filter

I LOVE FISH

AC Members
Feb 23, 2007
8
0
0
38
are bio wheel filters the best? becuase i have a 20gal and thinking of buying a 30 gal bio wheel. also how much would it cost?
 
are bio wheel filters the best?
Not necessarily. Depends on what your situation calls for. Here is a few questions I asked myself when I decided on my filter.

Do you want to hear the "babbling brook" sound all the time? Some like it, some don't. If you are looking for a nearly silent filter, a canister might be in line. However, I am sure there are probably one or two HOB and bio-wheels that are fairly quiet. If you like that sound, a HOB or Bio-Wheel would work.

Are you planning to have real plants? If yes, the HOB and bio-wheel may agitate your water too much causing excess gas off. In which case a canister may be a better option. If no, you could use any type.

What's your budget? Canisters are typically more expensive. While a regular HOB will tend to be the cheapest. A bio-wheel would fall in the middle.

Just a few things to ponder in making your selection.
 
For a 20g aquarium I'd consider a small cannister myself. If it isn't in the budget then I'd buy either a aquaclear 30 or 50. Probably the 50. I do have an older penguin 330b that was used on a 50g aquarium and while there was nothing wrong with it I found it too noisy for my tastes and switched it for a cannister.
 
FYI, the off gasing thing for planted tanks is only applicable if you are adding dissolved CO2 to the tank. Otherwise, excess surafce aggitation isn't a bad thing.

Check on the fluval 105. Nice filter. You might even be able to find a cheap 104 still around. It is a canister but remember that you will need more space to put it somewhere, they are much bigger.

Biowheels are fine, though I have never had a problem in 5 years with my aquaclear filters, and no issues with biofiltration while not using one.
 
FYI, the off gasing thing for planted tanks is only applicable if you are adding dissolved CO2 to the tank. Otherwise, excess surafce aggitation isn't a bad thing.

Check on the fluval 105. Nice filter. You might even be able to find a cheap 104 still around. It is a canister but remember that you will need more space to put it somewhere, they are much bigger.

Biowheels are fine, though I have never had a problem in 5 years with my aquaclear filters, and no issues with biofiltration while not using one.

i always forget to add that side note..... this time it wasnt me.... if your not adding co2 there is nothing to gas off.
 
AquariaCentral.com