the intake and output areas. Should I put the output at the top left and the intake close to the bottom right side of the aquarium? I was worried it might suck in the sand substrate, so I should probably put it about 2" over the sand right?


Also, how can I better defuse the output? I don't really have any tall decorations that are flat on top, and I really like the current setup in the aquarium and don't want to move things around. This is a my biggest concern because I know the problems of stressing Axolotls out with flowing water.

 

[Swag]

Strange, I've heard very very positive things about the biowheel filters... I guess everyone prefers different things.

Put the intake and output on opposite sides on the top of the aquarium, not near the bottom. Get a spray bar for the output. If you don't mind the noise, the spray bar being above the water will be beneficial in two ways, hitting the water surface will slow it down, reducing current, and it will also cause a lot of surface disruption which will aid in evaporation, thus cooling the tank significantly.

 

[KombatVirus]

Strange, I've heard very very positive things about the biowheel filters... I guess everyone prefers different things.

Put the intake and output on opposite sides on the top of the aquarium, not near the bottom. Get a spray bar for the output. If you don't mind the noise, the spray bar being above the water will be beneficial in two ways, hitting the water surface will slow it down, reducing current, and it will also cause a lot of surface disruption which will aid in evaporation, thus cooling the tank significantly.

Not sure, but in my case they're not doing a very good job. I do water changes 2-3 times per week and am still not satisfied with the water quality and overall cleanness of the tank, so I was looking into better filtration options. I had to defuse the output of the filter with a sponge, which significantly brought down the performance. Something just seems off about this filter to me, maybe I got a dud.

From what I read, even the aquaclear filters that also hang on the back are significantly better. I was thinking about that as an option as well, it sure is significantly cheaper. If anyone has experience with those, I would love to hear it

 

[Skudo09]

The canister filter I use is actually meant for a larger volume than my tank can hold. But with a spray bar, having the spray bar above the water surface and placing items to help dispurse the flow helps. I just have fake plants placed in the flow of the spray bar and they do at least slow it down. I also have the spray bar so it is aimed at an angle facing the rear wall of the tank so that also aids to slow down the flow.

 

[KombatVirus]

I see, makes sense.

In any case, I really need people's opinions here. My current filter really is not doing the water much good, lots of particles flowing around in there that I can see if I shine the light. Cartridges always get clogged very quickly and the bio wheels often stop spinning or some other problem.

Right now I am in a debate between getting a canister filter, most likely the fluval 306 or similar, or getting a HOB filter such as the aquaclear 110 which I read a lot of good about as well.

The pros for the acquaclear are that it has a very high GPH filtered, works similar to a canister filter, you can easily re-use and change out the filter media, easy to take care of, and is significantly cheaper than a similar canister. However, on the downside, I'll have to create a custom diffuser for it so the current doesn't upset my axolotls.

On the other hand we have canister, which I am quite unfamiliar with as I have never had one. Supposedly better filtration, but harder to set up, harder to maintain and will cost at least twice as much as the HOB setup.

I would love to get some members' opinions and what works for them. The tank is a 30 gallon with two axies in it.

 

[Richie373]

I see, makes sense.

In any case, I really need people's opinions here. My current filter really is not doing the water much good, lots of particles flowing around in there that I can see if I shine the light. Cartridges always get clogged very quickly and the bio wheels often stop spinning or some other problem.

Right now I am in a debate between getting a canister filter, most likely the fluval 306 or similar, or getting a HOB filter such as the aquaclear 110 which I read a lot of good about as well.

The pros for the acquaclear are that it has a very high GPH filtered, works similar to a canister filter, you can easily re-use and change out the filter media, easy to take care of, and is significantly cheaper than a similar canister. However, on the downside, I'll have to create a custom diffuser for it so the current doesn't upset my axolotls.

On the other hand we have canister, which I am quite unfamiliar with as I have never had one. Supposedly better filtration, but harder to set up, harder to maintain and will cost at least twice as much as the HOB setup.

I would love to get some members' opinions and what works for them. The tank is a 30 gallon with two axies in it.

I use a canister filter with my axolotls, a Fluval 206, and found it easier and more simple than any other filter I've used.
It took me ( Total novice with handiwork) around 10 minutes to set up, the instruction manual is really good, and comes with all the needed media.
Cost wise in there UK here it was £86 and are sometime cheaper on eBay but i know the 306 is around £120ish here!
I've found once it is setup, it really is simple to maintain, just change the carbon every two weeks or so and give a general rinse to the canister and media in tank water every month.
It fills itself up, has a variable flow and I wouldn't go back to anything else!

 

[BURGESS1504]

I just picked up a sun sun 304b on ebay really cheap.... they have good reviews.

 

[Ronwel1]

Go for the sun sun. I have two, the first one is almost 5 years old and I have had zero issues, it runs very quietly and cost less than 1/3 of the fluval equivalent.

 

[jennyha]

I used to have a biowheel on my 20gal. It burnt through one day while I was at work. I wouldn't by another one. I really really like the fluval aquaclear HOB filters for smaller tanks. To slow down the current on that one, I cut a piece of filter sponge and attached it with suction cups from my old heater right below the overflow. It works like a charm. But on my 55 I have an Eheim 2217 and wouldn't trade it for the world. I love it. To slow down the current and break the water surface to aerate the water better I positioned the spray bar below the surface but pointing upward in an angle so it ripples the surface quite a bit but the current is way slowed down by the time it gets in the lower areas of the tank.
I bought my Eheim from Amazon.