Caprichoso Posted August 10, 2011 Report Share Posted August 10, 2011 We're buying my sister a fish tank for her birthday. We've decided on something around 50 gallons. What would be a good quality canister or HOB filter for a tank of that size. I'm only familiar with the Fx5 and AquaClear personally as those are the only ones I've owned. I want her to have something that's easy to clean and use and that can be stuffed with a lot of bio-media. Thanks guys/gals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nautilus Posted August 10, 2011 Report Share Posted August 10, 2011 Personally I am a Rena fan and would run an XP3 with a Aquaclear on the side. As you see, I am also a fan of overfiltration!! Most of the cannisters such as Eheim are great. The only thing is cost and personal preference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ridethespiral Posted August 10, 2011 Report Share Posted August 10, 2011 (edited) 2x eheim 2215 or 2217 for ultimate filtration/flow easy to clean, lots of bio. relatively cheap if you can find one used (which is bound to be in great condition considering some of these canisters still run 30 years later) Edited August 10, 2011 by ridethespiral Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted August 10, 2011 Report Share Posted August 10, 2011 If you have the cash an Eheim would be great, but if you want good filtration on a budget, I'm with nautilus - go Rena XP3. If she wants to go planted, maybe just add in a med-lrg powerhead, but if she's wanting a largely populated display of fish an AC would be a good addition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BettaFishMommy Posted August 10, 2011 Report Share Posted August 10, 2011 i would go with two of the same filter, for ease of cleaning for a fish newbie (i'm assuming your sister hasn't had a tank before?). that way she doesn't have to learn how to operate and maintain two new kinds of filters, just one. i'd go with two Aquaclear 70's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caprichoso Posted August 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2011 Thanks for the info! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caprichoso Posted August 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2011 I just re-read the responses and realized you guys are suggesting 2 filters. She won't go for that...so I need to know what filter will be good on it's own for a 50 gallon. Thanks again:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaykit Posted August 10, 2011 Report Share Posted August 10, 2011 eheim is a great powerhouse canister filter and what i would recommend. You can get the 2226 and that will take care of any amount of fish that she'll put in the tank. Its easy to clean and service too and you can stuff alot of media into it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JORG Posted August 10, 2011 Report Share Posted August 10, 2011 I would go with the Rena XP3 or XP4 they are by far the easiest to rip apart and put back together. I run a lot of different brands of canisters but will eventually only be running Rena's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GIJester Posted August 11, 2011 Report Share Posted August 11, 2011 I've personally had great experience with AC HOB's Rena XP (3 and 4) and Ehiem (various) for 50G - go with a rena imo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caprichoso Posted August 11, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2011 Ok, great, thanks for the tips:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evolution Posted August 11, 2011 Report Share Posted August 11, 2011 (edited) I suggest an Eheim 2217 Classic or an Eheim 2226 Professional. Simply, there has never been a better quality or efficant brand of cannister filtration availible. They cost a little more to buy new, but nothing is cheaper to run. Running an Eheim will use less than half the energy of anything else; the media lasts twice as long as any other; they last 3 times longer than any other brand; no other filter biologically filters an aquarium as effiantly as an Eheim and they are made in a democratic society. They are the easiest filter to maintain and get started.Compare the intake strainer alone to everything else and that will give you a good idea of the difference in quality. Edited August 11, 2011 by Evolution Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanGofCalgary Posted August 11, 2011 Report Share Posted August 11, 2011 I would go with the Rena XP3 or XP4 they are by far the easiest to rip apart and put back together. this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.