Filter Advice Please!

[Ruskull]

I'm planning on starting up a 36 gallon bowfront aquarium for Gouramis, Corys & Blue Rams. My son has a 20 gallon high setup with a Marineland Penguin 150 that seems to work very well. The 150 is rated for up to 30 gallons.

I was considering getting (2) more of those for my new 36 gallon rather than stepping up to the larger size model using only a single unit. I realize that getting the larger one is more cost effective but aren't there some benefits to having a filter on each side of the back of the tank? Keep in mind that I would also be able to buy the replacement cartridges for all (3) units instead of having to stock a different size for the larger filter.

 

[mike455555]

why not buy a bigger filter and have both running? ... so you got a small one and a big one either side of the tank?

 

[Ruskull]

why not buy a bigger filter and have both running? ... so you got a small one and a big one either side of the tank?

No, I plan to keep the Penguin 150 on my son's 20 gallon since it's doing fine there. My question is should I get 1 larger filter for my new 36 bowfront tank or get 2 more of the smaller ones? What would the benefits/downsides be for each option. I think having 2 smaller filters would cost more & might create too much top water disturbance, but I'd be collecting water from both sides of the tank rather than one & I would only have to stock 1 size filter cartridge.

 

[Noahs ark6]

hi
2 Small Filters:
uses more electricity
Costs more for cartridges
One would continue to filter if the other one failed
high flow rate

1 Big Filter:
Costs less
Uses less electricity


If it were me, i would use 2 smaller filters than one large, external one. But thats just me