AquaClear 50 or Penguin 200

[BoredAgain]

what is the benefit of the AC that I am missing out on?

In my opinion, they are just a better class of HOB. Smaller, quieter, more efficient, more room for a greater variety of media...the list goes on.

I used to praise Penguins and tell everyone to get one, and I still do to a certain degree, but once you have tried AquaClear filters, there really is no comparison.

I'll still use my Penguins on none planted tanks with smaller bio loads, but for anything else it will be AquaClear.

And always, if you can afford a canister filter, get one.

 

[meili.harrison]

I know, canisters are much better. I now have XP3 and Emperor 400 on my 72 gal. I have an AC110 on my 55 gal. Then a whole bunch of whisper filters because they came with tanks I bought, either used or new. I'm just trying to get some mid range filters that would work for my 29 gals and add the whispers to that. I will go with the AC50 then. Thanks for all your opinions... that's why AC is awesome!

 

[BoredAgain]

Just so you can get an idea of what I have currently running:

55g: XP3, AC110
28g: AC50, AC50
10g: AC20

My Top Fin (Whisper) 30, Penguin 350, Penguin 200, and Penguin 100 are all in storage.

 

[meili.harrison]

That's a good setup. I noticed the price jump on AC filters!!

 

[BoredAgain]

That's a good setup. I noticed the price jump on AC filters!!

Yup...but lucky for me I already had some printouts from PetSmart's website when I recently bought an AC50 and an AC20. Too bad they wouldn't let me keep them.

 

[Hooked Newbie]

Just so you can get an idea of what I have currently running:

55g: XP3, AC110
28g: AC50, AC50
10g: AC20

My Top Fin (Whisper) 30, Penguin 350, Penguin 200, and Penguin 100 are all in storage.

Teehee...

55g: XP3, AC110
55g: XP3, AC110
29g: XP2, Top Fin 30
20g: XP2, Penguin 150
20g: AC50
20g: AC50
8 10gs: 20g sponges, various internals
2 5gs: 10g sponges

More coming this weekend.

 

[BoredAgain]

Teehee...

55g: XP3, AC110
55g: XP3, AC110
29g: XP2, Top Fin 30
20g: XP2, Penguin 150
20g: AC50
20g: AC50
8 10gs: 20g sponges, various internals
2 5gs: 10g sponges

More coming this weekend.

I'm getting there. :silly:

 

[Hooked Newbie]

I'm getting there. :silly:

I actually teehee'd (new word, I claim rights) because of your filter choices on your 55g.

As far as tanks, I've been extremely lucky and persistent. All my 10s & 5s were free from a breeder moving back to Thailand. All but 3 of my other tanks were completely free. Gotta love CL. I'm picking up a free 20 setup tomorrow and paid $6 ea for some new 10s from the ACA show tanks. I've spent more on filters and livestock than other equipment or tanks. I count it as hopefully good karma from the fish gods.

 

[BoredAgain]

I actually teehee'd (new word, I claim rights) because of your filter choices on your 55g.

Great setup isn't it? I did have the XP3 and a Penguin 350, but wasn't happy and had to vacuum the sand way too much. After one night with the AC110 on there, there wasn't a speck of debris on the sand besides one corner of the tank that had just a bit. It could be the AC that made the difference, or it could have just been the position of the AC and XP3 that really did it, or both. Either way, it's a great setup. (Now if I could just get that one corner to stop collecting crap. )

As far as tanks, I've been extremely lucky and persistent. All my 10s & 5s were free from a breeder moving back to Thailand. All but 3 of my other tanks were completely free. Gotta love CL. I'm picking up a free 20 setup tomorrow and paid $6 ea for some new 10s from the ACA show tanks. I've spent more on filters and livestock than other equipment or tanks. I count it as hopefully good karma from the fish gods.

Seems like you consistently hit the jackpot as far as tanks go. I continually search craigslist here for deals, but never find any. The people here over value everything. 20g freshwater setup for $400, I don't think so.