Filter for New Tank

[rdd1952]

I just bought a new 75 gallon tank and stand but haven't bought any hardware yet. The tank is 48" long and from what I have read, it sounds like I will be best served to have two filters and heaters, one of each on each end. I think i also read that each filter should process half the water five times per hour. I assume that means they each need to process a lillte less than 200 gallon per hour each. If that is the case, please suggest good filters (I prefer HOB filters). Also, need suggestions for good heaters. The only low price fish stores near me are PetSmart and WalMart and I cringe to call WalMart a "live fish" store since they generally have more dead fish than live ones in their tanks but they do have filters, heaters, etc.

 

[KarlosFandango]

First post for a while so bare with me.

We have an 80 Uk gallon tank running two Fluval 404 filters and one Hydor 300w inline heater. The filtration is way above what's required but having the extra has meant that the tank is very stable. I seem to remember reading somewhere that you need one Watt of heating for every litre of water. Our tank is around 350 litres but the inline heater works brilliantly being perfectly adequate. It's also ideal for hiding away with the filters under the tank

 

[rdd1952]

From research I have done, I am strongly considering 2 Penguin 200 Bio Wheels. Will that be enough for my 75 gallon or do I need to go to a pair of 350s? That seems like overkill as the 200s will process the tank over 5 times an hour. This tank will be heavily planted with Angels, Blue Rams, Tetras, Corys and a couple AEs. I don't want to blow everything away and create too much current but I guess I could turn the 350s down.

 

[a1wonder]

Two Penguin BIO-Wheel 170 should be alright but you could also go with perhapes a Penguin BIO-Wheel 330 and a smaller aqua clear 300 as a back up (to cut down on the current on any aqua clear product or produce more filteration blook the out take with a large sponge filter this decrease the current going back into the tank)

 

[canarsie11]

go for the best emperor 400

 

[rdd1952]

Since this is a 48" tank, would I not be better off with dual filters, one on each end. Also, both the Emperor and hte Penguin are made by Marineland. What are the main differences in them? I can't seem to find much online except pricing.

 

[canarsie11]

U get what you pay for?

 

[rdd1952]

After doing a yahoo search, I found a link to another forum that several people trashed all the Marineland filters. Several people mentioned Aqua Clear filters. Have you had any experience with them?

 

[canarsie11]

First off you look hard enough you will find people bashing anything. In my experience Marineland products, especially the emperor series is the best hob

There is no way Aqua clear are better than emperors.

Bio wheels IMO are superior

 

[Discomafia]

yea, for mechanical filtration mostly... If you're looking for chemical, then Aquaclears are the way to go. You can even choose what media you want to use...

 

[vantgE]

Since noone has said anything a canister filter is vastly supior and it would be worthwhile to opt for one plus with angels it will disrupt your current less, chooseing by gph, shouldn't be considered when buying canister, get something above the 75 gallon minimum like a fluval 404 or rena xp3, smaller canisters tend not to be worth it too much work and money, If you want to use a canister hob filter combo, don't by below xp2 or fluval 304

 

[rdd1952]

Being from the US, I'm not very familiar with cannister filters. I know they are the norm most places outside the US. I will do some research on them. The biggest concern I have with the biowheels is I have read so many places that the wheels get stuck and are a pain to get going again. Too many decisions to make with a new tank. I probably won't buy another one....at least not till after I get this one up and running.

 

[chkltcow]

Yeah yeah, we've ALL said that before

I never found much info about the Emperor vs. Penguin products either. I bought a Penguin 330 for my 55g. Everything you hear is right... after a while the wheels just kinda stop working and you have to mess with them to get them going again. They also splash a lot which will cause CO2 to escape.. not as good for the plants. What you can do is get a Bio-Wheel and a canister filter, and run those together. Something like a Fluval 404 would probably do well. I have a 204 on that little tank that I have, and it's great.... good flow, absolutely silent operation, and not as messy as I was thinking it would be because the hoses get blocked when you take it apart to work on anything. With that, you can get the little "skimmer" attachment to cut down on surface film, too.

http/www.hagen.com/usa/aquatic/product.c...=01002150020101
+
http/www.hagen.com/usa/aquatic/product.c...=01002400020101

That should give you the advantage of the bio-wheel for biological filtration, plus the HUGE sponge and plenty of room for any carbon or other media you wanted to add inside of the Fluval canister.

 

[MyDogIsJealousOfMyFish]

For what it's worth I rum an Emporer 280 in a 39 gallon. I am very happy with it. I believe in all the emporer models ( my 280 has it) there is an add a slot to make up your own filter configuration in addition to the regular filters. I have never had my bio wheel stick and I would hazard a guess that any that do or because of improper or no maintenance.

 

[rdd1952]

First post for a while so bare with me.

We have an 80 Uk gallon tank running two Fluval 404 filters and one Hydor 300w inline heater. The filtration is way above what's required but having the extra has meant that the tank is very stable. I seem to remember reading somewhere that you need one Watt of heating for every litre of water. Our tank is around 350 litres but the inline heater works brilliantly being perfectly adequate. It's also ideal for hiding away with the filters under the tank

I have decided to try the Fluval filters and believe I will use the Hydor inline heaters too. Has anyone else had any experience with the Hydor heaters?