Filtration & Heater Suggestions

[MeganL3985]

I have a 29 gallon (regular) that i'm starting to plan....I was researching fish and habitats but didn't even think to ask if you guys could give me some suggestions for filtration and heating. I know sometimes the fish determine the filtration, so just for reference, i'm probably going to get a few dwarf gouramis and a couple oto's.

[Drumachine09]

An AC 50 or an AC 70 would be a great filter.

A 100-150 watt heater would be good too.

[RobbieG]

I'd go with either a Whisper 60 or AC 70 for the filter and either a 150 or 200 watt heater.

I've used the Whispers and they work well and have 2 media chambers = my favorites are the Aqua Clears

I don't know the brand name of the heaters that I use - I threw the boxes out a long time ago and they don't say anything on them - they have a silver diamond pattern on them and the temperature in my tank stays pretty solid with them.

[MeganL3985]

Who makes the AC 50/70? Or is that just a general number for any type of filter?

[RobbieG]

Hagen Aqua Clear

I looked up my heater and they are Visi-Therm Deluxe's

[MeganL3985]

Cool Thanks guys :)

[Fishguy2727]

Go with the Visi-Therm Stealth heater, 150 watts.

AquaClear 70 would be a good choice.

[gm72]

The Stealth heaters are absolutely the best. Most people who have them would agree. Rock solid, not made of glass, lifetime warranty.

Remember about 5 watts per gallon for a heater, you'll want about 150.

Edit: Oh, and agreed with the AC, I'd go for the 70.

[Kuli_Loach]

Can't rule out the penguin 350. I also say the stealth heater, best I have every used.

[Fishguy2727]

Biowheels are good, but the AquaClears have a ton of room for media, and will save money by not having to replace cartridges.

[MeganL3985]

You dont have to replace cartridges with the aquaclears?

[Fishguy2727]

You can rinse and re-use the sponge many times, and the Biomax never needs to be replaced. Some people use carbon, but I don't and don't generally recommend it. It can cause more harm than good. Outside of removing meds I wouldn't use it.

[MeganL3985]

Whats a biomax?

[Kuli_Loach]

I rinse my filter cartridge for my biowheel also.

[RobbieG]

The biomax is a bunch of ceramic rings that build up bacteria - they sit on top of the sponge

[Fishguy2727]

Biomax is the biological media in AquaClear, Fluval, and Hagen's other filter lines, like Laguna for ponds. It highly porous ceramic media. I think they may be switching to smaller, solid pellets, they used to be a little larger and had a hollow section running through them. It is a very good biological media. The surface area can compensate for the lack of oxygen when compared to Biowheels.

[Tilmo2180]

Ima throw Rena Filstar XP's out there again...
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That would work for a 29 or even the XP2 if you wanna get crazy filter action. I like the XP filters and Bigals has them for really cheap!

[Kuli_Loach]

What is the advantage and disadvantage to having a canister instead of a HOB filter? Sorry if it is off topic, I am considering a canister.

[Fishguy2727]

Canisters generally have much more media. Most HOBs have a cartridge that is not cheap and not really reusabe. AquaClears are an exception to this. Canisters are also more customizable and when setup right are more effective.

[Kuli_Loach]

Ok, I am really considering putting it on my Christmas list.:c3:

[Tilmo2180]

Canisters offer a much bigger Biological filter area and most have several media baskets. As Fishguy said, you can cusomize what you want to put in each basket and fine tune your tank that way. I like them becuase you get away from the waterfall effect that HOB filters give you. Most media (except the foam pads) are re-useable pretty much forever. Some pads last a while too. Since I got mine I would not go back to HOB, they also take up less room behind the tank making it easier to put the tank closer to the wall, I think it looks funky to have the tank 6-8 inches from the wall.

[Kuli_Loach]

Yup, it is on my Christmas list for sure.thumbs2:

[RobbieG]

That's about the best thing with the AC's - I haven't replaced anything in years.