wetwetwet said:
Just playing devils advocate here...
...but have you considered other types of filtration? - external canister or internal? - They're much easier to maintain and do a better job imho..
...as far as best powerheads go - sorry cann't help
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Ok, here's the thing- I know a lot of you highly regard those over-the-wall things so I won't malign them unduly but- I kept many tanks for many many years with underground filters with *excellent* success. I could never say that for the over the wall filter tanks I kept.
Example: I had a 100 gallon with two 400 GPH powerheads attached to two undergravel filter plates. After about 28 months, I decided to move that tank from one wall to an opposing one. I had never taken it apart, the water had always looked fine (never tested in those days) with my monthly 10% water change and a monthly run of my diatematious (sp) portable filter. Well, when I took that puppy apart, under the filter plates it was absolutely *pristine*. Not a single speck of junk to be seen. I'm a firm believer in undergravel filters. Over-the-walls don't inspire my confidence much at all. All this business of having to 1) BUY supplies for them, 2) change them out and destroy the bacteria puts me off. With an undergravel, you buy it once, not monthly, and it (for me) works perfectly.