New filter for 20 gal long

[snifflyfro]

Hi,

Just tested the old filter that was with my 20 gal long but it was dead, it’s probably a good thing. So I’m looking at Big Als online and can’t choose what filter to get. It’s great how cheap he is compared to the LFS. I’m looking for a quiet filter that will last and not completely break the budget, although it doesn’t look like any will.

Here are some that I’ve been looking at and any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Tetra-Tec Filter 150 :
http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=22173;category_id=1721;pcid1=2885;pcid2=

Marineland Penguin Bio-Wheel Power Filter- 170:
http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=22151;category_id=1721;pcid1=2885;pcid2=

Marineland H.O.T. Magnum - 250 G.P.H.
http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=22139;category_id=1721;pcid1=2885;pcid2=

Thanks everybody and feel free to make any other suggestions.

 

[Guest]

I'd go with the H.O.T. Magnum..

 

[snifflyfro]

I was just thinking that the H.O.T. magnum might be too powerful or loud. Not sure if I really need a 250 gph

 

[Endgame319]

I would reccomend and Aquaclear 200, they are cheap, reliable, and excellent filters. They are almost silent as long as you keep the water level high. And get 2 sponge media cartriges for it, they are a great place for bacteria to grow. And if you use more than one aquaclear, you can instantly cycle a tank by moving the sponge to the other filter. And 200 gph would be more than enough filtering for your tank.

http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=22125;category_id=1721

 

[Guest]

First thing..You really can never have enough filtration IMO. Second.. I agree with Going with the Aqua Clear 200..

 

[Menagerie]

I have heard great things of the AquaClears and just picked one up at an auction. I set it up the 150 on the ten gal--it has a valve to vary the water flow, which is good. Some fish can't stand current, some love it. For my tank, we cranked it down (it is overkill on a 10 gal with 4 fish each under and inch, which will stay that way). We didn't have any sponges, so we chucked in ceramic media (often used with Fluvals and we buy it in bulk) and batting. However, I agree with Endgame, you can easily move those sponges around if needed.

 

[snifflyfro]

Is the aqua clear not as good as other filters that have a bio-wheel or does it not really matter?

 

[myriam]

I just had a similar thread in the General Discussion forum. Anyhow, I ended up getting an Aquaclear 30 instead of a Penguin. I was kind of leaning towards a bio-wheel filter until grimlock pointed out how a power outage lasting a few hours (which we experience here in the Seattle suburbs) will kill the nitrifying bacteria on your bio-wheel, and there goes that.

So I just installed my new Aquaclear and it's running great!