Which filter do you recommend and why?

**Vee** · 03-08-2008, 04:22 PM

My 15g tank is up and running great. Crystal clear water, 0 nitrogen levels...everything seems to be perfect right now.

I am using a Marineland Penguin 150 with a biowheel.

I have read a bit on the site about the Aquaclear brand and people seem to prefer them.

So my question is which filter do I buy for my new 55g tank? I will be using the mechanical filter that came with it, but know that it will not provide the bio filtration needed. It will act solely as backup mechanical filtration. I will purchase one of the following:

1. Penguin 350 with dual biowheels
2. Aquaclear 70 with "waterfall"?

Like I said, I am very happy with the performance of the penguin 150 I have, but am always open for newer better stuff. The price difference is negligible so that is not a factor. I do not know how the aquaclear's wet/dry works as I cannot tell by the pictures on the box or online. I am interested in the experience you have had.

opinions?

**gm72** · 03-08-2008, 04:26 PM

Remember to approximately cut the rating of the filter in half. I would recommend an Aquaclear 110.

**Vee** · 03-08-2008, 04:31 PM

Originally Posted by gm72

Remember to approximately cut the rating of the filter in half. I would recommend an Aquaclear 110.

Okay. But that's a new one to me.

Why?

**gm72** · 03-08-2008, 04:35 PM

Dead quiet, powerful, large media capacity.

**Vee** · 03-08-2008, 04:37 PM

bigger is always better...

But is the aquaclear just quieter or is it a better filter?

**gm72** · 03-08-2008, 04:37 PM

Most of us will tell you both.

**Vee** · 03-08-2008, 04:45 PM

Don't mean to be a pain, and as new to this hobby as I am, I trust all your opinions, but can you elaborate a bit as to WHY the aquaclear is a better brand?

I ask because my lfs only stocks the penguins so I would have to order the aquaclears.....well and because of my uhhhhhhh great thirst for knowledge

**gm72** · 03-08-2008, 05:01 PM

In my experience they are more reliable over the long haul. They are also far more quiet than a biowheel, no splashing.

Check out the AC 110 here:
http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS...110powerfilter

**NickFish** · 03-08-2008, 05:08 PM

They are more reliable, better built, and more advanced filtration media, than other brands. Don't forget quieter and more efficient design, allowing all water to pass through all the media.

Standard filtration for a 55 gallon would be an aquaclear 110, however if you want to go above and beyond getting 2 aquaclear 70s instead, while not nessesary, would be better than a single 110. Since having one big filter can really mess up your water parameters when you clean it out or change the media around.

Aquaclears are great on a budget, and almost as good as canisters while staying at a fraction of the price!

**Ellen4God** · 03-08-2008, 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by NickFish

Aquaclears are great on a budget, and almost as good as canisters while staying at a fraction of the price!

That sounded like a PERFECT promotional line for AC. lol

I don't have much to add to the conversation. I have a Penguin Biowheel right now. I'm considering changing to AC or a canister.