r/nanotank • u/chainsawcholo • Sep 09 '24
Tru Nano Canister Filter Discussion
https://minicompletetank.net/products/tru-m-size-nano-pvc-canister-filter-for-mini-aquarium-nano-tank-shallow-tank-partly-hand-made.htmlHi all. Just got a new 7 Gallon cube and for filtration I thought I would try this nano canister filter. Anyone have any experience using one?
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u/MheTandalorian Sep 09 '24
That looks amazing. I saw a YouTube video where someone made one out of a large pill container and was considering doing something similar but for around 100 dollars I'd have a small all in one system. I saw a vevor one that I liked too here. https://m.vevor.com/aquarium-filtration-c_12592/vevor-aquarium-filter-172gph-canister-filter-30-gallon-ultra-quiet-internal-aquarium-filter-with-uv-protection-submersible-power-filter-with-multiple-function-for-fish-tanks-8w-p_010805382694?adp=gmc&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_id=21501894637&ad_group=165871169195&ad_id=706740812054&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwufq2BhAmEiwAnZqw8gnMy_oW6DIQj4To7sedeGgOV5OorNIFNQJpEFofotsQxbLkUYdJBBoCgCEQAvD_BwE[here.](https://m.vevor.com/aquarium-filtration-c_12592/vevor-aquarium-filter-172gph-canister-filter-30-gallon-ultra-quiet-internal-aquarium-filter-with-uv-protection-submersible-power-filter-with-multiple-function-for-fish-tanks-8w-p_010805382694?adp=gmc&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_id=21501894637&ad_group=165871169195&ad_id=706740812054&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwufq2BhAmEiwAnZqw8gnMy_oW6DIQj4To7sedeGgOV5OorNIFNQJpEFofotsQxbLkUYdJBBoCgCEQAvD_BwE)
Did you purchase already or are asking for second opinions? I'd love to see how it works for you
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u/chainsawcholo Sep 10 '24
I actually ordered one and it’s on the way already! Setting it up this weekend and will update you.
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u/FishNerd09 Sep 12 '24
With a strong enough pump, I don't see why you couldn't make one out of an extra large (very heavily cleaned) peanut butter jar. LOL. You could even cover it in aquarium fan-boy stickers.
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Sep 10 '24
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u/JMCraig Sep 10 '24
I have the 6 oz UNS Blitz on one of my tanks (havent tried the 32 Oz) and calling it an "upgrade" is kinda loaded, IMO. Yes, its a gorgeous little filter and everything you touch feels super "premium". The build quality is fantastic, as your expect on a 100$+ filter. But using standard 1/16 inch airline tubing for a filter is just a total pain. I have to take apart the filter and clean it out once a week or it slows to a trickle (its also something like 15 gph max). I'm running it on a 2cm cube, so <2 gal of water, and no fish ofc, so its basically fine, but sometimes I wish i saved $150 and 30 min a week and got a hang on back filter.
The 32 Oz Blitz probably solves some of these issues by virtue of using what i believe is 3/8 in tubing and having a beefier pump, but at that point youre basically looking at the same deal as the Tru filter, with all the same minor annoyances and the upside of a fancier look.
After playing with a lot of these little filters, my main takeaway is that you should really only do a nano canister if you're buying it as a design statement, both in terms of the look of the canister itself (The UNS/Landen ones are undeniably slick) and the glassware. If you value convenience, just get a standard backpack filter, and if you have the space and want to use lily pipes, get a conventional small canister like a Fluval 107, step down the hose sizes, add a ball valve to control flow, tuck it in the cabinet and forget it. Nano canisters are, bar none, the most hassle ive had to deal with across all different types.
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u/SweetNPowerChicken Oct 23 '24
This is exactly what I've been searching for. Trying to decide on a canister for my UNS 3N, but seems I'm better off getting another Oase thermo 100 or eheim 150. Otherwise I could scrap canister entirely and get a Biostyle 20 or something compact (small shrimp tank). So many choices.
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u/JMCraig Oct 24 '24
Oh hey, saw you in the other thread. I'm still a fan of nano cnisters, especially on a really premium looking system like yours, but i'd 100% recommend the Tru over the Blitz, since 9mm tubing is a hell of a lot better than 16th inch, mainly. Its much more of a "real" filter. I have Oase Filtosmart Thermo 100s on a couple nano tanks, but for a 3N i do think it'd be overkill. I swapped my Tru off my 5T and replaced it with a Thermo 100, but for something 3/5ths that size, the Tru would be perfect!
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u/SweetNPowerChicken Nov 16 '24
Awesome to hear this as I just got a TRU for my 3N, and have a Filto 100 on my 45u that I was tempted to swap over. Considering the 3N will just be a shrimp take, I barely needed a filter as it is, but will be nice for CO2 circulation.
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u/JMCraig Nov 16 '24
Sounds like a perfect setup. having a lot of directed flow, or even just water turnover (if you use a baffle or spin pipe or something) is so important. A good, big filter makes your life a lot easier!
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u/SweetNPowerChicken Nov 20 '24
Seems mine is purging air a ton. Did you need to disconnect the threaded fittings and add plumbers tape?
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u/JMCraig Nov 20 '24 edited Nov 20 '24
I had this issue at first. The stock fittings are just baaaarely under 10 mm, so using 10mm hoses and in/outlets, even the provided ones, may end up in the filter sucking air a little bit. This is my main gripe with the filter, and its super annoying until yo figure out whats going on.
What I did was get 9mm ID silicone tubing to make up the difference. For what it's worth, I've ended up migrating all my filters over to slightly-undersized silicone tubing bc it makes attaching/detaching much easier than stiff normal tubing. Sometimes I'll also add a small ziptie where the hose goes over the fitting on the filter, but if you undersize the ID by a mm or two, its rarely needed.
Edit - sorry, forgot I posted most of this info earlier in the thread
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u/SweetNPowerChicken Nov 20 '24
Doing some testing and seems ike it's pulling some air from the CO2 bung. Shame it isn't threaded, but need to find a better cap than the little one they provide.
That says, even plugging that inlet tightly and slightly shaking the filter still causes air to purge.
Ongoing mystery, but I'll keep at it before connecting with their customer service.
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u/JMCraig Nov 20 '24
Ah, word, I never tried the ones with CO2 built in; I just used an inline diffuser. There def may be an issue with the fitting there too.
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u/TheSpirit0fFire 29d ago
its actually pulling air from the pump connector inlet thing, same issue with mine
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u/ReyRey5280 Sep 09 '24
I just use a generic Chinese sun sun canister I got for $30 on eBay. 1 for my 2.5 gallon and one for my 5.5g long. They’ve been proper workhorses and offer better flow (106 gallons per hour), filter media capacity, and overall water volume to my tanks. The filters are rated for 30 gallons but I use lily spin outs. I use a cheap mini submersible pump to purge air or if I need to kickstart them. That unit definitely looks better and the included lily pipes is nice, but with my setups being high (which needs more flow) and the canisters out of view I couldn’t justify the cost, plus I stock heavy so I like having the buffer of more bio filter and water.
That being said I woulda probably bought those first if I was able to find them when I was buying. I love all things nano with my tanks lol, but honestly loving my cheapos now.
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u/JMCraig Sep 10 '24
I have one of these and its been a mixed bag. The build quality of the canister itself is really solid, but the hose it came with is total junk, and the fittings and intake/outlet are just slightly smaller than standard 10mm ID, so I had to fiddle a bit with 9mm ID silicone tubing and zip ties.
Also, nano canisters are super fun to tinker with and let you run classy lily pipes like on a bigger tank, but the size and smaller diameter hoses mean it requires a ton of maintenance and doesnt always have the lift to go where you need it to. manageable ofc, but a lot more finicky than a fullsize canister. and glassware at that scale is pretty fragile (don't ask how many intakes ive broken please).
So while I think this is a really neat little device and like supporting an independent company in the hobby, I'd only recommend this or any other nano canister if you really dig the look and enjoy tinkering. Otherwise just get a traditional backpack filter like an Aquaclear or Azoo Mignon and save yourself a lot of tinkering.