Hey all,

    Is there a big difference between a canister filter and a penguin 350 on a 46 gallon bow?  I like bio wheels but people are always so big on canisters.  What do you all think.

I love my Rena Filstar XP 2 on my 40g breeder. There's a few advantages to a canister for me.

1. More flow overall. Instead of having a drop down waterfall like a HOB a canister gives you flow overall using a spraybar (most come with one, if not they are cheap to buy).

2. With canistes you also have more filtering material. For my XP2 I have two carbon pads, two regular filter pads (just filter floss), and bio-stars. Replacements for the filter floss is cheap ($1 a sheet will last two changes) and the carbIton pads are like $8 for two changes.

3. You also get a wider range of materials to use in your canister. They make a ton of different pads to use. I love having the ability to change if I ever need to.

4. Keeping it clean is pretty easy too. For my Rena I just disconnect the hoses (done by simply lifting up a handle) and carry the whole thing to my bathtub.

It's all personal preference but for larger freshwater tanks I think a canister is the way to go. I've yet to have a problem with my Rena Filstar (knock on wood) and it's a lower end model compared to Eheims. I believe Susan owns an Eheim so maybe she can jump in as well.

Any more questions just let me know. I believe I have a Rena Filstar review floating around here someplace with pictures.

Have a good day!

I ask because I got someones marineland c-series canister.  It doesn't have a spray bar.  Is it possible to buy one or make one?  I have used Bio-wheels on all of my smaller tanks which is why im curious if the canister is a big advantage over the 350.

I'm sure you could use some PVC piping to make a spray bar. Just block one end off and drill holes the length of the bar.

Burks said :

I believe Susan owns an Eheim so maybe she can jump in as well.

I recently bought my third Eheim!  I like them much better for larger tanks than the hang-on-the-back filters.  They are great filters.  With my HOB's, I had to also use a sponge filter to avoid nitrite spikes.  The Eheims are great biological filters, so I don't have to use those any more.  They have cut down on the time I spend cleaning, too.  The sponge filters needed cleaned every couple of weeks, and the HOB every week.  I clean the Eheims every four weeks or so.  It could be less, but I'm bad to overfeed plus I have a lot of plants that shed bits that the filter picks up. 

alexmarq said :

I ask because I got someones marineland c-series canister.  It doesn't have a spray bar.  Is it possible to buy one or make one? 

You could call Trilby Tropicals. They carry Marineland products and they could probably order you the part if it is available stand alone.