Filtration

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Sillyfishies

Sillyfishies

Aquarium Advice Addict
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Jul 6, 2012
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I have a 26 gallon bowfront tank with an Aqueon 30 filter. I was going to get another filter. I was thinking of getting an AC. Which one should I get?
 
I would add a Marineland Bio-Wheel. You can get more gph for a much better price. Aquaclears are great but pretty expensive.
 
That is true, vanimal, the Bio-wheel does give you more gph. But, imo, the filtration system of the AC (foam- carbon- biological) is MUCH better than 2 pieces of small foam with a small amount of carbon between them.

Not to mention, if you decide to skip the carbon, you can insert whatever you like into that slot.

And...in my case, I was having a problem with the outflow of the bio-wheel being too "directional" and pushing my fish around. The AC pushes the outflow down which let me break up the current with driftwood.
 
I'd also started with marine land bio filters but eventually switched to aqua clear with no regrets on all my tanks.
 
Filters are such a controvertial subject, despite the fact that almost every single aqua hobbyist will come back to, or wholeheartedly recommend, a Hagen AquaClear...

I haven't heard good things about Marineland's HOBs with the BioWheels -- but I never personally used one; I'm just going by what I have read and have been told...

Further, if you're on a budget, you may consider one of Aqueon's HOBs; I have a QuietFlow 55 and a 20 (the 55 is currently running along with my AquaClear 110 on the 60 gallon goldfish tank; the 20 has been stored with my 10 gallon if I ever start that back up with a Betta or something...) and they are remarkable filters for the cash. Aqueon is always putting these things on sale at your run of the mill Petsmart, etc:

Aquarium Filters & Fish Tank Filter Systems | PetSmart

Read about them here:

Aqueon Aquarium Products It's all about the fish

You can't go wrong with, from everything that's out there on them, an AquaClear so far as HOBs go, but they're a bit more expensive than other makes; as for the size for your setup, what were you leaning towards?
 
I think Aqua Clears are overrated, but I'm definitely in the minority on that opinion.

I can't use filter floss in my AC because after a day of absorbing particles from the water it becomes too dense and the filter basket can no longer hold it in place and it eventually pushes the filter basket up and pops the lid off the filter. If I push it back down a bunch of gunk gets pushed back into the tank.

Also, using the intake tube as is leaves it too far above the sand. I purchased an extension to put on and that brings it too close to the sand so it gets sucked in when the goldfish decide to forage in the sand near it. This tube is not adjustable.

Aqueon's are simple, efficient and cheap if you by them online. Marinelands are also a better filter in my opinion. I don't even have a problem with the fluval HOB's besides the fact that they are needlessly complex, but someone might have to stop me from taking a baseball bat to my AC70 one day.
 
Laser said:
I think Aqua Clears are overrated, but I'm definitely in the minority on that opinion.
Click to expand...

I was going to ask you why you felt that way, but you explained yourself perfectly in the next paragraph: :)

I can't use filter floss in my AC because after a day of absorbing particles from the water it becomes too dense and the filter basket can no longer hold it in place and it eventually pushes the filter basket up and pops the lid off the filter. If I push it back down a bunch of gunk gets pushed back into the tank.
Click to expand...

Hmmm...I suppose I can see this happening...all I am running in my 110 is the stock sponge and two small sacks of BioMax on top of it...keeps the water pretty clean (though it is being supplemented by a second HOB, the aforementioned Aqueon...); if your floss is constantly "plumping up" with debris caught by the AquaClear, is it possible your tank is overstocked and the waste is overwhelming the system? I don't know; just throwing it out there...

Also, using the intake tube as is leaves it too far above the sand. I purchased an extension to put on and that brings it too close to the sand so it gets sucked in when the goldfish decide to forage in the sand near it. This tube is not adjustable.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the AquaClear intake stems/pipes are a whole other dilemma -- the one that's attached to my 110 model doesn't reach that far down into my rather tall, new Marineland 60 gallon and, as you said, Hagen doesn't supply any extension pipes in the box (I think; I lost my box to this filter when my last tank flooded). However, I think you can buy extension pipes online...

OH -- never mind; I see you already purchased an extension....sorry. Yeah, I've heard about these things being too close to sand substrate and it sucks the sand in and kills the impellers and motors...I've read a lot of horror stories with the AquaClears on this subject...

Aqueon's are simple, efficient and cheap if you by them online.
Click to expand...

You get better deals online, probably, but they're really not that expensive even in the chain stores...
 
Laser said:
I think Aqua Clears are overrated, but I'm definitely in the minority on that opinion.

Everyone is entitle to there opinion and its good to share out experiences here.

I can't use filter floss in my AC because after a day of absorbing particles from the water it becomes too dense and the filter basket can no longer hold it in place and it eventually pushes the filter basket up and pops the lid off the filter. If I push it back down a bunch of gunk gets pushed back into the tank.

I use poly floss/filter floss/polishing pads etc all the time. I did have that issue you mentioned. This goes back to the customizing and versatility of the aqua clears. I removed the basket piece and never had a problem since. You have to clean the sponge I'd day at water change time or at least once a month to be fair. The bio wheels have the cartridge which obviously there held in place so you won't have that issue. I also don't run the lids on my AC110's

Also, using the intake tube as is leaves it too far above the sand. I purchased an extension to put on and that brings it too close to the sand so it gets sucked in when the goldfish decide to forage in the sand near it. This tube is not adjustable.

The tube can be cut to fit any size you desire. When I had the bio wheels I had to cut a few times. They were way too close. I actually like the height of the aqua clears (my one opinion) but again to b fair that issue can easily be fixed with a hacksaw and I believe that marine land actually recommended using a hacksaw when I called tech support because the intake was hitting the bottoms of my tank (I was a newb and knew nothing)

Aqueon's are simple, efficient and cheap if you by them online. Marinelands are also a better filter in my opinion. I don't even have a problem with the fluval HOB's besides the fact that they are needlessly complex, but someone might have to stop me from taking a baseball bat to my AC70 one day.
Click to expand...

Take a baseball bat to whichever you like :)

Bottom line and fact is... Most of what you stated can easily be corrected. I can't comment on the other filters you mentioned as I have no experience with them.


Ugh! I messed up. My responses are in the quite. Sorry about that.
 
I have an Aqueon 30 and an AquaClear on my 25gal tank and I have to say that I absolutely love my AquaClear and would definitely recommend it.
 
I'd go aqueon just for that 50gph more. I like the marineland but I fill that thing with as much as I can. I put two of the cartridges and some sponges for the aqua clear in there
 
See?

That's what I mean by a "controvertial subject"...;)

It's just a topic that's bound to have as many opinions as Petsmart/Petco has undernourished, unhealthy tanks...
 
True I returned the aqueon 50 I had cause it was two loud. So far I like marineland. I may get an aqua clear 70 for my 36 gallon and stick the marineland 200 on the back of my Cichlid tank for extra filtration
 
TheCommunityCichlid said:
True I returned the aqueon 50 I had cause it was two loud. So far I like marineland. I may get an aqua clear 70 for my 36 gallon and stick the marineland 200 on the back of my Cichlid tank for extra filtration
Click to expand...

Interesting...

My QuietFlow 55 isn't loud at all when the bubble walls are off -- the AquaClear is definitely quieter, but the Aqueon isn't "too loud" by any means...
 
The tank I had it on was in a bedroom and I couldn't sleep thats how loud it was. Marineland way quieter. I did have someone return one to my work cause it was smoking though. Personally never had a problem with it. I've had a 350 for 9 years now
 
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