Best HOB power filter?

[clawlan]

Ok. I have a marineland bio-wheel 150 (rated to 30 gallons) I have been told I should go for the Aquaclear 70 of the marineland bio-wheel 350. From what I have read, the bio-wheel does a suberb job at fostering good bacteria. What are your suggestions for the best HOB filter? I have a 28 gallon freshwater tank.

[Rallysman]

It all boils down to personal preference. Emperors and aquaclears are both good filters, but I prefer the aquaclear due to fact that it doesn't use cartridges.

[Reddog80p]

Aquaclears give you more flexibility. The media compartments are nice sized and pretty much any media you like will work.

[clawlan]

Aquaclears give you more flexibility. The media compartments are nice sized and pretty much any media you like will work.

yea, from what i have been reading, they are similar but the Aquaclear tends to be higher on peoples lists. So, that being said, I suppose I will return the marineland and get an Aquaclear 70. Is that going to be way overkill for a 30 gallon tank? Also, what do I need to buy to put into the filter itself? Everyone talks about different medias. I've read a lot about it but am still confused. What do you recommend? What does it come with standard? Thanks!

[Rallysman]

an aquaclear 70 will be great for that tank.

I would pick up an extra pack of biomax. It comes with a sponge, carbon, and biomax. Usually I put the carbon on the shelf to use for emergencies only and replace it with a pack of biomax.

[Reddog80p]

an aquaclear 70 will be great for that tank.

I would pick up an extra pack of biomax. It comes with a sponge, carbon, and biomax. Usually I put the carbon on the shelf to use for emergencies only and replace it with a pack of biomax.

I agree with Rallsman. The sponge is the mechanical filtration and the bio-max is biological filtration. It's filter media (ceramic rings)that the beneficial bacteria adhears to. The Carbon insert will remove meds, water impurities,odor and discolored water. It also polishes your water. Keep this on hand if you need it later. The other Aquaclear insert (ammonia remover) is not needed, If you do a fishless cycle it will actually slow your cycle down.

[clawlan]

I agree with Rallsman. The sponge is the mechanical filtration and the bio-max is biological filtration. It's filter media (ceramic rings)that the beneficial bacteria adhears to. The Carbon insert will remove meds, water impurities,odor and discolored water. It also polishes your water. Keep this on hand if you need it later. The other Aquaclear insert (ammonia remover) is not needed, If you do a fishless cycle it will actually slow your cycle down.

ok, so you are saying take out the carbon and insert a second bio-max filter. How often are these different filters changed?

[Reddog80p]

I would'nt change them at all until they start falling apart. If you experience restricted flow just take them out and swish them around in water taken from a water change. The packaging says every month thats a selling gimick. He's a link for some other great info about filter changing/cleaning. http://www.aquariumfish.com/aquariumfish/board/Topic110052-5-1.aspx

[clawlan]

I would'nt change them at all until they start falling apart. If you experience restricted flow just take them out and swish them around in water taken from a water change. The packaging says every month thats a selling gimick. He's a link for some other great info about filter changing/cleaning. http://www.aquariumfish.com/aquariumfish/board/Topic110052-5-1.aspx


thanks for the info, great help!

[g20zoom]

Let me ask...since we are on the topic of an aquaclear.

i have a AquaClear mini on my 10 gallon. Every couple of weeks, I rinse the sponge...but it doesn't seem to catch much. I don't see crap clinging on the sponge, so what's up with that? There is some brown stuff in it, but not that dirty. btw, I have a 2" pleco + 2" fancy goldfish.

Now the weird thing is that when the tank was new, the first few weeks...the poop accumulated on the bottom. A decent amount. Now after a month, I'm not sure where it goes because it's about 1/3 of when the tank was new. I'm guessing the bacteria in the sponge is breaking down the solids before I can see it when rinsing the filter. What do you think?

[jm1212]

i think the penguin 350s are awsome. there are four slots that you can use media basjkets with, and they will fit pretty much anything, plus you get two giant biowheels that provide great biological filtration.

[Reddog80p]

Let me ask...since we are on the topic of an aquaclear.

i have a AquaClear mini on my 10 gallon. Every couple of weeks, I rinse the sponge...but it doesn't seem to catch much. I don't see crap clinging on the sponge, so what's up with that? There is some brown stuff in it, but not that dirty. btw, I have a 2" pleco + 2" fancy goldfish.

Now the weird thing is that when the tank was new, the first few weeks...the poop accumulated on the bottom. A decent amount. Now after a month, I'm not sure where it goes because it's about 1/3 of when the tank was new. I'm guessing the bacteria in the sponge is breaking down the solids before I can see it when rinsing the filter. What do you think?

The bacteria will definatly break up the fish poo faster now. Both of those fish will get too big for that small of a tank. Goldfish need at least 30 gallons for one, and the pleco if it is a common pleco, will get 25+ inches....way too big. I would take the fish back and replace with fish more suitble for that size tank. Just a heads up don't rinse your sponge throughly, a simple "swish" or two to get large debris out would be sufficient, if the flow is not showing any signs of slowing down, I would'nt even touch the sponge. You lose beneficial bacteria if you rinse your sponge out too well.

[clawlan]

i think the penguin 350s are awsome. there are four slots that you can use media basjkets with, and they will fit pretty much anything, plus you get two giant biowheels that provide great biological filtration.

yea, I really like the idea of the bio-wheel but the general consensus is that people like the aquaclear. I'm still on the fence :(

[Marinemom]

It really is just a matter of personal preferance. I have the aqua clears on some of my tanks and I really love them. Thier filtering capacity is fantastic and they are very quiet. I also have the penguin filters, the 350, and the 200 and I really like them as well. However, if my penguins decide to kick it, i have decided that they will be replaced with aquaclears.

Marinemom

[WeeNe858]

yea, I really like the idea of the bio-wheel but the general consensus is that people like the aquaclear. I'm still on the fence :(


well then go with what you prefer... its your tank:]

and just to note.. you can always customize your filter so it best suits you... forget about what the company says

[corykid]

It really is just a matter of personal preferance. I have the aqua clears on some of my tanks and I really love them. Thier filtering capacity is fantastic and they are very quiet. I also have the penguin filters, the 350, and the 200 and I really like them as well. However, if my penguins decide to kick it, i have decided that they will be replaced with aquaclears.

Marinemom

i also have penguins and aquaclears, and i would go with aquaclears, because they are quiet, they have very low surface disruption, and they have a way better media, it is just easier to work with the media, change it, clean it, and use it to begin cycles on other tanks, because you can fit it in anywhere! i have 3 aqua sponges in the back on my penguin right now, collecting bacteria

[serum114]

From my previous experience the Emperor 400 has proven to be a great filter for me. I like the spray bar feature that keeps the bio-wheels wet and turning at an adjustable rate. Just my 2 cents :)

[clawlan]

i think that I am going to go with the AQ70 with an extra biomass filter. That should do everything that I want it to.

[jerzsky]

i love the bio 350..i use it in my tank and have no complaints! even though you have to change the pads, hey its all part of maintenence...our duty to our scaly friends! plus the bio wheel 350 has space for two extra cartriges that you could fill with whatever media you desire!

[tks4d2]

i have an ac50 and no complaints for me! easy to maintain and all media is REUSABLE! plus backed by lifetime warranty

[clawlan]

...lifetime warranty

Yea that is a nice incentive.