Lots of Questions....

d_thomas_cg

AC Members
May 14, 2007
82
1
8
Cleveland, OH
...I introduced myself in another thread, but just a quick re-cap: I have been out of the aqurium game for several years now but im divin back in. My questions are probably a little different than most "newbie forum" questions, but i kept them in here because they are awfully basic. My first question is, should I ask all my questions in one thread or keep it one question per thread? Most of them are about all the new companies and products that are available now that were not available 3-4 years ago. I dont know whats new and whats hot. As for my filter question, what would you guys recomend for a 55 gal that will probably host a large variety of small SA fish (i.e tetras) or a number of small SA cichlids (i.e firemouths and jewels), moderately planted. Im used to HOB filters and always stuck with the penguins and emporers, but I am considering a cansiter filter for this setup, but once again, lots of new products available, a few years ago it was either fluval or eheim, HOT magnum was around but had a bad name on this site and was rarely used. SOOO... what do you guys suggest???
 
I use a rena because they are very inexpensive. I imagine most people will tell you to go with an eheim because they are the "best." I really like my rena, it is quiet, has a lot of versatility in its chambers for media, was easy to install, and so far, easy to maintain. My only criticism is that the actual "quality" of plastic seems a little brittle, although I haven't had another cannister filter to compare it to. It is self-priming with quick disconnect which is nice, but I imagine you could do that with any cannister filter with some isolation valves but into your lines.
 
I have a Rena XP3 on my 55. It was easy to set up and is quiet. I've only had it running for about 6 weeks, so can't tell you about long term quality. But so far, I'm happy with it.
 
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