What Filter For Planted Tank?

[Mza36]

i just got a us 60 gallon tank thats been stashed in my grandpas office forever. basically its going to need a new light system as the hood wont supply the wattage i feel the tank needs. it can take a 40w bulb, 32 inches long (the tank is 4 feet long). i havent decided what plants to keep in the tank yet so lighting isnt my issue yet, its filtration.

inside the tank was a "second nature" brand filter called the whisperer. its just takes two bio bags with carbon. however i read somewhere that the carbon will remove(filter) nutrients from my tank so i think i need a new one for sure. i want to keep plants of some sort in the tank and since i am setting up a larger tank i think its time to upgrade my filtration.

im going to my lfs this week and was going to ask them, but id rather get some of your guys input please!

thanks

 

[fatheadminnow]

An AquaClear makes a good line-up of filters.

You can also look into canister filters.

-FHM

 

[BigIan]

ehiem. are pricey but goo00000ooood!
they tend not to get to noisey and are easy to prime and maintain.

and I`ve always had good flow round the tank so getting somthing with a good 4 or 5 times turnover,

 

[baron von bubba]

i just got a us 60 gallon tank thats been stashed in my grandpas office forever. basically its going to need a new light system as the hood wont supply the wattage i feel the tank needs. it can take a 40w bulb, 32 inches long (the tank is 4 feet long). i havent decided what plants to keep in the tank yet so lighting isnt my issue yet, its filtration.

inside the tank was a "second nature" brand filter called the whisperer. its just takes two bio bags with carbon. however i read somewhere that the carbon will remove(filter) nutrients from my tank so i think i need a new one for sure. i want to keep plants of some sort in the tank and since i am setting up a larger tank i think its time to upgrade my filtration.

im going to my lfs this week and was going to ask them, but id rather get some of your guys input please!

thanks

i'd get a good external filter, if you plan to go "high tech" you will want to aiming for 10 times turn over, this seems to be the recommended turnover.
altho this dosnt all have to come from filters, a lot of ppl use a power head to add extra flow.