I Bought A Used 55 Gal Tank

[glorums]

Hello. I am new to this forum, and I appreciate any help that can be given.

I have kept fish in the past, but had to sell my tank when I moved into an apartment. Now that I am in a house again, I am excited to have another big tank. I bought a used 55 gallon tank over the weekend. The setup included a HOT Magnum canister filter, a HOB pinguin bio wheel 333, and undergravel filter that he had 2 pinguin power sponge filters attached to. He said he used this all together to have an immaculate tank for breeding.

When I had my 55 gallon tank in the past, I had only used a power wheel filter, so the canister and undergravel filters are new to me. I plan to have either a ciclid tank or goldfish (I know, very different idea). I found an instruction manual online for the canister filter, but the undergravel filter and power sponge filter combo is driving me crazy. Should I just scrap these filters? Just use the sponges without the undergravel piece?

Please help! Thank you!

 

[Mort75]

Hello. I am new to this forum, and I appreciate any help that can be given.

I have kept fish in the past, but had to sell my tank when I moved into an apartment. Now that I am in a house again, I am excited to have another big tank. I bought a used 55 gallon tank over the weekend. The setup included a HOT Magnum canister filter, a HOB pinguin bio wheel 333, and undergravel filter that he had 2 pinguin power sponge filters attached to. He said he used this all together to have an immaculate tank for breeding.

When I had my 55 gallon tank in the past, I had only used a power wheel filter, so the canister and undergravel filters are new to me. I plan to have either a ciclid tank or goldfish (I know, very different idea). I found an instruction manual online for the canister filter, but the undergravel filter and power sponge filter combo is driving me crazy. Should I just scrap these filters? Just use the sponges without the undergravel piece?

Please help! Thank you!

If it was me i would toss the undergravel filter. They seem to be an outdated type of filter. what type of canister filter is it. If the canister was big enough to filter the 55 gallon by itself i would just use it and toss the other two types of filters in the trash.

 

[Aquascaper]

A 55g with 3 goldfish is a bit of a waste IMO and you'd need a lot more filtration so go with cichlids (or a community tank).

I'm not sure what the 'power filters' are so my thoughts would be use the canister and HOB and certainly not bother with the undergravel filter as using anything other than gravel will clog it up and being stuck with gravel will limit your choice of fish.

 

[fluttermoth]

Undergravels can be very useful, in some set ups, but if you're thinking of goldfish (which are marvellous characters, Aquascaper, and in no way a 'waste' of a tank!!) or cichlids, that both tend to dig, UGs aren't the best way to go.

I would suggest the same as the other posters and go with the canister (assuming that's of an appropriate size for the tank) and the HOB.

 

[Aquascaper]

Sorry, did I say goldfish were a waste......no, I said a 55g with 3 goldfish would be a waste (seeing as that is all that could be stocked in that size tank).

I have no problem with being criticised but at least make sure you read my posts properly first.

 

[fluttermoth]

Sorry, did I say goldfish were a waste......no, I said a 55g with 3 goldfish would be a waste (seeing as that is all that could be stocked in that size tank).

I have no problem with being criticised but at least make sure you read my posts properly first.

Sorry, I thought I had read your post properly; I misunderstood; apologies!

 

[glorums]

The H.O.T. Magnum Canister filter is a 250 I believe (size U sleeve), and the bio wheel is pinguin 330. Should I use both of these for a 55 gallon tank, or just pick one?

The marineland power sponge filter - is it supposed to be hooked up to the undergravel tube? Or is this a seperate filter? And should I just toss them?

Thanks again, much appreciated!

 

[JohnDyer]

The H.O.T is enough by itself, but more filtration never hurts.
I think the sponges can be run separate from the UG filter just by pulling the attachment off and attaching a sponge. If they do work alone, you might as well run them, it'll help keep the tank cleaner.