Rookie needs advice

[Flee187]

Just recently found this board and am in need of some help. It's been about 10 years since I had an aquarium and now as I get older I would like the serenity of an aquarium. Anyhow, just some quick questions. The tank I plan on purchasing is a 30 gallon. Heaters, whats the most reliable and sturdy brand these days? Hang-on filters- I am considering either the penguin emperors or the new penguin biowheels. I can't seem to tell the difference except the emperor series has a higher price. Thanks for any insight!
Cheers,

 

[Jerm]

Don't get a whisper....... ugh... the horrors of whisper... :rant:

 

[Halo]

I use the old penguin 330 series biowheel filters and I've never had issue with them. Not sure about the new model 400's though.

 

[aquanewb7]

I have a 33 gallon tank, using an Aquaclear 200 filter (now has a different model number I think) and having good results with it. You can get different types of media for it and it runs very quietly, especially when the tank is topped up! As for heaters, I am using an Ebo-Jager 125 watt heater, and it keeps the tank at a very constant temperature. I would highly recommend both products. I too am getting back in the hobby after not having a tank for a while , and this is a great place for advice !

 

[chefkeith]

If you don't want to deal with the danger of a glass heater breaking, go with a Via Aqua Titanimum heater. They cost about the same. Another plus is that there is an external control for controlling the heat.

I'll never go back to glass heaters or Ebo's.

There are mixed reviews with Penguins and Aquaclears. I guess it depends on what kind of tank your going to have. I went with Penguin for a 10g snail tank. If it was a planted tank, I'd probably go with Aquaclear. If not planted, I'd go with Penguin because I like bio-wheel's.