Which Filter??

[Rhino]

So I just picked up a 55g tank for $25. I am looking into filters right now trying to decide on which one to buy. I am wondering if two ac 50's would be fine? I am also looking at getting 2 Emperor 400's. Which do you think would be better and why? Both of them I have read nothing but good reviews on. Thanks for your input.

 

[James_in_MN]

Most on these boards prefer AquaClear, including me.

It would be wiser to get two AquaClear 70s or larger for that size of a tank instead of AquaClear 50s. I have an AC50 with another filter on my 20g tank.

 

[Rhino]

Why does everyone prefer them so much?

 

[James_in_MN]

1) They're very quiet.

2) The motors on the AC are the most reliable on the market.

3) They have a very large basket, allowing for alot more filter media, or ceramic rings, or seeding material from an established tank to speed up your fishless cycle.

 

[eco23]

I personally am a HUGE fan of canister filters. I have a Fluval 405 on my 46 gallon and I absolutely love it. It provides fantastic filtration, has 8 compartments to customize filtration media (like ceramic media which is the absolute best bio-media), and the thing is silent...I have to feel the output sometimes to make sure it's still running, lol. They're pricy in stores, but I picked mine up online for about $130. Other people also speak very highly of Eheim canister filters as well. Canister is what I will always recommend to anyone with a moderately sized tank.

 

[Hubert90]

I personally am a HUGE fan of canister filters. I have a Fluval 405 on my 46 gallon and I absolutely love it. It provides fantastic filtration, has 8 compartments to customize filtration media (like ceramic media which is the absolute best bio-media), and the thing is silent...I have to feel the output sometimes to make sure it's still running, lol. They're pricy in stores, but I picked mine up online for about $130. Other people also speak very highly of Eheim canister filters as well. Canister is what I will always recommend to anyone with a moderately sized tank.

+1 canisters are amazing! And I am a huge fan of them! Especially eheim I have a pro 2 2028 for my 39gallon and It's worth it! It's easy to maintenance too!! u can also use a spray bar that will help with surface agitation!

 

[rich311k]

I would use a Rena XP3 or an Eheim classic on that tank. If you want some extra flow and redundancy you could add an AC 70 as well.

 

[Deckape]

I agree with all these recommendations. I have an AC 50 and 70 on my 55 gal for all the reasons mentioned by James. If I had to do it again, would have gone with two 70s. Reason being is redundantancy. Either one alone will provide minium filtration for the tank. I like having the back up. But you find a good deal on a 405 like you did your tank then go for it. Good luck Ryan.

 

[mfdrookie516]

You won't go wrong with aquaclears, fluval, eheim, or rena filters IMO. I have at least one of each and have always been happy with them

 

[Rhino]

Thanks everyone for your help time to scower the web for the best deal.

 

[Hubert90]

Thanks everyone for your help time to scower the web for the best deal.

Amazon generally is the cheapest for canister filter

 

[Rhino]

Excellent, thanks for the info.

 

[Hubert90]

Excellent, thanks for the info.

No problem keep us updated!!

 

[Rhino]

Will do. Its going to be a long process. We are moving out in a month. So the tank will be in storage until we buy a house. So its killing me to know that it is just sitting there.

 

[Deckape]

Keep us updated and good luck with the move.

 

[Hubert90]

Will do. Its going to be a long process. We are moving out in a month. So the tank will be in storage until we buy a house. So its killing me to know that it is just sitting there.

Ya i know what u mean! I had a cycled 10 gallon just sitting there bare and empty acting as a qt tank. Finally decides to make it a plant community tank!! Hahahah but now I have a problem. I don't have a qt tank no more! Hahahahha

 

[James_in_MN]

I personally am a HUGE fan of canister filters. I have a Fluval 405 on my 46 gallon and I absolutely love it. It provides fantastic filtration, has 8 compartments to customize filtration media (like ceramic media which is the absolute best bio-media), and the thing is silent...I have to feel the output sometimes to make sure it's still running, lol. They're pricy in stores, but I picked mine up online for about $130. Other people also speak very highly of Eheim canister filters as well. Canister is what I will always recommend to anyone with a moderately sized tank.

+1

You have a good point; his tank is big enough that he should consider at least one canister filter with a HoB filter (AC preferred).

When he mentioned AC and Emperor, I was caught in a HoB loop. The fact that all of my tanks are 20g and less doesn't help either.

 

[Rhino]

Yeah I am stuck in that loop to. Mainly because I know I can get the ac 70 for $40 each with no tax and free shipping. Canisters are more expensive it seems.