Great Quality for The Money: Hydor Professional External Canister Filter

When you have a large aquarium, it is extremely important to have a good grasp on water filtration. After all, with that much water, bad things can quickly get out of hand. If you own a large tank, then most experts will tell you that having a canister fish tank filter is the way to go.

The Hydor Professional External Canister Filter has all of the features that you would expect in a professional quality filtration system, but it is easy enough for amateurs to use and is also very affordable.

Hydor Professional External Canister Filter Specifications

The Hydor Professional External Canister Filters range from the 150 model for 20-30 Gallon tanks to the 600 model suitable for 90-150 Gallon tanks.

Let’s look at the 600 model which weighs approximately 18 pounds and measures 11” x 9” x 24”. It is designed for tanks between 90 and 150 gallons, though as noted above this manufacturer also makes very similar canister filters for aquariums of smaller sizes. This product comes with everything that you need including media, tubes, and all of the various attachments necessary to get it up and running.

 

This filter has a positive star rating on Amazon and is one of the most popular professional grade canister filters available.

What Are the Benefits?

The Hydor Professional External Canister Fish Tank Filter has a number of features that certainly back up its claim of being a “professional”canister filter. First of all, even though this filter is capable of processing between 240 gallons and 280 gallons of water per hour, it is still very quiet. Not all canister filters have a reputation for being quiet, but this one certainly does.

Because this filter is capable of such a high flow rate, your water will be cleaner than with another type of filter. As a result, your fish will be healthier, and your water will look and smell cleaner, too.

Another benefit of the Hydor Professional External Canister Filter is that the tank is translucent. Not all canister filters have this feature in spite of the fact that it is pretty important. By being able to see just how much water is going through the filter and the state of your media, you will better be able to determine if and when your filter needs to be cleaned.

One aspect of installing or reconnecting a canister filter that many aquarium owners dread is the act of priming. Priming is the act of drawing water into the filter so that it can then begin a steady flow. Filters or pumps that are not self priming often require the owner to suck one end of the tube in order to bring water into the system and that is not something that you would generally want to do with water that has been in an aquarium. It’s simply not healthy. The Hydor Professional External Canister Filter has a self priming system which prevents the need for you to prime it.

If you have ever had to clean a canister filter in the past, then you know that not only can it be quite complicated, but it can also be quite messy. In many cases, simply the act of opening the filter can be a real hassle. However, the Hydor Professional External Canister Filter has a built-in lock system that enables you to shut off the flow of water to the filter immediately and then open the filter for cleaning and maintenance.

When you open this canister filter, you will see three different layers or trays of media. These layers include one for chemical media, one for biological media, and one for mechanical media. Each of these layers provide a particular role in keeping your water clean.

The benefits of canister filters are discussed in our article here

Are There Any Drawbacks to the Hydor Professional External Canister Filter?

According to most users, there do not appear to be many drawbacks with this filter, other than the fact that it is quite large. However, any tank over 90 gallons is going to require a pretty large and powerful filtration system.

Many canister filters have a reputation for leaks, particularly when installing or removing the tubing. With a little care in practice, you should find that it is possible to disconnect the system and clean the media with little or no leakage.

Because this is a large piece of equipment, you may need a little extra time in order to install it properly. However, the product comes with full instructions on installation and there are also a number of online videos that will help you even further.

What Do the Reviews Say?

According to online reviews, this particular canister filter is very easy to maintain. Because of the extremely strong flow rate, it is also able to absorb more waste from the water, leading to cleaner and clearer water.

Another aspect of this filter that a lot of people appreciate is the fact that even though it is very powerful, it is also very quiet. Having a filtration system that is able to run without a lot of noise or vibration is essential to having both a happy household and a happy fish tank.

Where Can You Buy This Filter?

It can be difficult to find the Hydor Professional External Canister Filter in pet stores simply because it may be more than most average consumers would need.  You can buy this product online for approximately $200 and that price includes everything that you will need to get it up and running.

Is This the Best Filter For Your Needs?

The Hydor Professional External Canister Filter is certainly not going to be the first filter for newcomers to aquarium ownership simply because of its size, power, and cost. However, if you have a large tank and the idea of a high-capacity canister filter is important to you, then this should certainly be your first choice.

The high level of filtration that you will get with this filter certainly offsets the cost, and you will simply see the difference in the clarity and lack of odor, not to mention the fact that your fish should be healthier and happier than ever before.

 

Other canister filters have been reviewed in our overview on canisters – follow this link here.