Getting a 55 gallon and very confused

[fearlessfisch]

just a question to all since we're on the subject....

i vaguely remember ruling out canisters in my mind when i was thinking about a new filter, because of the greater possibility of making a mistake and flooding the house. (?)

my attention is really bad (i have exploded about 4 heaters by forgetting to unplug them before draining the tank), and someone told me that making a mistake and flooding the house is much more likely with a canister than a HOB. Am I remembering this right, or am I way off base?

 

[Menagerie]

Anything is possible! Placing the canister in a plastic tub will help if an o ring leaks. If you disconnect the tubing properly, you may have a few drips, but no major spills.

 

[apotocki]

Menagerie et al,

Do you have an opinion on a 404 vs. a Magnum 350 w/a biowheel 60 vs. an Eheim ECCOComfort 2236

Also, I really wanted to get away with having only (1) filter unit. Will any of these (3) suffice?

WHY DOES THIS HAVE TO BE SOOOOOOO HARD!?!?!?!

Alan

 

[Wizzard~Of~Ozz]

I would recommend the 404 or eheim, either will filter that tank (the 404 has a higher rating tho), from what I've heard the Magnum 350's are more prone to developing leaks at the seals. the other 2 are built very well.

 

[fearlessfisch]

Thanks, Menagerie. I thought I remembered that. Someday I will get brave and get a huge tank and try the canisters.

Wizzard of Ozz, how do your daughters like living in a 10 gal. freshwater aquarium? You must have to change the water really frequently for that kind of bioload!

 

[Wizzard~Of~Ozz]

hahaha, guess I should fix that

10Gal FW Daughters

 

[fearlessfisch]

Well, I imagine a glass aquarium makes it easy to keep an eye on them.

 

[Wizzard~Of~Ozz]

yup, and I always know where she is (not much room for a ten year old in a ten gal)

 

[Menagerie]

Do you have an opinion on a 404 vs. a Magnum 350 w/a biowheel 60 vs. an Eheim ECCOComfort 2236

Personally, if I could get rid of all the HOBs in the house I would, but a canister on a 5 gal betta tank would be a bit much. There is less evaporation, less noise, you can go longer between cleanings (okay, I'm lazy) and put in the media you want. I agree with the Wizzard, the 404 or eheim will be fine.

 

[apotocki]

Ok.....help me understand why the Eheim with a rating of only 185GPH would be enough. I also looked at an Eheim 2215 which is rated to 92g but the GPH is only 164????? I know the Fluvall 404 is 350 GPH and that seems more in-line with the fact that I thought the GPH should be 5-6x that tank size. Hmmmm.....

 

[Menagerie]

The ratings are not regulated. There is no way of knowing if the gph was taken with the filter full of media or empty. As a general rule, you want to see a rating of 5-6x the gph. The 404 is rated for a 100 gal tank