Any experience with Aqueon filters?

[WeedCali]

I'm gonna be picking up a 36 gallon bowfront kit from petsmart tomorrow. It comes with a heater, Aqueon Quiet Flow 30 filter, some conditioner and food.

Has anyone ever used this filter or something similar? if so, how did you like it?

I would most likely be replacing it for a bigger one later though. However if i didnt replace it, i was gonna by a power head (probably a Maxi-Jet) and attach some filter foam to the intake for extra filtration. plus, this powerhead would also run my DIY c02 reactor.

I would appreciate any helpful info :)

[truck_317]

aqueon filters are junk the media cost way too much. If you are looking at filters go to www.kensfish.com
I recommend emperor, penguin, or aquafilters. If you get either the emperor or penguin this company also makes there own media for them and they are around 1.60 each

[theicequeen]

I have 2 Aqueon filters and I love them. I work at Petsmart and used to always go with topFin but never again, IMO Aqueon is very good. Although a 30Aqueon with a 36 bow doesnt sound like enough filtration.

[Stargazer53]

I have 2 Aqueon filters and I love them. I work at Petsmart and used to always go with topFin but never again, IMO Aqueon is very good. Although a 30Aqueon with a 36 bow doesnt sound like enough filtration.

:iagree: minus I do not work for Petsmart. I have the Aqueon 30 on my 20 gallon and I think it does a very good job. It's not as attractive on the exterior as what I'm used to but it's very quiet and the water flow is very great. :)

[vampie]

I don't like them much at all. Bulky, noisy, next to nothing in terms of biological media. Pretty good mechanical filtration, but that's about the pro IMO.

[WeedCali]

i did realize i might not have enough filtration. it does say it provides filtration for up to 40 gallons.

Anyway, while my sisters were out shopping today, they also brought home a 36 gallon bowfront kit :D cant wait to get everything up and running.

[Stargazer53]

Congratulations! :) I love bowfronts. I hope your setting up process runs smoothly.

And P.S. I think you should give everything a try. At first, I was turned off by Aqueon because I thought it was too "generic". I have a 20 gallon long in my one of my rooms that has been running for almost two years and I had placed it too close to my wall and thus, it was difficult for me to squeeze in a filter in the back. The Aqueon was slim and fit perfectly and in my experience, is not noisy at all. If it doesn't work out for you, you could always just keep it on hand as a spare for maybe a QT tank or any future projects. :) Good luck!

[truck_317]

get a emperor 400 or a penguin 350 and you will be fine

[CWO4GUNNER]

Use the filter you now have while your cycling the tank, get used to it and don't worry about bio as every part of your aquarium, filter, ornaments and sand/gravel are bio breeding grounds and much more then adequate. The whole marketing perceived need for special bio filter media is way overblown.

Once your tank is set up, cycled and ready for fish consider adding a second filter, a good intermediate size canister would be your best bet. I recommend the Magnum 250 HOB canister. Great for a small tank yet powerful enough to scale up to 50 gallons. It will keep your tank so clean you'll have a hard time seeing the water. $51.99 (http://www.bigalsonline.com/StoreCatalog/ctl3684/cp17290/si1382180/cl1/marineland_hot_magnum__250_gph?&query=magnum+250&queryType=0&hits=12&offset=) and free shipping.
http://akamai.edeal.com//images/catalog3684/folder24579/img2815228.jpg

[WeedCali]

I would most likely end up with an Aquaclear 50 :)

[irishspy]

I would most likely end up with an Aquaclear 50 :)

:iagree:

Good choice. :)

[CWO4GUNNER]

I would most likely end up with an Aquaclear 50 :)

I have 3 Aqua Clear filters I use as nitrate filters, one 70 and two 110's and I can tell you that on its worst day my Hot Mag 250 can out filter all three AC's when it comes to mechanical filtration. But the AC's shine at holding bare-root Pothos plants for reducing nitrates, but then so does any other working HOB power filter.

[accord728]

If it comes with it, you should be fine.

I would still recommend going with a Marineland filter - Emperor or Penguin series!

[sapphire384]

when i bought my 14 gallon kit, it came with an aquaeon 10 as the filter. it was very noisy and loud, no matter what i tried to do to silence it. now, i have na aquaclear 50 and it is running quiet.

[WeedCali]

My filter is actually quite quiet.

[clb2196]

I have that same kit from Petsmart (I normally wouldn't pay that much but I had an leaking tank I needed to replace at 8 PM lol). I use the Aqueon filter it came with. I plan on replacing it, but it seems to do the job for now. It's very quiet, IMO.

[katschamne]

For years and years I was Marineland all the way. I wanted to buy a new filter for one of my extra tanks and I didn't have the money for the penguin that I wanted. I decided to try an Aqueon filter and I have since bought 2 more. I love them. I find that they are really quiet as well. If it is nosy I would suggest making sure that the impeller is in all the way. I personally always over filter my tanks I have an Aqueon 10 for a 5 gallon and a Aqueon 30 for a 10 gallon tank that I had as a temporary goldfish tank, and they worked really well.

For the 36 gallon I would suggest a larger or a second filter. I agree that the Hot Magnum would work out nicely.

[Rollinondubz200]

now dont be saying mine is underfiltered... cuz i know it is... i have an aqueon 30 on a 72 gallon bowfront clean it once a month, make my own filters, have pool filter sand for substrate .some live plants. and my tank is crystal clear. and stays that way.its my fast grow out tank there is 9 fish in it

[Cory Keeper]

If it comes with it, you should be fine.

I would still recommend going with a Marineland filter - Emperor or Penguin series!

not unless he plans on keeping just pond snails. I have never ever seen a HOB filter filter the tank its rated for near as effectivly as it should. Filter ratings are :bs:. Now canisters, even then I like to overfilter a little are a little more close to their rated tank size. I still tend to go higher if I can. For example, the C-160 I'm running is rated for 30g tanks, its on a 29, it does a much better job than say any HOB filter (except for the ACs) "rated" for a 30g tank.


With that said, The Hot Magnum would be a really good choice if you can swing it, I had a Magnum 350 on a 29g tank, best filter that tank ever saw. Only issue was the constant cleaning I had to endure (you get that when running micron filters, cleanest tank though).

[WeedCali]

yeah i researched the Magnums and im really liking them. around $52 at Dr.FosterSmith.com and i wouldnt be getting the bio-wheel. never really cared for them anyway.

[firstdon]

I have 2 aqueons on my 26g Bowfront and they are great. In regards to bio filtration, they have tons of space for that too right in the filter with the biogrid difuser and the filter cartridge holder itself. They never have to be replaced nor rinsed for that matter unlike the aquaclear media or any other media for that matter. The only thing you replace monthly or whenever its needed is the filter cartidge. You just pull it out and put the new one in. DONE! all while the filter is still running. Also the Aqeuons can start running dry, meaning no priming neccesary, like the aquaclears or some other filters. Mine are real quiet as well. I have petrified rock and driftwood in my tank and the water CRYSTAL CLEAR. Trust me you will be happy with the Aqeuon. Mines running 2 plus years now. Good Luck!

[jawasnack]

I have that same tank and setup: http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?242428-36gal-Bowfront&highlight=
I also like to over filter so I added the only extra filter I had on hand which was a Tetra 20i which works fine but takes up way to much tank space.
The Aqueon 30 works fine and I would say is pretty quiet.This is the cheapest place I found to get cartridges for it unless you make your own: http://www.aquariumguys.com/aqueon-large-filter-cartridge-12pk.html
I am planning on replacing them both with a canister filter though and I'm leaning towards the H.O.T. Magnum 250 or a SUNSUN/Perfect ebay 3-stage Canister filter.

Good luck with your new tank!

[oughtsix]

I have a Magnum 350 (No bio wheels) and it is a great mechanical filter but pretty useless as a biological filter in my opinion. I would highly recommend the Magnums, just don't count on them being good bio filters. Even more effective at mechanical is my DE filter! But it is a much bigger headache; both to get running and to clean. And the DE doesn't run all the time. Nothing comes close to it for making the water sparkle though.

I do also run a Emperor 400 and like the bio wheels. I don't know if they are as effective as advertised but I like the comforting feeling of seeing them go round and round. I will be removing the Emperor 400 when I move my tank though. Purely an aesthetic choice and nothing to do with its effectiveness. The Emperor is my easiest to clean filter!

I haven't owned a SUNSUN but my impression of basket canister filters is they are great for biological filtration but wont make the tank water sparkle like the Magnums. I love my Eheim 2275 but I don't think I would shell out that kind of money again with all the positive reviews the Chinese filters have been getting. IMHO the best filter system is both the Magnum + a tray style canister.

A huge +1 for the Pothos! Mine are just wedged between the spraybar and tank where they are growing very well. They must be using something for nutrients!

[WeedCali]

lol this is so old :D

I have a SUNSUN and wouldnt be caught using anything else ATM

[fshfanatic]

If it comes with it, you should be fine.

Highly disagree. I have been in the hobby for 30+ yrs and I have yet to find a HOB type filter actually provide adequate filtration for their rated tank size. ALWAYS jump up at least one size, always.

[Khemul]

Yay for thread-necro. :evil_lol:


The only thing you replace monthly or whenever its needed is the filter cartidge. You just pull it out and put the new one in. DONE! all while the filter is still running.

That shouldn't be a selling point. Those are simply their as a money making ploy, not convenience. You can remove most filter media while the filter is running (at least with HOB's). The cartridges take up more space then they are worth, are more expensive, and not nearly as effective as the alternatives.


The only real difference in the brands are noise, internal space, and looks. Even then, since half the brands are made by the same people, there really isn't much difference now-a-days. Media is the marketing difference, but one of the first steps to setting up cartridge style filters should be to replace the cartridges.

[firstdon]

Hi Khemul....I was not trying to use it as a selling point bc I am not selling anything LOL

You really cant remove most cartridges without spilling the stuff that was just collected back in the tank if the filter is still running. But with the aqueons filter holder in place this does not happen.

As I said Im not trying to sell anything but why wouldn't "ease of use" and "quick maintenance" be 2 valid points to picking a filter? AS LONG AS of course the filter maintains a healthy tank, which my 2 aqueons accomplish.

[firstdon]

Hi Khemul....I was not trying to use it as a selling point bc I am not selling anything LOL

You really cant remove most cartridges without spilling the stuff that was just collected back in the tank if the filter is still running. But with the aqueons filter holder in place this does not happen.

As I said Im not trying to sell anything but why wouldn't "ease of use" and "quick maintenance" be 2 valid points to picking a filter? AS LONG AS of course the filter maintains a healthy tank, which my 2 aqueons accomplish.

[lp85253]

aqueon 30 is a good filter for mechanical filtration , you can use blue bonded pads cut to fit for replacements instead ofthe cartridges.Get a small sponge filter to go in the tank for bio filtration,you will probably have plenty of filtration.