Best Canister filters to use

Hi I'm planning to change my sump filter to a canister filter.

I've got a planted tank and using CO2 but the sump defeats the purpose of the CO2 for making a splash. I try to limit the splash changing the outlet but its still there. And the sump is to noisy as well.

Ive got a 540 liter tank and there is ample space at the bottom of the tank to fit a canister filter.

What size canister do I need to ensure a good filtration?
Where is the best place to buy a canister filter? I'm in PTA.
What make canisters is the most reliable?
Can you use a Pressurized Pond filter?

Ive seen video clips on Youtube for DIY canisters, is there a trick on building your own? Some people use the bottom as an inlet and others use the top. The top just make more sense for cleaning it?

 

Hi.
With 540 liters i would buy the biggest canister you can find/afford.
You want to turn over the volume of the tank at least four times an hour - so you looking at a minimum of 2000 l/h.
Eheim is probably the best and most reliable filters out there,as always,you get what you pay for.

 

fluvel FX5 cannister michael has one for sale at a good price think HE WANTS R2500 FOR IT.

 

+1 on Eheim.

 

hi. agree with the above. fx5 or 6 if you can afford it if not, then 2 sunsun 304b filters will do the job. they give you a bang for your buck. ask @HEIHACHI he is using one on his Malawi tank.

 

+1 for fluval fx5/6 ,great filters

 

My fx5 that I advertised for sale is working really great on my 500l tank

 

The l/hr rate that manufactures quote is actually the pump only rating, once the filter media is added, you will only get 60-70% of this l/hr rate. Quantity and type of filter media, amount of dirt trapped, the height that the filter return has to pump to will all reduce the actual filtration rate. If you want an actual 4 - 6 times volume filtration rate you will need a filter that is rated somewhere between 3500 to 5000 l/hr.
Having said all that, in the real world, I think you will find a 4x tank volume rating, in your case 2000 - 2500 l/hr, will give you an actual filtration rate of around 1300 - 1600l/hr to be more than sufficient.
Depending on space and budget, you may want to consider, say, 2x1200 to 1500l/hr rated canisters filters, this will provide some back up if one fails, you will certainly find 2 good filters for the same, or at a lower price, of top of the range equipment.
....my 2c worth....

 

I agree with what Jwh is saying about the flow rate.
The fx5 has a flow rate of 3500 l/h and has been designed to filter tanks up to 1500 liters.
I am sure it will provide excellent filtration for your 540 liter tank.

 

I have used: Eheim, tetra tec and resun cannisters and happy with all

 

Eheim, fluval and hydor are very good canister filters if you have the cash for them. Ive always been a Eheim fan but got to use the hydor filters also and they are awesome. Have very good flow and well built. Fx5 and 6 are amazing filters they do take up space though

 

Thanks for all the advise, I've looked at a dolphin c1600 today but still deciding and budget to get one. It looks if the Fluval is the best to get but it comes with price tag.

 

I still haven't bought my canister yet but it will be sometime soon.

I can get a Fluval FX6 for R5700 and then a Fluval G6 for R4620.

The G6 is for 600liter therefore should be sufficient for my tank. Does anybody have experience on the G6? Or will it be beter to pay the R1100 extra for the FX6.

 

Fx6 all the way

 

My personal experience - Tetra Ex has always had the leaking issues though can be fixed. O-rings the common issue. These sunsun for budget wise most value for money..dophin also quite reliable. Then the Cascade series I would say just as great. Fluval has it's reputation # Basically what suits your pocket , when you can afford the best I would go for it. But yet again you can buy almost 3 sunsun's at a fluval's price. All great canisters. O jeah Eheim as well.

 

It's a bit like a car discussion, a toyota and a merc will both get you there, in safety and comfort. Do you want to pay double to 3x the price to arrive in a merc?

 

@Tetra....look at the cost of the filter media and accessories for the G6. There is a reason why it is cheaper than the FX6.But with Fluval you cannot go wrong

 

Hi. If you can afford the fluval then go for the fx6. If not then go the sunsun way. You will not have a problem.

 

I was also told that the Tetra canisters tend to leak. I settled for two Dophin cannisters. I have a c1000 and a c1600 on my 500l tank and they work like a charm. Definitely good value for money. My c1000 is now 4 years old and still running perfectly. I have recently replaced all the o rings and the impellor just in case and even that was not such a costly exercise. About R 350.00.