Canister filter Vs other filter types

[Freakin' Fraud]

Please be warned: the following may consist some very idiotic and somewat stupid questions... YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED

Basically I've been stagnant at the basic level of small planted tank and now I would like to move on, if $$ permits that is.

So far the only filter I've had experience with are those small $10 hang-on filters (Jebao and Dolphin) and thats it. So i'm actually quite curious with all the hype surrounding the eden 501.

My question is: What is so special about canister filters that make them so ideal to planted tank over other cheaper modes of filters and make their high price justifiable?

Also, can some kind soul explain the working mechanism of the canister filter to me please? Esp where the messy network of pipes are concerned... Is there more than one inlet and one outlet or am i just dreaming?

Thanks a lot!!!

[joe]

Eden 501 is unique as it is one the smallest canister filter that you can find. And its cute

Canister filters are useful as they can hold a large amount of media and thereby contain lots of BB (beneficial bacteria) that keeps your water good and clean Basically the water is sucked in from one end of the canister and water is then pumped out from the other end. The water is hence forced to go through the media inside which usually removes debris and removes harmful toxics in water.

Hope this short explanation helped

[benny]

Hi Freakin' Fraud,

Here's some good reading for quite a while.

I'll come back with some comments too later.

Cheers,

[Goondoo]

Hi Freakin' Fraud,

Here's some good reading for quite a while.

I'll come back with some comments too later.

Cheers,

[benny]

Oops! It was a search function for the word "filter" in the equipment section.

Cheers,

[|squee|]

My question is: What is so special about canister filters that make them so ideal to planted tank over other cheaper modes of filters and make their high price justifiable?

Also, can some kind soul explain the working mechanism of the canister filter to me please? Esp where the messy network of pipes are concerned... Is there more than one inlet and one outlet or am i just dreaming?

They don't take up space in the tank, which is pleasing asthetically and helps in maintainence also (just disconnect the pipes and take the filter for cleaning).

Here's a good image of roughly how canistor filters work:
.

The water flows from the tank into the filter, where it goes down to the bottom and is drawn upwards by the filter pump through the different layers of filtration media, and goes back to the tank.

There're only two pipes: inlet and outlet. Things may look messy because of all the funny stuff attached to the pipes along the way, like external CO2 reactors, UV filtration units, or a chiller.

[evolim83]

Is there more than one inlet and one outlet or am i just dreaming?

See that most of your questions have been answered!

Just like to add that the price of china-made cannister filter is rather affordable as compared to their European counterparts! Quality-wise, I would say its reasonable.
I think NA is having an offer on Jebao filter. If I remember correctly its going for $29!

An example of cannister filter with more than 1 inlets would be the Eheim Pro 3

[Freakin' Fraud]

Thank you everyone for all the very insightful information! Just want to add that the schematic attached was .