What brand of canister filter?
 

I've been reading that a canister filter would be better for my planted tank than my Penguin 200. What's a good canister filter that won't cost me a ton? I don't mind searching ebay - I actually found a new Fluval 304 for $49 buy it now. Is it a good filter? Any other suggestions?

The Fluval is ok, I had one blow up on me though. I like eheim better.

Magnums get my vote. Inexpensive when compared to the others and you have more options should you wish to add them.

I have 3 405's and 1 205 I have had no bad luck with any of them

I'd stay away from Fluval at all costs. I had several valves break, and the canister itself split. It was only moved come cleaning time, and never dropped hit or struck. The Magnum filters are very good filters as herefishy said.

I think it's the 04 series that had trouble. I had all my problems with the 04 (2 104's, 5 304's and 1 404.) All of mine were sold accept for one 104 (damaged) that I never use. I haven't looked at the 05 series yet, so they may be better.

For performance, silence, and ease of priming and maintenance, I prefer the eheim classic canisters. However, they can be pricey. I have an eheim wet dry canister too, and that is surprisingly quiet. Not anywhere near as easy to service as the classic canisters, though. I have a Magnum 350 that works really well, but makes a certain amount of rattling noise. This may be due to missing gaskets, though (I have replacements for the next time I clean it) or it may be due to the bio-media I put in the carbon chamber rattling. I also am running a rena XP3, but I haven't had it long enough to evaluate it yet.