Filter Upgrade

[kmayhew01]

I have an Aqua Clear 300 Power Filter on my 20 gallon planted tank. I was kind of thinking about upgrading to something else and wondered what anyone's suggestion would be. I was sort of siding with a Bio-Wheel type filter or a small canister.... Any ideas?

 

[gmac]

Not sure if it's what you're looking for but I use the Fluval 3+ Underwater filter on my 126L tank and it's been perfect, not a single issue with it yet. If I was to get another tank I'd get another one, I think very highly of them.

 

[tetrin]

AC300 is actually a lot of filtration for a 20g (don't know if its a high or long, but either way) tank. in a planted tank, with larger hob's there's a risk of splashing causing a lot of co2 to outgas. but if its a low light tank, it doesn't hurt that much.
but overall, i'd say your filtration is pretty good. i see no point in changing it.

 

[greenmaji]

IMO and IME the aquaclear is hard to beat for performance, reliability and versatility.. you have a good filter...

 

[severum mama]

You do have a good filter. I use both Aquaclears and Emperors on all my tanks, and I would say that switching to a Biowheel filter like an Emperor would not really be an upgrade. A canister, however, would. Lots of folks here like Fluvals, Rena Filstars, and of course Eheims.

 

[Jchillin]

I have to concur...the bio-wheels are not good for planted tank for the same reason Tetrin mentions about the splashing of the AC300. As Severum states, another HOB is not really an upgrade but a canister is.

Since you have a really good filter, no reason to change it.

 

[greenmaji]

if you keep your water level up above the output of your aquaclear a canister will not make much of a difference in a planted tank.. I say keep your filter.