FIlter for my 50 gal? - Aquarium Advice

Big Ben · 05-11-2006, 06:12 PM

Well im setting everything up this weekend on my new used aquarium, I'm starting my first cichlid tank and i think im going with africans. THe dimensions are a little odd as it was customed made, it's 36 long by 24 deep by 12 high. I hear canisters are the best filter quality but I don't know if i can afford one right now. I'm interested in internal filters but I don't have a clue about what kind of surface movement they create if any. I'm also cool with going with a hang on filter as long as it gets the job done well. Any info about your experience with any type of filter would be really appreciated, Ben.

richiestang_78 · 05-11-2006, 06:27 PM

Well you can either go with a Hagen AquaClear or if you dont mind the sound of tricling water can go with a Marineland Emperor filter. I have a AQ and it does a great job of filtering. With both you have a choice of what media you choose to use so thats always a plus.

severum mama · 05-11-2006, 06:35 PM

I'd probably go with the Aquaclear 110 (500 gph) or the Emperor 400 (400 gph) if you can't afford a canister. African cichlids are messy fish so shoot for about 10x per hour turnover. You can always upgrade to a canister later when you have more money. I would suggest ordering online, as you will save a lot of money that way.

Thebluyak · 05-11-2006, 08:05 PM

the XP3 is only bout 104 shipped from big als if they still have them on sale, thats what i got for my 55 gallon discus tank

SCFatz · 05-11-2006, 09:56 PM

Quote:

the XP3 is only bout 104 shipped from big als if they still have them on sale, thats what i got for my 55 gallon discus tank

Thats what I payed at petsmart after printing the page off the web site.( I believe it was 189 other wise) Same price but without the wait if that helps.

Big Ben · 05-13-2006, 03:04 AM

yeah i went with the emperor 400, I hear good things about the biowheel and the multi stage filterting in the emperor 400, can't really afford the canisters right now. The turnover rate seems to be a little high for my 50 gal, but that can only help it right?

Thebluyak · 05-13-2006, 12:12 PM

yeah you cant have to much filtration, but the Biowheel lets CO2 escape and that can hurt if you are planted, also the bio wheels need be checked up on to make sure they dont stop spinning

severum mama · 05-13-2006, 04:50 PM

Trust me, if you going to keep Africans, the flow rate of the Emperor 400 won't be overkill. You'll be fine. I use an Emperor 400 and an Emperor 280 on my 55 gallon SA tank.

05-11-2006, 06:12 PM	#1
Big Ben Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 245 Images: 7	FIlter for my 50 gal? Well im setting everything up this weekend on my new used aquarium, I'm starting my first cichlid tank and i think im going with africans. THe dimensions are a little odd as it was customed made, it's 36 long by 24 deep by 12 high. I hear canisters are the best filter quality but I don't know if i can afford one right now. I'm interested in internal filters but I don't have a clue about what kind of surface movement they create if any. I'm also cool with going with a hang on filter as long as it gets the job done well. Any info about your experience with any type of filter would be really appreciated, Ben.

05-11-2006, 06:35 PM	#3
severum mama Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 2,771 Images: 22	I'd probably go with the Aquaclear 110 (500 gph) or the Emperor 400 (400 gph) if you can't afford a canister. African cichlids are messy fish so shoot for about 10x per hour turnover. You can always upgrade to a canister later when you have more money. I would suggest ordering online, as you will save a lot of money that way. __________________ WE CAN STAGE A RUNAWAY GOLF CART MARATHON 5 gallon, 45 gallon, and 55 gallon planted 75 gallon SA/CA cichlids 8 gallon Oceanic BioCube nano reef

05-13-2006, 03:04 AM	#6
Big Ben Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 245 Images: 7	yeah i went with the emperor 400, I hear good things about the biowheel and the multi stage filterting in the emperor 400, can't really afford the canisters right now. The turnover rate seems to be a little high for my 50 gal, but that can only help it right? __________________ February 2006: 10 gallon. June 2006: 48 gallon. April 2007: 20 gallon. April 2008 150 gallon planning in process. When I move out it's going to be scary

05-13-2006, 04:50 PM	#8
severum mama Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 2,771 Images: 22	Trust me, if you going to keep Africans, the flow rate of the Emperor 400 won't be overkill. You'll be fine. I use an Emperor 400 and an Emperor 280 on my 55 gallon SA tank. __________________ WE CAN STAGE A RUNAWAY GOLF CART MARATHON 5 gallon, 45 gallon, and 55 gallon planted 75 gallon SA/CA cichlids 8 gallon Oceanic BioCube nano reef

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05-11-2006, 06:27 PM	#2
richiestang_78 Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 405	Well you can either go with a Hagen AquaClear or if you dont mind the sound of tricling water can go with a Marineland Emperor filter. I have a AQ and it does a great job of filtering. With both you have a choice of what media you choose to use so thats always a plus.

05-11-2006, 08:05 PM	#4
Thebluyak Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: where the wild things are (NC) Posts: 378	the XP3 is only bout 104 shipped from big als if they still have them on sale, thats what i got for my 55 gallon discus tank

05-13-2006, 12:12 PM	#7
Thebluyak Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: where the wild things are (NC) Posts: 378	yeah you cant have to much filtration, but the Biowheel lets CO2 escape and that can hurt if you are planted, also the bio wheels need be checked up on to make sure they dont stop spinning

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