apotocki
Aquarium Advice Regular
This is a new thread continuing my search for a filter for my soon to be 65 gallon tank. The orignal thread was Getting a 55 gallon tank and very confused.
As you can see, after visting (4) different LFS's, my tank size has increased from 55 to 65 gallons......
To recap, my dilemma is trying to determine what type and size filter system I need. This will be a FW non-planted tank and will most likely house a few angels, blue rams, about 10-12 cardinal tetra's, 3 clown loaches, 3 cory's and probably another 5-8 other fish (rainbow's?).
I'm struggling between a HOB or canister style filter. I've visited (4) LFS's in the past week and here is what they say:
Store #1 - you must have a UGF along with a large HOB....like an Emperor 400. Discussion on the UGF and its real need didn't change they're opinion. No real opinion on a canister other than, yea, that would work too. Not much help.
Store #2 - again, another must have UGF along with a HOB OR canister. Get a AquaFlow 500 or any canister and you'll be happy. Again, not much help.
Store #3 - you don't need a UGF (HOO-RAY! - finally). You can either go with a canister....like a FLuvall 404 or Magnum OR go with (2) smaller HOB units like (2) AquaClear 300's. The problem in going with a Fluvall 404 or Magnum will be that there will not be enough circulation and you will/should also use a powerhead or airstone to increase the circulation. They're overall receommendation was to use (2) HOB's as even though the Fluvall and Magnum were rated at 350gph, in reality, they will probably only provide 300 or so. Also, they leaned towards the Fluvall due to the Magnum's micro filter canister's trend of slowing down the flow when it starts getting dirty and the Fluvall has easier maintenance. They advised me to stay away from the Eheim's as the GPH ratings are too low.....
Store # 4 - Spoke with (2) separate people. First (Store Mgr.), basically said - you do not need UGF (yay - another good start!) and you certainly don't need (2) HOB's.....having (1) large one - like a AquaClear 500 is enough. There really will not be a benefit to having (2) smaller HOB's located on different ends....the filters all draw water from all over the tank (?). Also, they recommended the Fluvall 404 for the canister and contradicted Store #3 by saying you will definetely will not need an increase in circulation, the Fluvall will provide enough. Also, going with a canister will be LESS maintennace than a HOB (only once a month or so....) They also pointed me to getting an in-line HEATER if I go with the Fluvall (or any canister).....hmmmm.....sounds interesting and would also get another item out of the tank (less clutter) but at double the cost. Any opinions on this?
The 2nd employee was the guy who was selling the fish....his recommendation was the Fluvall 404 and nothing else.
Ok, I'll have to make a decision on this within the next week as I will be buying the tank this week and probably the filter a supplies the following week......I 'think' right now I'm leaning towards the Fluvall 404. I'm out of LFS's to visit, sooooo, I'll have to go with the information I've obtained from them and you.
Thanks
Alan
As you can see, after visting (4) different LFS's, my tank size has increased from 55 to 65 gallons......
To recap, my dilemma is trying to determine what type and size filter system I need. This will be a FW non-planted tank and will most likely house a few angels, blue rams, about 10-12 cardinal tetra's, 3 clown loaches, 3 cory's and probably another 5-8 other fish (rainbow's?).
I'm struggling between a HOB or canister style filter. I've visited (4) LFS's in the past week and here is what they say:
Store #1 - you must have a UGF along with a large HOB....like an Emperor 400. Discussion on the UGF and its real need didn't change they're opinion. No real opinion on a canister other than, yea, that would work too. Not much help.
Store #2 - again, another must have UGF along with a HOB OR canister. Get a AquaFlow 500 or any canister and you'll be happy. Again, not much help.
Store #3 - you don't need a UGF (HOO-RAY! - finally). You can either go with a canister....like a FLuvall 404 or Magnum OR go with (2) smaller HOB units like (2) AquaClear 300's. The problem in going with a Fluvall 404 or Magnum will be that there will not be enough circulation and you will/should also use a powerhead or airstone to increase the circulation. They're overall receommendation was to use (2) HOB's as even though the Fluvall and Magnum were rated at 350gph, in reality, they will probably only provide 300 or so. Also, they leaned towards the Fluvall due to the Magnum's micro filter canister's trend of slowing down the flow when it starts getting dirty and the Fluvall has easier maintenance. They advised me to stay away from the Eheim's as the GPH ratings are too low.....
Store # 4 - Spoke with (2) separate people. First (Store Mgr.), basically said - you do not need UGF (yay - another good start!) and you certainly don't need (2) HOB's.....having (1) large one - like a AquaClear 500 is enough. There really will not be a benefit to having (2) smaller HOB's located on different ends....the filters all draw water from all over the tank (?). Also, they recommended the Fluvall 404 for the canister and contradicted Store #3 by saying you will definetely will not need an increase in circulation, the Fluvall will provide enough. Also, going with a canister will be LESS maintennace than a HOB (only once a month or so....) They also pointed me to getting an in-line HEATER if I go with the Fluvall (or any canister).....hmmmm.....sounds interesting and would also get another item out of the tank (less clutter) but at double the cost. Any opinions on this?
The 2nd employee was the guy who was selling the fish....his recommendation was the Fluvall 404 and nothing else.
Ok, I'll have to make a decision on this within the next week as I will be buying the tank this week and probably the filter a supplies the following week......I 'think' right now I'm leaning towards the Fluvall 404. I'm out of LFS's to visit, sooooo, I'll have to go with the information I've obtained from them and you.
Thanks
Alan