55(gal) now but will upgrade soon...ok that being said and and some what knowing this subject has been discussed....I want the best for the money. Have emporer 400 (new) with a tetera (used) over the back now. Would like to back up the emporer.

FX5 i have herd nothing but good things

I would go Fluval... But this is all opinion as everyone has there favorites...

Here is a GREAT canister, CHEAP! I have 3 of these and an FX5 and these are damn near as good as the FX5!

cgi.ebay.com/4-STAGE-EXTERNAL-CANISTER-A...;hash=item45f3b4328e

value for money i would go with fluval. Eheim have always stood out as out standing build quality but a little high on price. both are very good filters no matter what one you go for in the range. I don't personally think you get much more for your money buying Eteim. for a 55G I would go with fluval 405, or a pair of 305's. of cause the 305 is just large enough by itself and you could add another a little later. Fx5 is great but a little large to fit under most 55g tanks. if you are ever thinking of upgrading your tank, you may want to go for the fx5?

Gonna wait on the fx5 but thinking the fulval405 but that four stage on ebay looks inviteing.

I have the same canister filter that Nicky-sue posted a link too. It has worked great for me. It has a large water capacity and the amount of flow has stayed strong for several months. For the price, you can't go wrong with these sunsun filters. You could buy a couple of them for the price of the name brand filters. just my 2 cents. i am sure the x5 is amazing too.

I would have to say Eheim for me, the 2 canisters I own (2080 pro3 and 2217 Classic) have performed (and still are) flawlessly.

I have yet to hear of any common problems associated with their canister filters but a number of Fluval owners have experienced what they describe as FRS which stands for Fluval Restart Syndrome. You basically have FRS when you turn it off, then on but it will not re-start...

However I wont knock another brand until I have tried them, I just don't have a reason to go with another brand as Im very chuffed with my Eheims.

All I can say is go for more filtration than what you need in terms of capacity that way you upgrade the tank and use the same filter later on.

Also from my experience with Chinese eBay filters I can safely say I will never hand over my cash for one ever again, no matter how cheap it may seem. Hope this helps.

I have never had this FRS issue and I have 3 fluval externals.
So long as you close the aquastop valves before you power down the filter the water stays in the pipes....then you set it all back up and open the aquastop valves and the syphon is still there and fills the filter back to the top...power on and we have take off!!

All three filters flawless for years!

got no expierience with the fluval ,but am running an Eheim on my brackish puffertank, and i'm amazed by the constant and heavy flow in that filter.

Mind you i placed the filter next to the tank at tanklevel and cut the tubings real short.

could you run a pair of canister in tandom?

yeah you definitely can I run two fluval 405s on my Oscar tank its perfection

How about this filter for nitrate aquaripure? any one useing it