I'm looking to buy a filter for a 29 gallon tank that I'll be setting up in a couple weeks. I'm kind of on a tight budget right now so anything cheap and in working order would be nice.
WTB Filter for a 29g Tank - Shipping - Vienna WV
- Thread starter brittanyd0203
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I have a broken one, its a fairly simple fix. I may be able to sell it to you, i just need to fix it. I accidently hit it on something and it broke, and it should work perfectly fine with some repairs. I got it with my 29 gallon kit, so it should fit perfectly. I have no use for it, so i'll sell it to you for $20, its worth about $30 at Petco, so its a nice deal. I have yet to calculate shipping, and i'm still unsure if i can send it. I should have a definate answer in an hour or so.
What kind of filter are you looking for? Since it has to be cheap, hang on back power filters are probably going to be it but do you use the replacement cartridges?
I just get the cheapo filters from Walmart. The AquaTech 20-40 would probably be around $20 and you could stuff it full of foam sponges and ceramic media such as Biomax (AquaClear filter media). This saves you tons of money in the long run, even if you end up spending $20 more on the media.
Think of it like razors...it's the blades that are expensive.
BTW, those AquaTechs are made by Marineland - they are basically Penguin filters without bio-wheels. They are more rough and tumble than the Penguins, IMO.
I just get the cheapo filters from Walmart. The AquaTech 20-40 would probably be around $20 and you could stuff it full of foam sponges and ceramic media such as Biomax (AquaClear filter media). This saves you tons of money in the long run, even if you end up spending $20 more on the media.
Think of it like razors...it's the blades that are expensive.
BTW, those AquaTechs are made by Marineland - they are basically Penguin filters without bio-wheels. They are more rough and tumble than the Penguins, IMO.
If you can't buy a decent filter, you shouldn't get fish. You should never cheap-out on filtration. It's too important.
Not all filters have to be expensive to be good. I bought a used Eheim filter rated for an 80 gallon tank for $40, it is filtering my 29 gallon tank.
I have fairly expensive filters running in all of my other 5 tanks and since we had an oscar dumped on us we're looking to set him up a livable environment for cheap until we can get him the right stuff. So, I'm not looking for a "cheap-out" on filtration as a permanent solution, just a temporary one.
I am looking for a HOB filter and I do use the cartridges that you can buy at Wal*Mart.
I am looking for a HOB filter and I do use the cartridges that you can buy at Wal*Mart.
Oscars are sensitive to their water conditions. Clean water is very essential to their well being. IMO, when it comes to them, you can't over-filter. For very short term (no more than 1-2 weeks) you might be OK . Be aware that Oscars require a tank of 75 gallons or more. You might be OK for about 2-3 months but they do grow a bit faster than many others.
Aqua-techs get a bad rap due to being a Wally exclusive. They are decent and do the job designed for. As has already been mentioned, they have Penguin (Marineland) motors in them and can be counted on for reliability. I have a 40-60 (or is it 30-60?) that I bought ages ago and keep onhand as a spare. The flow-rate is 360gph.
One of my Oscar tanks (90 gal) uses 2 - Emperor 400's that do a very good job at maintaining water clarity. HOB's are fine.
Aqua-techs get a bad rap due to being a Wally exclusive. They are decent and do the job designed for. As has already been mentioned, they have Penguin (Marineland) motors in them and can be counted on for reliability. I have a 40-60 (or is it 30-60?) that I bought ages ago and keep onhand as a spare. The flow-rate is 360gph.
One of my Oscar tanks (90 gal) uses 2 - Emperor 400's that do a very good job at maintaining water clarity. HOB's are fine.
Well, you certainly aren't doing yourself any financial favors buying disposable cartridges! Really, you would save a ton if you switched to open cell pore sponges you can rinse and reuse, such as these:
http://www.aquabid.com/cgi-bin/auction/auction.cgi?filterationm&1265935179
The remainder of the space could be stuffed with PolyFill (craft batting). This is cheap enough to just throw away when it gets dirty.
Seriously, if you have more than a couple of tanks, you can't afford not to stop using cartridges, which are extremely expensive for what they are. Just a little handful of carbon on a plastic grid and a little bit of floss, not much. Not only would you save money switching to other media, but I think you would find it is much more effective at mechanical filtration...a must if you keep messy fish like oscars.
I'll be quiet now...
I just feel bad that so many people use those ripoff throwaway cartridges, when they could be using the money they save to buy better filters.
http://www.aquabid.com/cgi-bin/auction/auction.cgi?filterationm&1265935179
The remainder of the space could be stuffed with PolyFill (craft batting). This is cheap enough to just throw away when it gets dirty.
Seriously, if you have more than a couple of tanks, you can't afford not to stop using cartridges, which are extremely expensive for what they are. Just a little handful of carbon on a plastic grid and a little bit of floss, not much. Not only would you save money switching to other media, but I think you would find it is much more effective at mechanical filtration...a must if you keep messy fish like oscars.
I'll be quiet now...
I just feel bad that so many people use those ripoff throwaway cartridges, when they could be using the money they save to buy better filters.- Status