Walmart filters

[Cliffs]

Just starting up with 2, 55 gallon Walmart tanks. Is there a way to use the 2 power/hanging filters that came with the kits more effeciently. Maybe run the intake to the other side of the tank instead of right under the filter. Any ideas to make it more like a filter wheel where I don't through away bacteria when filters are changed. Maybe use them as a secondary filter with a biowheel filter?. There was a link from a post about PH that had info about how filters work and suggested these filter can be made into good particulate filters or accepable t bio filter but dosn't explain how. Thanks in advance for any help

[cocoa_pleco]

throw 10 ceramic-rings in the HOB

[Cliffs]

What does that mean? Don't use them

[cocoa_pleco]

oh sorry, i was sleeping there.:wink2:


Get some aquarium ceramic rings. Theyre little round tubes that are white and chalky. Place them anywhere in your filter. They hold massive ammounts of bacteria and hold 10X more bacteria than without them.

[Lady Hobbs]

Yes, use them with a secondary filter. Doesn't necessarily have to be a bio-wheel but another filter that is rated for above what your tank is. Aqua Tech has a 110 that has a good rating, and Emperors are good as well as Penguins. But once again, get the highest rated. Emperor would be the 400 and Penquin 350.

If not those then a canister filter. The filters they give you are not enough for a 55 gallon. No matter what you got one would not be enough. You need clean up on both ends of the tank.

[cocoa_pleco]

canisters are great. If you can shell out 100 bucks, thats the best idea

[blue fin]

canisters are great. If you can shell out 100 bucks, thats the best idea
I'll second that...love mine, has really helped keep my tank healthy!!

[Cliffs]

Thanks everyone for the responds. I was thinking of maybe using the 2 filters I got with the 2 tanks and use them on one tank and put Koi in that one and get a good filter for the other for tropical fish.

[Lady Hobbs]

You most likely got an Aqua Tech with your tank which is a good filter but the problem being that one filter is not enough no matter what kind you get. That filter may do the job for 6 fish but if you want a well stocked tank, as most of us do, it won't do the job alone.

There will be stuff you don't want on the opposite end of the tank that needs removal as well plus will give better aeration having two.

What I would do was use the filter that come with each tank on each tank and pick up two more to use with conjunction with those two. You don't have to run out and buy two more this minute but once those tanks are both stocked you will need two.

One little tip that I found out.....The Emporer is a great filter but the hood pop- out for a filter will barely leave room for the emporer. It is just a tad larger and you almost have to jam it in the opening and then the top of it won't fit snuggly so tends to vibrate a bit. It also will not fit on the right side of the tank as the brace is in the way. The emporer is a very good filtering device but I ended up buying a glass top so I could make my own cut-out for it. It also needs more wall clearance.....I moved my tank 5 inches from the wall to accomodate it. Penquins and Aqua Techs fit in any of the openings.

[A340]

I'm assuming you have got the Aqua Tec 30-60 filter with the kit?

If so, they are good filters, but you'll need at least 2 of them for a 55g. I had one on my 29g tank and it was struggling to keep the tank clean. However, they are nice and quiet.

One thing I have learned about aquariums is that a kit is usually not the way to go. Mainly because they throw in the most basic of equipment that you will need and you will find yourself upgrading in a matter of weeks or even days. However, sometimes the kits (especially from Wal Mart) are usually cheaper then just the tank alone at some pet stores.

In regards to adding ceramic rings to a filter. Does it matter where you put them in a filter? For example, if you added them in the Aqua Tec, you'd have to dump them infront of the carbon inserts and sponges. Yet on my AC filters, they are the last stage after the sponge and carbon inserts.

Patrick :22:

[Lady Hobbs]

You are very correct about these kits. Walmarts 55 gallon kit is $158. However, I can get a 75 gallon with nothing else for $129. I don't want the hoods.......I want glass tops.......and I would replace the filters so getting the kit is not the best way to go but for some it's the only way to go if they have no where to get a large tank or (like me) can't get it in the car or have no one to help load/unload.

[cocoa_pleco]

WHY AM I PAYING SO MUCH? my wal-mart has 55g's for 258$, and if you figure out the canadian-american exchange rate i still pay more

[Drumachine09]

WHY AM I PAYING SO MUCH? my wal-mart has 55g's for 258$, and if you figure out the canadian-american exchange rate i still pay more

Sounds like you are getting the sharp end of the stick, huh?

[Lady Hobbs]

Ouch. Even the other store in town had them for sale for $20 less last month. I think once PetSmart opens here, prices will go down in the others. I assume because All Glass company is in the US and you have shipping for everything there and import fees, etc.

[A340]

WHY AM I PAYING SO MUCH? my wal-mart has 55g's for 258$, and if you figure out the canadian-american exchange rate i still pay more
$250 seems to be the norm for a 55g kit in Canada. I've seen various brands selling for that price. Petland usually sells them for about $400, but they also charge $5.00 for a Neon and $180 for a AC110 filter. Mind you, when they changed ownership about a year and a half ago, the manager was trying to get rid of as much stock as he could, so he sold the 55g kits for $130, I should have grabbed one.

There is another LFS here that sells these kits for $350, with a big sticker on them claiming that they are 50% off and the regular price is $700! Yeah, ummmm, ok, sure .... :flipa:


Patrick :22: