55 Filter

[Wolfdog]

Hello all,

Just got a new (new to me) 55gal tank!

I would like to know what will be the best filter for me to put on there...

Id like something under 100$

The tank will be community, I will be combining my two 10gals into it.

All ive been used to before was HOB external filters. Whats the deal with these "canister" filters how are they?

I also plan to try my luck with plants too, if that makes a dif.

Thanx,
Wolf

 

[shuhu]

weel, I haven't tried this myself but many people have recommended "Hagen Fluval Canister Filter" and for your tank it would be the model "Fluval 304" (from 50 to 70 Gal tanks).... if I were to buy a filter this woudl be it

 

[RYO]

Hi m8, i have no experience with hob filters, dont see many if any over here.
As for caister filters, the main pros are multi stage filtration(biological , mechanical,and chemical), and masses of it, easy cleaning(ish), and if you have a planted tank, unobtusive inlets and outlets.
As for types , budget is the main factor, Eheim's seem to get great press on this forum but come at a premium(read tad expensive)
Fluval(which i run) are cheeper but imo seem good filters and are quiet, easy to set up and clean.
There are other makes but these seem to be the most popular or easily available (over here anyhow)
With size alway get the biggest you can afford (you can always turn flow down )
Hope this helps someway

 

[Wolfdog]

Hey shopped around on the net and it seems the Fluval 304 would prolly be best for me.

Its 90$ round my area.

Just set up the tank and all today, will go buy the filter as soon as i get paid!

Thanx for the help.

Wolf

 

[swampcat]

An aquaclear 300 or 500 . Check petsmart.com really inexpensive!!! I have a 500 on my 55 set at the lowest flow rate, does a great job tank spotless.

Easy maint., holds alot of media, any media used in a canister can be used in an aquaclear!

the new numbers are the aquaclear ac-70 and ac-110 . They are exactly the same as the ac-300 and ac-500.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Wolfdog

In agree with swampcat; you can't beat a big AquaClear for biological or mechanical filtration.

In addition to the sponge in the bottom, you can stuff the chamber with filter floss to provide additional surfaces for beneficial bacteria to grow, and this traps additional dirt too.

 

[spAcE mOnkEy]

Yep Aqua clears work great! But i had to replace mine because it would suck up all the sand and make a really loud annoying grinding noise. So, if you have sand i would recomend an ehiem canaster filter.

 

[vantgE]

I'd do a ac110 as well, but also check out the rena filters there also great seem better then the fluvals, and cheaper then the ehiems,