Canister filter recommendations for a goldfish tank

[kyryah]

I am looking to get my 80 gallon set up for fancy goldfish, and I have decided to enter the wide world of canister filters for a couple of reasons. I think I can get more reliable filtration with a single unit this way, rather than having to use several HOBs, and I can also use a spray bar attachment to reduce flow, which I think is the best scenario for the fancy goldfish.

Here is the problem - what I know about canister filters would fit on the head of a pin. I do know that they are quite expensive, so let me lay it like this -

What is a (reasonably) economical canister filter, that I can fit with a spray bar, and is suitable for filtering 160 gallons minimum?

Any tips would be greatly appreciated, both on filter size/type and where to get one at the best price possible.

Kristina

 

[SMinNC]

All I know is Magnums.

So I'd go with an UGF and a 350 Magnum.

Massquantities of Bio-filtration. And one bad water cleaner.

 

[kyryah]

I have never used a UGF in my life - for one thing, I do not use gravel. So, would that still apply?

Kristina

 

[FISHSHROD]

Most people in the hobby have gotten away from undergravel systems, me for one. I used them way back 30 years or so ago, I thought that was the only way to go . HOB'S and cannisters are most popular nowadays. I have used all kinds including trickle . On my last goldie tank(120 gal) I used a combination of 2x emperor 400's and 2 x magnum 350's , sand bottom and smooth rocks, no plants.

I no longer have that tank and have since downsized to just one , 125 gal planted tank. I just installed my first real biological cannister , fluval FX5 . I previously used 2 x magnum 350's and they did the job but with more recent livestock additions including 6 baby angels I decided to upgrade. I moved all the bio media over to the new filter and continue to use the others for water movement.

The FX5 seems like a real deal filter and it's really quiet. They can be had on ebay rather inexpensive.(I did not get mine from ebay).
That is just my response to your thread so let other chime in with their experience.

Oh , remembering my old tank, here they are

 

[OldMan47]

I have found that the Rena Filstar XP series are very nice filters. For a tank that big you would probably want to go with the XP4. I have used a HOT Magnum as an emergency filter but would stay away from it for everyday use. I have also been disappointed with the inability of the Marineland C series to shut off properly for me to do filter maintenance. I have never tried a Fluval or Eheim canister so I have no opinion on those systems.

 

[Lupin]

Oh , remembering my old tank, here they are

The fish is so lovely.:hearts:

 

[kyryah]

Thanks for all of the input!

Does anyone have any experience with Jebo canisters?

Kristina

 

[CWO4GUNNER]

With gold fish which are heavy eaters and poopers I would definitely go with a reliable, simple, powerful (100 Gal), proven history (20 Yrs) and that is also reasonably priced. The only canister out there that meets all this criteria is the Magnum 350 for under $100 new. However if you know how to shop and bid on eBay the Magnum pops up all the time for less then $50 shipped because they have been around so long, last so long and because there are so many out there. I have been running a single Magnum on my 120 tank since January with a Penguin 350 and that aquarium has been crystal clear.
It really all comes down to value for Budget. If budget is not a concern then go for the best and buy either a Fluval FX5 or Eheim 2080. I still look on eBay for Magnum deals because they are such a work horse filter to operate if I buy another craigist tank. And don’t ever think that doubling up on filters is a negative, actually a big positive for so many reasons from having a cleaner tank, alternating maintenance, back up redundancy, cycling a new tank by pulling the spare Magnum.

Here you go http://www.amazon.com/Magnum-350-De...ie=UTF8&s=miscellaneous&qid=1246850442&sr=8-1

OR

http://cgi.ebay.com/Marineland-Magnum-350-filter-pump_W0QQitemZ160345704230QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2555594726&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1205|293%3A1|294%3A50

 

[NorCalFish]

I agree, if on a budget, ebay is the best route. I went here, http://stores.shop.ebay.com/MONSTER-PETS to get my marineland c160.

 

[Dumptruck]

I'd say Eheim classic is the way to go, super awesome kit that now comes with Substrat Pro BIO media most expensive bio media out there. Very little to no bypass since the input is on the bottom of the canister and the output is on top, easy clean just take the basket out and dunk it in a bucket of old aquarium water rinse rinse rinse and its all bueno, besides Gunther Eheim invented the canister filter.