What Power Filter?

[pazbich3]

I currently have a 30 gal tank setup with a Penguin Bio-Wheel 150 (up to 30g). I just got a 20 gal which will need a new filter on it. Do I put the current Penguin filter on the 20 and upgrade to a new one for the 30 gal tank? If so what brand do you reccomend (as well as size)? I've been quite content with the penguin I have, however I do know that the Aquaclear are one of the best HOB filters....

One more thing...Should a Tronic 150w heat suffice for the 20gal tank?

Thanks!

[rich311k]

I would get an AC50 for the 30 gallon and move the current filter to the twenty. That heater will do just fine.

[pazbich3]

Thanks for the quick reply....that's what I was leaning towards...always nice to have another opinion though. It will make cycling the new 20gal tank much faster as well.

I'm guessing I"ll need to keep some media to put in the AC50 so I can seed it once I do the switch?

[rich311k]

I would run both filters on the current tank for two weeks and then you should be good to go on the new one.

[Northernguy]

I would run both filters on the current tank for two weeks and then you should be good to go on the new one.
Good plan but split the cycled media between the two filters.It will just assure you that they are both cycled by then.

[KingFisher]

I run an AC70 on my 29g and it works great. If you want a lot of filtration, I would check into getting one of those. An AC50, as Rich said, would be adequate though.

[rich311k]

Good plan but split the cycled media between the two filters.It will just assure you that they are both cycled by then.

Great idea.

[pazbich3]

Hmm, neve thought of that, however I'm not sure if I would be able to do it as I have limited room on my 30gal because of the hood/light fixture.

[Sarkazmo]

I'd suggest another Penguin. IMO the bio-wheel is the best filter out there.

Sark

[jaysee]

I'd suggest another Penguin. IMO the bio-wheel is the best filter out there.

Sark

I like the bio wheels too, and love my emperors. Only thing they could do to make them better is add adjustable flow. However, I strongly dislike the penguins. I've had several, and feel they are poorly designed. One of the bigger issues I have with them is that they do not restart on their own, like after a power outage. Also, they aren't very good at handling custom media - it fouls up the wheel because of the wheel position. Lastly (for the main points), the water that spins the wheel is already filtered. The emperors do it right, with spraybars that shoot unfiltered water over the wheels. The unfiltered water has much more ammonia, which allows the wheel to maintain bigger, stronger bacteria colonies.

[pazbich3]

Well my tank has been doin pretty well for quite a while now (1 1/2 years) with only the Penguin 150 (150gph) So upgrading to an AC50 (200gph) should be much better.

I currently am running TWO cartridges in the Penguin, so once I get the 20gal up and running, I will split up the cartridges between the two tanks!

One last questions: Should I be adding fish right away to the new 20gal when I get the media in it? Since it will need an ammonia source...

[rich311k]

Yes you will want to add some fish right away.