Tull wrote:
All I know about canisters is that I want one. So far I've sensed that my
choices are Eheim, Fluval, Magnum and Jebo (listed in what looks like level
of quality).

What is the latest thinking and recommendation on these brands? I'm
setting up a 55-gallon freshwater tank.

Just to confuse you more, I think you should include the Rena filters
in there... I've just bought a Rena XP3, and it seems a well
thought-out filter, although I'm still in the process of assembling and
connecting it!

Previously I've had a Fluval 303. It's a nice filter, and you can get
the Fluval Surface Skimmer, which is an amazingly good surface film
extractor, for it. Unfortunately the FSS doesn't seem to fit the Rena
XP3.

Both these filters have return valves, so that it's an easy one-step
procedure to unplug the hoses when you're going to clean the filter.

I ran the Fluval 303 for three years, and had two problems with it.
Firstly, that the impeller axle is made of ceramic, which means that it
doesn't rust, but also that it's brittle and can break if you're not
careful when cleaning the filter. Replacing it was not all that cheap,
as I had to buy a new impeller.
The second problem is more serious, and it is that it's hard to get the
last air out of the filter, and until you do, it is horribly loud. I
had to do things like shake the filter upside down several times while
it was running to get the last air out. I see that the presently sold
303's look a bit different from mine, so maybe they no longer suffer
from this problem, but this was the reason I changed brand now.

(Incidentally the 303 died because my cat pushed a ten pound root off a
shelf, and it fell right on the filter. It was no fault of the filter.)

I haven't run the Rena XP3 yet, so I can't say anything about it except
that in functional design it seems similar to the Fluval 303/404 - and
that is a good thing.

I know I'm in the minority on this, but in my opinion Eheim is severely
overrated. I've had probably 10 Eheim cannister and internal filters
over the years, and had nothing but grief from them. Difficult to
clean, prone to spring leaks, vital parts made of brittle plastic
instead of metal. Spare parts are also very expensive for the Eheims.

Personally I feel Eheim is like BMW - it isn't worth the premium one
pays for the brand.