Any fishkeepers here? Saltwater or freshwater

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Not to step on any toes but most hang-over-back filters are fairly overrated, particularly the Marineland setups with a bio-wheel.

Setups using porous rock (ie. lava rock), fluidized sand, or even a cheap sponge filter, are WAY more effective at bio-filtration. And a good canister filter will mechanically outperform even the best HOB by a WIDE margin.

My 90 gallon ran 2 Emperor 400's and 2 Magnum 350 canisters.

The HOBs were great because they offered good mechanical filtration and an easy medium to clean/replace with the carbon inserts. If I used exclusively canisters, changing out that sleeve repeatedly would be a pain in the ass.

Instead of having to shut off my plumbing and take the pump apart, I could just pull the inserts and replace them. While the Magnums did a better job, the Emperors were easily more convenient to use.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

My 90 gallon ran 2 Emperor 400's and 2 Magnum 350 canisters.

The HOBs were great because they offered good mechanical filtration and an easy medium to clean/replace with the carbon inserts. If I used exclusively canisters, changing out that sleeve repeatedly would be a pain in the ass.

Instead of having to shut off my plumbing and take the pump apart, I could just pull the inserts and replace them. While the Magnums did a better job, the Emperors were easily more convenient to use.

I get that but it's the job they do.

My Rena XP3, one tray loaded with nothing but Seachem Matrix, is like have six Emporer 400's on my 55G.

I clean mine every 30 days - it takes about 30 minutes and bypassing it is a cinch, just lift a lever and pull the off the head.

But I would actually like to put in a plug for a Hydrosponge. I single Hydrosponge 3 with all the tubing is like $10. Attach an airstone to it and it has the bio-filtration of all of your and my filters put together.