55 Gallon Filter

[jackbc48]

i have a 55 gallon tank with a whisper 60 power filter that came with the tank.
I am looking to upgrade this filter.
I am probably going to get a fluval 305 or 405 canister filter.
If I could get a cheap Fx5 on ebay for $50 more, would it be worth it to get the Fx5, or would that be overkill?
I am also probably going to put an inline heater on the return to the tank.

 

[blue acara]

I read alot of posts over the years of ppls fluvals breaking down. The fx5 is too big for a 55g. Id advise you to get a /eheim 2128 thermofilter. They last forever and have the heating element included. Another much cheaper flltration option is an air powered sponge filter- these provide better biofiltration than even large cannister filters ime.

 

[bobross]

Whatever filter you decide on, why don't you keep the whisper running with it?


BobRoss

 

[DutchKev]

ive got a 55gal and am currently running a tetratec ex1200, near silent operation, very easy to use and had no problems with it as of yet

 

[jackbc48]

I don't live in the UK, so I can't get the tetratec filter.
Also, I can't spend more than around $200 for the filter, so the eheim are out of the question.

 

[OldMan47]

A good choice, not exactly cheap but reasonable, is the Rena XP series. I am running an XP2 on my 55 and it is doing a great job for me. It is under the target price you have if you get it on some on-line location. I have seen them at DrFoster & Smith, Big Als, E-bay and several other places. My Petsmart used to price match, but they don't any more so I have taken to actually buying equipment on line.

 

[jackbc48]

what about the marineland C-series 360?
I like the higher flowrate.

 

[OldMan47]

what about the marineland C-series 360?
I like the higher flowrate.

I only have one of the C series and it works great as a filter. I do not like the way it fails to shut off the water for cleaning. My shutoff valves always leak badly when I am trying to clean mine and I end up needing to tie the hoses up above the tank water line to stop the flood in my fish room. On the other hand, my Rena XP series are easy to prime and easy to clean. Lately I have started using more and more sponge filters with power heads instead of canisters for my smaller tanks. The canisters are great for larger tanks though.

 

[qwikimpss]

I use a Fluval 405 on my 75 gal and also used the same filter on a 55 gal. This filter has been running for 2-3 years now and hasn't had a problem for me (but everyone has different experiences). The only issue is it is tougher to clean than the Eheim canister I have on my 29 gal.

 

[onebto]

you can never over do filtration so go for as much as you can afford

 

[Bluetooth]

I agree with the not able to over do filtration comment.

If you can get an fx5 for cheap, go for it, in the end youll only want to upgrade to a bigger tank and it means you dont have to buy another filter, plus you wont need to cycle when you decide to upgrade.

I bought an aqua one advance 1250, it doesnt have a heater element in it but its a good filter, easy to maintain and very good build quality so far.

I also cant speak of fluval filters highly enough. My dad has a fluval 304 and hasnt had any issues with it bar the impeller covers but they are cheap enough anyway and to be fair every filter needs replacement bits sometime through its life.

Tbh get what you can afford, as above if you can get a cheap fx5 get that if not a 405 should be fine also.

 

[River Dog]

you can never over do filtration so go for as much as you can afford

Couldn't agree more. Always try and get a filter bigger than you think you need. You can buy the Fluval FX5 and then turn the flow down using the taps if you need too. I have a number of FX5's and I can't find any fault with them, other than the fact you cannot buy a ready made spray bar for them.