Filter recommendations

[Mustang5L5]

I currently run two over-the-side type filters on my 38gal...a Whisper 30 and some litle crappy Aqua-tech 20. The 30 can handle the tank alone, but i run the little one anyway. My tank is also moderately planted so that helps out too.

I'm setting up a little divided 2-3 gallon tank for a male and female betta. Instead of buying a new filter for this little tank, i'm gonna take the little filter off my main tank and use that as it is small enough but will flow enough to clean this tank.

So what is a good filter for my 38gal? I need another over-the-side type filter. I plan on keeping the Whisper filter on there as a secondary.

 

[jams.alaskan]

I'm interested in the feedback you'll get - I'm nearly in the same boat with my 38.

ALASKA

 

[drobbins27]

Penguin 170 with Bio-wheel

 

[OscarCichlid]

AquaClear 200 will work great.

 

[Bol]

Either of those two will do a good job for you, I think.

With the Whisper being there (edit: providing an additional biofilter bed), I'd probably lean towards the AC 200, to get more filter media area.

On the other hand, from my experience with Penguins (170 and 330) and AquaClears (300 and 500), the Penguin would probably be a whole lot quieter

 

[Mustang5L5]

On the other hand, from my experience with Penguins (170 and 330) and AquaClears (300 and 500), the Penguin would probably be a whole lot quieter

Well, quietness doesn't really matter to me. I have the apartment all to myself and the aquarium is in the living room. Any time anyone is in there the TV is on or something so the sound gets drowned out

 

[Bol]

/nod.

I just mentioned it because noise is a factor for some people -- especially if the tank's going in a bedroom.

 

[OscarCichlid]

i have had no problem with noise. I have 3 AC filters in a small bedroom. (1 AC Mini, 1 AC 150 and 1 AC 300) and they are all silent. All i did was put something on the cover to weigh it down and stop it from vibrating and that stops the noise. I also have in that room an Emperor 400, and a Penguin Bio-Wheel 330 and in my experience they are both louder than the AC filter.

 

[Bol]

Who knows, maybe I just got exceptionally good Penguins, or bad ACs.

I started with a Penguin, but wanted to try an AC, for the increased media area. Bought one, set it up, and was shocked (after what I had read) at the noise it made. Not what I'd call "loud", per se, but compared to the Penguin it was "deafening". I tried three different ACs (2 500s, and 1 300), with the same results. The motor just "hums" more. Plus there's that "cover rattle" thing, too.

 

[modernhamlet]

My Penguin 170 rocks the Casbah!

(feeling SO helpful today...)

 

[Adrinal]

Emp 400

1) seperate chambers
2) better flow


There is no reason for the cost difference to go with the smaller units of GPH.

EVEN if you have animals that specifically like a lower flow you can dither the output with a hanging plant, rock wall or add nice places where the flow goes around. I had a penguin 170 and a eheim 2229 in a 10g and the flow was NOT too much.

You are saving nothing by getting a smaller filter in the begining.

 

[Adrinal]

Good news, I wanted an Emp but couldn't fit it in the space it needs to go. I sadly ordered the Penguin 330, but guess what. The 330 also has 2 chambers! where as the 170 does not.

Woo hoo.

 

[Pescado Guy]

Man, you need to get the penguin 330. It's a Beast!! You might as well pay 25 bucks for a filter that will clean your aquarium as well as that. The other filters mentioned would work okay, but a more powerful filter never hurts. Whatever you do, I would get one with a bio-wheel. The bio-wheels eliminate ammonia and nitrite immediatly, reducing fish stress and loss.

Kevin

 

[Pescado Guy]

whoa! You said that you ordered the penguin 330 while I was typing my reply!! Good choice! And yes it does have a lot of room for aditional media.

Kevin

 

[ubasst]

i got a eheim 2213 in my 20 gallon tank and the water is crystal clear the filter is so quite u dont know its even there i paid 80 for at at dr fosters and smiths website its expensive but its worth it