Upgrading HOB filter

[Thepokerkid227]

Currently using a marineland penguin 200 bio wheel I had to start up my new 20 gallon once cycles complete and stocked I am thinking about upgrading to another HOB type filter. What does everyone suggest? I hear really good things about the aquaclear. Take into consideration I would like my next filter to cause a lot of surface agitation as I don't use air stones or an air pump. I'm not too fond of seeing bubbles in my tank plus it's just more cords to run.

 

[Old Scales]

Aquaclears are hard to beat although a rare noisy one shows up. Also check out the newer Fluval C series HOB's. Same company that makes the Aquaclears. OS.

 

[Thepokerkid227]

Can you leave out the carbon layer on them? Or does it need all 3 packs to function correctly? Was thinking just having sponge then 2 packs of ceramic bio-media

 

[Old Scales]

That's the big plus with the Aqua Clear and the C series. You can customize and move the order of media like you want. Plus the flow control up to a point. In my AC50 I use the foam on the bottom, cut to fit fiber pad next, and a little mesh bag of ceramic bio beads on top. And I still have room for a Purigen pouch if I need one. OS.

 

[Thepokerkid227]

That's a great feature really gonna look into one, never swapped out filters in an established tank, should I run the new one simultaneously for a few weeks with the old one to build up BB in it?

 

[Old Scales]

If you transfer the established media from the old to the new, you can just swap them out. I personally like having two filters running as I have backup in case one konks out. OS.

 

[Dnoel5787]

Once again, I totally concur with Old Scales. Drop filter media from your old filter into the new one to seed it, replace the media in the old filter with a new sponge or whatever you too out, and run both. Then, you have a backup in case something happens to the new one and you can pull one for a hospital tank if you need to set one up. Enjoy the Aquaclear. Arguably the best HOB you can get.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[BBradbury]

Tank Filtration

Currently using a marineland penguin 200 bio wheel I had to start up my new 20 gallon once cycles complete and stocked I am thinking about upgrading to another HOB type filter. What does everyone suggest? I hear really good things about the aquaclear. Take into consideration I would like my next filter to cause a lot of surface agitation as I don't use air stones or an air pump. I'm not too fond of seeing bubbles in my tank plus it's just more cords to run.

Hello The...

A Hagen Aquaclear 50 would be a bit much, but would provide strong surface movement and the aeration you want.

B

 

[Thepokerkid227]

I always over filter as I stock heavy, I actually would prefer the aqua clear 70