Cheapest filter to operate for a 55 gallon aquarium

[FreshyFresh]

Even with the cheap eBay suction cup sponge bubblers, I'm always amazed at what comes out of them when I squeeze them out. Other than those, I have ones made by "Deep Blue" that I've had running for 2-3yrs at this point. Lots of brown goodness comes out of them too.

 

[apastuszak]

Right now the plan is to go with a Aquaclear 70 HOB, with a possible upgrade to the Fluval 304, when I get enough parts to fix it up.

I'm trying to decide between an Eheim Jager or Aqueon Pro heater. I like the Aqueon Pro, because it's not glass and it's shows green when it reaches temperature. So, no light, and you have a problem.

The Eheim Jager has a more accurate thermostat and seems to run cheaper price-wise.

I've used Visitherm and Hydor heaters in the past. My Hydor failed after a month. The Visitherms were OK. One lasted 10 years. The other only about a year.

Not sure what other brands are even worth considering.

 

[Duckie]

IMO the more accurate thermostat is a non-issue. It is far more important to have consistency rather than a specific imaginary number. Daily temperature swings (colder at night, warmer during light period) also naturally appear in the wild and fish will adapt.

 

[apastuszak]

IMO the more accurate thermostat is a non-issue. It is far more important to have consistency rather than a specific imaginary number. Daily temperature swings (colder at night, warmer during light period) also naturally appear in the wild and fish will adapt.

What I meant by more accurate was the you set it it to 80 and it stays at 80. The Aqueon Pro, I set to 80 and my tank goes to 82. It stays at 82 pretty consistently, but 82 is not 80.

 

[Duckie]

What I meant by more accurate was the you set it it to 80 and it stays at 80. The Aqueon Pro, I set to 80 and my tank goes to 82. It stays at 82 pretty consistently, but 82 is not 80.

Exactly. Then you simply set it to 78 and you will have a tank around 80. Also depends where you measure the tank at. Plus you won't know if the tank actually is at 80 unless your thermometer is calibrated.

 

[Rbishop]

Think it comical that folks expect accuracy from $30 heaters and $2 dollar thermostats....

 

[apastuszak]

Think it comical that folks expect accuracy from $30 heaters and $2 dollar thermostats....

So, what brand and price range would you say you need to go to to get accuracy?

 

[apastuszak]

The official "I want to scream moment just happened." Tank full of water. Lights on. Went to hook up the Aquaclear 70 to the aquarium and THERE IS NOT ENOUGH CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE WALL AND THE TANK TO FIT A HOB FILTER!!!

So, it appears I will be using a canister filter on this tank now.

 

[apastuszak]

Managed to slide the full tank over an few centimeters and get the Aquaclear 70 hung on the tank.

 

[Jade.Crusader]

Congrats! How's it going at this point. Pics?