Aquarium filter

[Kamdavid]

Is a marine land Penguin 350 bio wheel power filter too strong for a 20 gallon tank ?

Says for 50-75 gallons. 350 gallons per hour

 

[Byron]

Yes, though it depends upon the intended fish. The filter is the general source of water current, and this does affect fish. If you were to have quiet water fish, which would be more usual in small tanks (like a 20g), this much current will wear them out and lead to stress and other problems. If you had a tank of fish like Hillstream Loaches which must have strong currents, this might be fine. There are very few strong-current fish suited to a 20g. A basic sponge filter might be all you need, or an internal small filter like the Fluval Quiet Flow. Knowing the intend fish will help decide this.

 

[Fishmanic]

I believe so. You might go with a penguin 150.

 

[Kamdavid]

Well if I get my 37 gallon I’d leave my mollies in the 20. But I have two angels and three mollies and one guppy and a Pleco in the 20 currently.

I just don’t like the 20 g filter for my aquarium. Half the tank doesn’t seem to get the best water flow. But I could be wrong.

can you suggest a good one for my 20 ?

 

[Fishmanic]

What I do in my tanks is use a Hang on back filter on one side of the tank and a sponge filter on the other end. That was water flow is more even and if one filter fails , the other filter can prevent an ammonia spike.

 

[Kamdavid]

I believe so. You might go with a penguin 150.

150 is out of stock. But they have the 200 .. 30 to 50. Still too strong ?

 

[Fishmanic]

You might get an aquaclear 30

 

[AbbeysDad]

I would use either a large sponge filter or an Aquaclear 70 set to low flow/maximum re-filtration. (The AC70 offers the greater media capacity.) I have an AC50 but don't like it as well and I feel that an AC30 is too small for a 20g.

 

[Kamdavid]

I would use either a large sponge filter or an Aquaclear 70 set to low flow/maximum re-filtration. (The AC70 offers the greater media capacity.) I have an AC50 but don't like it as well and I feel that an AC30 is too small for a 20g.

Yohh uh have a 20 g?

 

[Fishmanic]

I have an aquaclear 50 and a sponge filter on my 35 gallon tall hex. I replaced the carbon with another sponge and add a layer of floss. . That setup would be fine on a 20 gallon in my opinion. The aquaclear 30 may well a bit too small.

 

[Carolyn N]

I just set up a 20 gal little over a month ago. All my equip. is used. Bought a 5 gal set up and am using the HOB filter that came with the 5. It is a Top Fin PF-S. Small filter. I replaced the filter cartridge with a cut to size sponge filter and placed a round sponge filter on the uptake tube. This filter flow is also adjustable, that comes in handy. At the other end of the tank I put a Sponge filter. The water is crystal clear. I am really happy with the setup. If the water flow is too much, I can reduce it.

 

[Kamdavid]

The water flow from my current filter seems ok. I guess I am just used to having a bigger filter for a tank.

 

[Kamdavid]

So the penguin 150 (up to 30 g tank) will be suitable for this 20 gallon? Asking before I purchase lol

 

[Fishmanic]

Yes...but I would also buy a small sponge filter (works off an air pump) to put on the other end of the tank. In the penguin, you should consider replacing the cartridge with sponge media as you will save cost of cartriges. Works for me with my penguin 200 in my 29 gallon tank.

 

[AbbeysDad]

I'm just not a fan of cartridge HOB filters as unless you modify, you're stuck buying cartridges....and over time, it adds up! (It's like getting the razor for free, but the blades are expensive. Or the inexpensive printer with high priced ink cartridges. Marketing genius as there's serious money in consumables).
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That's why I like the Aquaclear. It uses sponges that last forever and you have space to use any bio-media you choose.
I currently have 3 Aquaclear 70's and love them. I put an AC50 on a 29g but didn't really like the media capacity and it overflowed on me twice even though I was careful with the leveling. In any case, I quite like the AC70's. I have them all completely filled with bio-sponge material and use coarse pre-filters on the lift tubes. So I guess they are HOB sponge filters.
With an Aquaclear 70 with sponges, set on low flow/max re-filtration, you wouldn't need any other filtration. Have a power failure or some filter issue, you just take the media basket out and place it right in the tank and use a battery operated air pump to add O2, circulate water. and you're golden.