Which Hob Filter Is Better?

[smmetz]

I am looking at 2 55 gallon kits from the brand "All-Glass Aquarium". My lfs sells them. One comes with the whisper 60 filter, the other with the Aquaclear 70. Anyone have a preference?

I thought most people prefer the Aquaclear line over whisper. The lfs owner was talking up whisper brand though. The advantages of the whisper seem to be:

1. two filter media cartridges mean you can alternate chaning them
2. tank can be closer to wall, since it is not as deep, front to back
3. easier to get to impeller if it gets stuck


The Aquaclear as these advantages:
1. more flexible with what filter material you can put in
2. seems to hold more filter material than the whisper 60


What do you all recommend, from these 2 choices. If you feel strongly for a third choice, mention that too. I can always just get the kit and get a totally different filter in the future.

 

[Tolak]

I have mostly ac filters, I do have a few odd others including a whisper. The ac's blow it away.

The ac 70 can hold 2 sponges, meaning you only have to change one at at time. This negates the partial media advantage. I have an ac 200, which is now called a 50, with a sponge that is at least 4 years old, perhaps 6. You only need to rinse it, not replace it.

If you need that extra couple of inches, you need a bigger room. I have 12 tanks crammed into a 7' by 15' room, along with a bed, small set of shelfs & computer desk. I'll do without a couple of inches.

I have fat fingers, I'm not a small guy, I have trouble reaching most any impeller. A small skewer works wonders, many times I'll just grab a pen.

The ac's do have the media flexability, as well as quantity advantage. Try this; put both filters on a tank, with the media suggested. Put as many extensions on the filter as you can to reach the bottom. Start them up, leave them running & start draining the tank. See which chokes first.

Depending on how you stock the tank, I like having a hob with a canister for larger tanks. 2 filters work great, set one up for mechanical, and one for bio filtration.