AC 200 enough??

[andyt1286]

I have a 30 gallon aquarium and just got a Aqua Clear 200 gph for it. That filters more than 6 times an hour. Is that enough or should I return it for the AC 300?

Thanks,
Andy

[Steve B]

IMHO you can never have too much filtration. I forget what the filtering capacity of the 200 is but as a point of reference I used a 200 for my 20 gal tank. I have two 300's on my 55 gal tank.

[andyt1286]

I will use an AC 300. Thanks.

Andy

[NJ Devils Fan]

Yea, go with the 300. Its always better to go bigger with the filters and heaters because you can always turn the settings down.

[CHINABOY1021]

I personally would go with ac 200. because i like following manufacture suggestions.

sorry to drift a little off topic here, but i just dont understand why it is always that everyone cept me follow the manufacture specs?

plus i dont understand why it is so good to "over-filter". I believe that the filter doesnt remove harmful chemicals and bacteria, it just gathers them in one place so it is easier for manual removal. am i right on this? the bigger the filter, technically the more debris it could store. but its still all in "storage"

what am i saying? someone slap me

[nolemite]

Originally posted by CHINABOY1021
I personally would go with ac 200. because i like following manufacture suggestions.

sorry to drift a little off topic here, but i just dont understand why it is always that everyone cept me follow the manufacture specs?

plus i dont understand why it is so good to "over-filter". I believe that the filter doesnt remove harmful chemicals and bacteria, it just gathers them in one place so it is easier for manual removal. am i right on this? the bigger the filter, technically the more debris it could store. but its still all in "storage"

what am i saying? someone slap me

No you're not right. I think you need to do some research into how a filter works. In particular a power filter like the Aquaclear series which offers three different types of filtration.

Andy, go for the 300. The slight difference that you would probably be paying to upgrade from a 200 is more than worth it in the long run.

[VoodooChild]

China-For mechanical filtration you are right, you're just collecting more. To an extent chemical could be seen that way, but since "collection" can be used loosely here, I wouldn't consider that to be just delaying the inevitable. However, bio filtration doesn't work that way. The bigger the sponge is, the more bacteria will live on it, the more nitrates are going to be less of a problem. Remember, not all bacteria is bad. No worries though. No such thing as a stupid question.

[CHINABOY1021]

okay, i embarassed myself.

forget some of the things i've ever said on this board. i'm better as a listener. thanks all

[blitzen25bm]

want to add a little more. yea the sponge is bugger but i also like to add filters with more power so it would be able to move more water and that would let it suck in all the dirt before it would reach the bottom. -john

[ScottoMacD]

Before you go and spend more money on an AC300. You should ask yourself what am I going to put in the tank?

If it is going to be a lightly stocked none heavy bio load tank (ie: cichlid tank) a 200 would work fine. Now if you are going to cram the tank to it's max capacity then you would even be better off to pick up a second AC200 and have both running instead of one AC300

The other factor to keep in mind is the amount of current. If you are going to have smaller weaker fish the current from the 300 even when turned down ( which would defeat the purpose of a 300 in the first place) may be too much for the fish where as the current from the 200 would work much better.

If how ever you are going with the more robust type fish like barbs etc... buy the second 200 and have them run with four sponges. Your filtration will be excellent. Plus if you ever have a problem with either filter you will still have one decent filter to sustain the tank until the other is up and running again.

I have my 20 gallon long running on two AC150's. It was the best thing I ever did. The tank looks great and maintenance wise it is a dream to keep.

[JSchmidt]

Originally posted by NJ Devils Fan
Yea, go with the 300. Its always better to go bigger with the filters and heaters because you can always turn the settings down.

I respectfully disagree. Some filters (including the AC300) don't have very good flow control. You can only turn a 30 down so much... if it's way too much for the tank, even lowering the flow might not be sufficient. In this case, a 300 would probably be OK for a 30 gallon tank. I don't think, however, I'd put it on anything smaller.

For heaters, oversizing is asking for trouble. An oversized heater that malfunctions by sticking in the 'ON' position will quickly cook your fish. Going with several small heaters is considerably safer. It's not a bad idea to use several undersized heaters as a preventative measure.

Jim

[andyt1286]

I am going to go with the AC 300. At first I will have medakas, but I will be adding more..possibly angels or something. The 300 can't hurt. Thank you all!

Andy