which filter and preparing water for setup

[Zenz]

Hi!!

I'm new to this forum and returning to this hobby after many years away. I gave up the hobby many years ago but have a renewed interest now that my son is old enough to enjoy it with me. I'm so impressed with all of the new information available and am very excited to get started!

First a little description of the future tank. It is 29 gallons and will be lightly planted. We have not yet decided on the fish but it will be warm fresh water.

Now a couple of questions.

Which filter would be best?

Eheim 2232
or Rena xp1

I believe that rena xp1 said it was up to 45 gallons and the eheim 2232 said up to 35 gallons but I don't know what stats really matter here.

Obviously, we want to have as few cleanings as possible and consider that the price for the two is basically the same.


Next question is regarding the water preparation.

Do I need to do any specific testing for the tap water first? Or can I just follow the instructions on the decholorinator and go from there?

We will be doing fishless cycling as well.

Thanks in advance for the input!

 

[Rbishop]

i wouls just go with a HOB...such as an AC50.

No filter will reduce the need for gravel vacs and cleaning by you.

Get a good liquid test kit, like the one by API, that can do ammonia, nitrites and nitrates.

 

[Zenz]

Thank you Bob!

We got an API test kit (haven't opened it yet). It tests everything.

I am wanting a canister so that it will be quiet and so that I can add c02 later for plants if we need it.

 

[OldMan47]

Welcome to the forum Zenz. I am running an XP1 on one of my 29s and it does a good job. As Bob said, it will not replace water changes but it will reduce the number of times you need to clean the filter compared to a typical HOB. I also returned after a few years away and was blown away by how much the hobby had changed and how much it had not. There is a lot more information readily available and equipment is much better than it was 10 or 20 years ago but the principle of looking after the water and the fish will take care of themselves still works. Modern dechlorinators like Prime work almost instantly so there is no advance storing water for water changes. I temperature match water by how it feels on my hand and treat it. Then I carry the bucket to the tank and in it goes with no waiting. People even run a hose, they call it a python, directly into the tank and dump in the water treatment while the tank fills up. I never could bring myself to do that but I hear it works fine.

 

[TMDragon]

Which filter would be best?

Eheim 2232
or Rena xp1

I believe that rena xp1 said it was up to 45 gallons and the eheim 2232 said up to 35 gallons but I don't know what stats really matter here.

Both of those canisters are fine in your case I would say. It now just comes down to personal preference. Look and see which is easier to use and how each works. Things I would look for are how each canister is primed, shut off valves for easy maintenance, the flow rates etc. Anything that makes your life easier.

Do I need to do any specific testing for the tap water first? Or can I just follow the instructions on the decholorinator and go from there?

It's good to know the parameters of your tap water just for reference, but there's no need to repeatedly check them everytime you do a water change. Add dechlorinator to water straight out of the tap and you are ready to go for water changes. Also like Oldman47 said, make sure the temp is the same before adding it to your tank though. Hope that helps.

 

[Zenz]

Thanks all! I'll take some photos of the process to share!

I went to the shop to purchase the Rena XP1 and they sold me on the Eheim. I just hope it's enough filtration. It says it's for 35 gallons but then I read around here that you should get one rated for double the tank size so it made me question my choice.

Is there a standard to look at to decide the appropriate filter size for the size of the tank? I do think the Eheim is supposed to be easier to maintain from what I've read.

 

[TMDragon]

It says it's for 35 gallons but then I read around here that you should get one rated for double the tank size so it made me question my choice.

That mainly applies to HOBs since water flows through the media, in which case you would check the flow rate to see which would be appropriate for your tanks volume, one that turns over your tanks volume at least 3-5 times per hour. Canisters, however are different because they are closed systems and force water through the media under pressure. So they are very efficient filters, though they don't do much that a couple of HOB can't do, so the same rule of thumb for flow rates don't really apply.

Is there a standard to look at to decide the appropriate filter size for the size of the tank?

I've never heard of any standard so to speak, so we kind of have to trust the manufacturer in a sense, but personally I believe it's mainly trial and error. I've seen and heard some cases where certain canister filters with the similar specs as some others from a different brand perform worse than average. Of course it could have been due to user error, so like I said, can't really be too sure, best to try things out for yourself. Besides, you can always add an HOB in the future if you determine that you need more filtration. My 29 just uses a 350 gph bio-wheel HOB filter and it is more than enough for my tank so I would think you'd be fine. My 90 however has 3 filters running on it, including a powerhead sponge filter, a fluval 405 canister and a 25 gallon wet/dry sump. I have very large fish that produces a lot of waste. :grinyes:

In general though, the canisters for larger tanks will have a higher flow rate and a larger volume, meaning they will be able to hold more media. If anything, I would look at the manufacturers recommendation and gauge from the flow rate.

Btw :welcome: to AC!

 

[Star_Rider]

flow rate is relative.

add more media to any filter and you will alter the flow rate. most filter flow rates are rated with NO media.

flow rate has to do with how much water passes thru the filter media and is important for mechanical filtration. bio media will exist in the tank, on surfaces and in the media in the filter.

cannisters are considered more desirable for planted tanks as you can reduce splash and surface agitation.. with a little creativity you can do the same for HOB's.
flow rate is important in several aspects including circulation in the tank to help reduce dead spots and flow thru the media to capture waste and flo thru media to help established bacteria.

which filter you choose is a matter of what you like.
both HOB and cannisters are effective.