Filter for 37 gallon, is Penguin 350 overkill?

[Akysten]

Is a Pentuin 350 overkill for a 37 gallon? Should I exchange for an emporer 280 or Penguin 200?

I got a deal on a Penguin 350... I didn't know whether I would end up with a 29, 40, or 55 when purchased. I ended up with a 37(30x12x24)
I'm curious if this is overkill... I had initiall thought that the more filtration the better.... as it would help with heavier bio loads. However, this may be too turbulent. I could always exchange it for a emporer 280 and pay the difference.

This will be the only filter on the tank.. there IS a mid level intake option that is.. at least.. supposed to reduce the amount of intake flow.

 

[nerdyguy83]

I would say the 350 is just right. I usually try to get the gph at around 10x the size of the tank.

 

[Roan Art]

I've got a 330, pretty much the same thing, on my 36 and it's not too strong at all.

Roan

 

[Akysten]

Thanks all...
What do you keep in your 36 gallon rainbow tank?
I'm thinking 6-8 praecox, maybe a loach and a pleco on the bottom, and some top swimmer... maybe a Gouriami... if he wouldn't be spooked by the Rainbows or the turbulence. If not, maybe Hatchetfish...

 

[Roan Art]

Thanks all...
What do you keep in your 36 gallon rainbow tank?
I'm thinking 6-8 praecox, maybe a loach and a pleco on the bottom, and some top swimmer... maybe a Gouriami... if he wouldn't be spooked by the Rainbows or the turbulence. If not, maybe Hatchetfish...

I currently have 6 Melanotaenia parva, two males and four females, and IMO the tank is too small for them. Not enough room for sparring males and one of them gets whomped daily. Cramped rainbowfish = aggressive (with other) rainbowfish

They supposedly max at 3.5", however these guys are pretty new to the hobby so information on behaviour and growth is rather scarce.

I'm spawning them, ATM, and have fry in my grow-out tank. Soon as the fry are juvies, the adults will go into a bigger tank with them to make the school bigger and lessen the aggression. The rest will be sold, most likely.

Now as for your praecox, they will work great, 8 max.

However, I will caution you against putting a gourami or hatchetfish in with the rainbowfish. Gouramis can be aggressive and rainbows are an "in your face" kind of fish. Bows also use the whole tank to swim -- they don't stay in the middle -- and are surface feeders.

I've had 3 spot gouramis attack and kill two of my female Boesemani. This is just my experience, YMMV.

Hatchetfish are very delicate and surface fish, I think you may have some problems there with the rainbows out-competing them at dinner time and possibly hurting them. I'm basing this on what I know of each specie. I've not kept hatchetfish.

Roan

 

[Akysten]

As posted elsewhere... my 350 won't fit.. So I'm between the Emperor 280 and some more powerful Whisper or Aquaclear...

I can run the 280 on max... the Whisper has a flow control.. I'm sort of leaning towards the Emperor or the Whisper... any experience with this?

 

[Roan Art]

I have tons of Emperors and Penguins. Yes, I like them. No experience with the other types.

Roan

 

[misopeenut]

talk about overkill, eheim 2213 on 7 gallon with pressurized co2

 

[Roan Art]

talk about overkill, eheim 2213 on 7 gallon with pressurized co2

Only you, misopeenut, only you.

Roan

 

[Akysten]

I guess one last question... I've pretty much decided on the biowheel...
I've returned the 350 this evening, so I'm starting from scratch...

Here is the question...

37 gallon, what would you use..

Emperor 280 vs Penguin 350 with notched crossbar.

I like the idea of the flow control and the spraybar on the emperor... but now i don't know if the 280 is enough. I LIKE overkill. Maybe not a 2213 on a 7...
Hmmm a 2213... if had a different stand, I could use this!