Habitat - Indoor :: Is there an alternative to an underwater/canister filter?

[MerryMenagerie]

I am considering a fluval underwater filter, but would rather not take up the room in the tank. It is 55 gallons, but probably filled about 35 gallons. Is there one that can sit out the outside edge of the tank and the tubing reaches the water? I'm not worried about getting something I can use in future tanks, I don't want a huge one right now. When I need another one for a bigger tank, I will get one.

Thanks.

[ljapa]

Yep. It's called a canister filter.

Check out the filter media thread in the equipment section. For a thorough discussion of filter sizing and how to load it up:

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=30145

[penelope]

Yeah - 55 gallons qualifies for a canister filter without being overkill.
If you search around the site I think you may see that the XP3 is one of the more popular ones for that size tank. There are others equally as good, that's just the one that popped in my head.
I am not fond of the Fluval 305/405 series - they are so hard to prime even if you fill them up before trying to prime them, but that's just my opinion.
Once you get a canister, your life will change! They are so much easier!

[ljapa]

I've got a fluval 406 on a 55.

I think they've fixed the priming issue. At least it wasn't difficult at all the three times I had to prime with empty tubing.

That being said, I've seen lots of praise for the XP3, and not really any of us Fluval owners praising any Fluval equipment except the FX5.