how do you filter your planted tank?

[ladyblues1965]

through ponding for several years I have learned that plants do a major job of filtering the water for fish. So my questions are what is your favorite way of filtering your planted tank?
I am getting ready to set up a new 55 gallon tank and want to do it once with no mistakes.
give me your advice on filtering , cleaning ect....
any advice is greatly appreciated
Ladyblues

 

[Star_Rider]

Many prefer cannister filters ..I used a sump (enclosed) other tanks have HOB.

much of it is dependent on how you set up your tank...low maint low light or high maint high light(injected CO2).
the idea is to minimize surface turbulence in the high tech tank to minimize CO2 loss.

 

[Bk718]

For a 55 i would go with a canister. it will keep your water extra clean and your co2 loss to a minimum. Look into the filstar or fluval line.. There are a few other brands but they are pretty expensive.

 

[jmhart]

star_rider pretty much summed it up.

I use cannister filters, specifically:

46g I use an Eheim 2128

45g I use an Eheim 2128 and Magnum 350 for water polishing, this is my show tank.

Both of those are heavily planted and extremely over filtered. The Eheim 2026 would be great for both, but I got a good deal on the 2128's and I plan to put them on a bigger tank one day.

 

[irishspy]

I use an AC20 on my 10g, and it does a fine job. For your size tank, I'd go with a canister filter.

 

[luckydud13]

Canister, but I like the emperor 400 bio wheel

 

[Hurley]

I use a canister on my planted tank. I've got a Rena Filstar XP1 which does the job for me.

 

[p3purr]

If you want low light plants, less maintainance and less set up costs you can go natural with no filter. I go pretty natural at this point, I do have a HOB on one tank because I tend to push fish stocking levels and 2 HOB's on on my native tank because they need the water movement.

 

[Derringer]

I have just set up my first planted aquarium this past week - Its a 75g and I have 2 eheim 2026s canisters. As a no nothing, theres no doubt I over did it with plants - its going to be a jungle in there (probably have enough for a 125)g, so I'm pretty sure the 2 canisters will be just fine.

 

[gregm]

On my 10g heavily planted tank, I use the HOB that came with the tank as well as a canister filter.

On the other two tanks which are also planted, I just use regular HOB filters.