The best filter for my 38 gallon

N

Newbie101balla

AC Members
Jul 29, 2006
38
0
0
HI I currently have a 38 gallon tank with a whisper 30 filter that came with it i thought it would be fine with the tank but in reality it's not because it's made for up to only 30 gallons. Another thing thats important to me is noise i want a filter that is as quit as it can get without breaking the bank because my tank is like 5 feet from where i sleep.

So please tell me the best filter that is quit and would be adequate for my tank. Some people say that you need enough filteration for a tank double your size.

Exaple you have a 20g and get a whisper 40 which is good for up to a 40 gallon

Also how important is filteration do you even need it as long as your having alot of water changes

And how come betta fish dont need filter
 
filtration is important for it gets rid of ammonia, nirite, and floating particles... you should aim for 5 times as a minimum, 7 to 10 times an hour is more desireable. i would go with a Penguin 150, for they are quiet and only cost around $20-$25
if you dont, i would go with a Whisper Internal Filter 20i, and they cost around $20-$30
bettas do need a filter. people at the Petsmart and Petcos, etc tell you they dont so they can sell you them because then you think that you can just have it in any old bowl. truth is, they need at least 2 gallons with a heater, light, and filter.
 
bettas do better with a filter. the myth exists that because they're naturally from puddles in rice paddies that they don't need filtration. the filter helps remove particles that dirty your water and helps remove ammonia and nitrite if you have a surface for nitrifying bacteria (like a mechanical filter media or Bio Sponge). If you keep the betta in a small amount of water with no filter, you need to change water more often (like everyday) to keep the waste from building up.

Filtration does not replace tank cleaning, but just helps keep your tank cleaner through mechanical filtration (removing large particles) and biological filtration (bacteria converting ammonia to nitrite, to nitrate). Many folks also use chemical filtration, primarily carbon, to remove certain toxins, but I do without. Even with good filtration, I still do 50% water changes twice a week because a cleaner environment is healthier for my fish. However, if I didn't have a filter, I'd probalby have to do those water changes everyday to help circulate water and remove wastes.

In terms of recommended filtration, I usually strive for 10 times my tank volume per hour. That means that for your 38 gal, try for at least 350 gallons per hour (because your gravel and decorations will use up some of the tank's 38 gal max capacity). good, cheap filtration choices are all going to be hang-on-tanks. larger Whisper 60 does 300gph and costs about $35-$45. The ones I'd recommend for performance and cost are Aquaclear 70 (300 gph) for about $30 or Marineland's Penguin BioWheel 350 (350 gph) at about $35-$40. The other kinds of filtration are all going to be more expensive (canister, wet/dry).

To make your HOB's (hang on back, or hang on tank) quiet, just raise the water level so that there's less splashing. If the filter itself is noisy, maybe there's something wrong with its impeller mechanism. Is that the right term for the little propeller thing that turns to produce suction?

edit: jm beat me to it while i was writing this novel!
 
plah831 said:
Filtration does not replace tank cleaning, but just helps keep your tank cleaner through mechanical filtration (removing large particles) and biological filtration (bacteria converting ammonia to nitrite, to nitrate). Many folks also use chemical filtration, primarily carbon, to remove certain toxins, but I do without. Even with good filtration, I still do 50% water changes twice a week because a cleaner environment is healthier for my fish. However, if I didn't have a filter, I'd probalby have to do those water changes everyday to help circulate water and remove wastes....
Click to expand...
well said


plah831 said:
edit: jm beat me to it while i was writing this novel!
Click to expand...
lol im a fast typer
 
thanks for the help guys is there anywhere online where i can get the penguin 350 for a cheap price that is also safe

if you can please copy and paste the link
 
I order from Drs Foster and Smith for most of my aquarium equipment. However, if you take this printout and show it to a manager at Petsmart, they will match the price. You get to save on shipping completely! Haven't done it myself, but it's been the talk on AC.

here's the link to the Penguin Bio-Wheel 350
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12320&N=2004+22769
It's on sale right now for $28! Don't know if Petsmart will match sale prices, tho.
 
PetSmart online price is $26.99; they will match this price.

BTDT, Got two of these filters in my 29 gallon tanks (one each....)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom