Which filter would work best?

So I have a brackish water tank with a GSP in it. I am going to upgrade his tank and it is a known fact GSP are dirty little things. So I want to over filtrate this upgrade as much as possible. As well this is a planted tank. I have 3 filters for options. I am wanting an HOB and put on a 20 gallon tank. These are the options, in order of which I was considering best to least, but I want your opinion as well. Keep in mind I plan to go carbon-less as well with the filters.

Imagine Bio Power Filter 75 : [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Removes organic film and dust from the water surface Delivers oxygen rich surface water to the filter which enhances the growth of nitrifying bacteria A special skimmer valve also allows water intake from the middle and bottom of the aquarium Provides complete water circulation and filtration For freshwater or marine aquariums Includes 2 BIO 3 Filter Cartridges Filters 350 gph and is rated for tanks up to 75 gallons.

Aquaclear110 Power Filter : [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Provides mechanical and biological filtration for both fresh and salt water. Include sponge and carbon bag to get you started. Filter 428 gph and is rated for aquariums up to 110 gallons.

Whisper EX70 Power Filter : [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Simple set-up - it is ready to go right out of the box, you only have to adjust the intake tube to the proper depth and plug it in. Simple operation - Timestrip tells you when to change the carbon filter. Access door stays in place while changing filter. Carrier for filter keeps your hands away from dirty cartridges and virtually eliminates drips on floors and furniture. Submerged motor requires less maintenance than previous external models. Scientifically engineered water flow - Rounded shape creates circular flow that prevents sediment from forming in bottom of system chamber. Water is forced through new multi-density carbon filters that suspend the carbon for greater contact and improved filtration. New non-clogging bio-scrubber forces all water to flow over its entire surface. No bypass is allowed. The bristle design provides more surface area for biological conversion of toxic ammonia to harmless compounds. For 45 - 70 gallon aquariums. Filters 340 gph.

No question the 110 will perform the best. Imagine bio power filters are poorly made for sure. Used to sell them at the old shop I managed.

OK definitely good to know the price is close enough that doesn't make deciding factor for me.

So next question, do you or anyone know the dimensions of this exact model?

I don't remember exactly but I want to say it's 14 inches long and like 5.5 inches wide from the back of the tank.

Aquarium Co-Op wrote:I don't remember exactly but I want to say it's 14 inches long and like 5.5 inches wide from the back of the tank.

Awesome! Thanks Cory!

I have a AC110 on my 40B with the hairy puffer and another on my 72g bowfront (along with an Eheim 2217). The initial investment is a bit more but you save in the long run because you do not have to constantly buy disposable cartridges. You can rinse the foam in tank water and continue to reuse.

Ive also owned the AC70 which is also an excellent filter.

I have a Tetra EX30 that Ive never used but would not recommend it due to media cost. The cheapest I could find the replacements were at kensfish. Only reason I have it was because it was cheap and its just an emergency back up filter. $17 on sale with a $10 rebate.

Wouldn't the 110 create a metric ton of current in such a small tank? (not sure how much current they like though).

I like 110's btw, despite being a pain to clean, great filters, but I've only used them on larger tanks hence the current question.

I don't know what a GSP is but I hope it's a strong swimmer!    I can't imagine a 110 on a 20 gallon tank. Think about a 70, or maybe two, a 50 & a 30.

My 110 is 13.5" across, 7" front to back, and 9" top to bottom.

GSP = Green Spotted Puffer

Hi ShortyKiloGyrl,

Here is a great resource for comparing power filters: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Hagen AquaClear 110 500 gph 13 ½" X 4"

I agree with the Aquaclear recommendation; the adjustable output and horizontally configured media make it a real winner. I run mine with sponges only. Aquaclear are the only type HOB I use. It is also easy to get replacement parts.

Seattle_Aquarist wrote: Hagen AquaClear 110 500 gph 13 ½" X 4"  

It is 4" from back of filter to back of tank. The 7" measurement I gave was across the top counting the overhang. I run mine with sponges and mesh bags of bio-media.

DMD123 wrote:GSP = Green Spotted Puffer

Thanks.

I run an AC70 on a 30 gallon with the flow turned all the way down and the current is just low enough to be comfortable to the inhabitants. If the water gets to low and a water fall develops the current becomes to much.

I recommend doubling specified filtration but a AC110 I believe will be to much flow. I like Aquaclear HOB's for their versatility. All my tanks have double the rated filtration in media and do well.

fishNAbowl wrote:I recommend doubling specified filtration but a AC110 I believe will be to much flow. I like Aquaclear HOB's for their versatility. All my tanks have double the rated filtration in media and do well.  

I have always used that as a rule of thumb. Whatever a manufacturer recommends, basically cut in half. I find this is really the size filter you should be using.

I went back and looked again at the original post, so to clarify, is this HOB going on a 20 gallon? If so I would use an AC50, the AC110 will create way to much current.

DMD123 wrote:

fishNAbowl wrote:I recommend doubling specified filtration but a AC110 I believe will be to much flow. I like Aquaclear HOB's for their versatility. All my tanks have double the rated filtration in media and do well.  

I have always used that as a rule of thumb. Whatever a manufacturer recommends, basically cut in half. I find this is really the size filter you should be using.

I went back and looked again at the original post, so to clarify, is this HOB going on a 20 gallon?  If so I would use an AC50, the AC110 will create way to much current.

 

I have 20G tanks with both 50's and 70's on them. The 50's definately give the tank a lower and gentler flow. Another thing I do with my Aquaclears is use a plastic bottle (cut the middle section and then cut in half) draped over the back and outflow to divert the flow from going straight across the tank and causing it to go sideways down the back. This works great in my tanks needing "lower" flow. So I still get the great filtration without all that movement. Fish are happy happy.

Awesome. Thanks everyone! This is why I like to ask on here. I didn't consider there being too much flow. I will go with the AC50.

ShortyKiloGyrl wrote:Awesome. Thanks everyone! This is why I like to ask on here. I didn't consider there being too much flow. I will go with the AC50.

  

The Aquaclear is a great filter. Now that that has been said, I also really like the Penguins by Marineland. They are very inexpensive and the way they design the output on them work great for not making tank current but a good surface current. I also like the fact if you stay with the 200 and 350 models they use the same cartridge. The bad is that they use disposable cartridges that contain carbon so you would have to modify them to not use it. I just threw it out there because for the money I think they are pretty decent filters. Likely can get two for the price of an aquaclear.

I'm a diehard aquaclear user, but I've recently bought a couple of the new penguin filters and so far I like them. What compelled me to try something else is the noise factor with the AC impellers. The penguin impellers are much quieter, but due to the outflow angle, if the water level is not at the top, the waterfall noise is substantial. I use the plastic insert and attach a sheet of blue filter pad that will last for along time.

I had the 350 on a 29 gallon and no issue with a current. But like was mentioned that was with the water level high enough.

Can always add this for bio
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I just added bioballs in the second slot of my 170 ... which also help calm some of the high current issues in my 20 long.

I would prefer more quiet because the tanks are close to the bedroom and you can hear the water noise at night. So, with that note, with water fall noise and propeller noise which would be the most quiet?

ShortyKiloGyrl wrote:I would prefer more quiet because the tanks are close to the bedroom and you can hear the water noise at night. So, with that note, with water fall noise and propeller noise which would be the most quiet?

A small canister within a closed stand.

fishNAbowl wrote:

ShortyKiloGyrl wrote:I would prefer more quiet because the tanks are close to the bedroom and you can hear the water noise at night. So, with that note, with water fall noise and propeller noise which would be the most quiet?

A small canister within a closed stand.

I have thought about this as well. Any advice for this option?

I just spontaneously threw out the suggestion.  Didn't know if you where interested. Being a sump and HOB guy I ran into this canister. I've grown to like it. It's a PX360 from Finnex. In cased under a stand it's completely silent. If I put my ear up to it I can hear a dull humming noise. This canister has as much media in it as my AC70. I've expanded the water lines and added ball valves to reach under the stand and adjust water flow if needed. The ball valves also allow me to disconnect with very little water spillage when disconnecting. This filter is rated to up to 25 gallons and made to handle a lot of bio load.

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A canister in a stand would be quiet but not as cheap. I really like the Eheim classic for being so quiet but they would likely be overkill for a 20g.

I guess I would try a penguin 200 for about $20 (online) before dropping big dollars on a canister.

I have one of these,
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and an aquaclear 30 on a standard 20 and it's not a lot of current. I really like 2 filters per tank for a number of reasons.

I think an eheim 2213 would also be nice.

For noise, in general (remember there are always exceptions) I've found the impellers to be quieter on the Penguins and the return noise when the tank is full is also quieter. However, when the tank level drops the Aquaclear takes the lead.

Aquaclear is also better at mechanical filtration, which I imagine will be a bit deal with a puffer. But for maintenance time, the penguin wins hands down.

I've got a 75G outside our mbr with 2 Eheim 2217's. Quiet as mice. Can't hear them from 5 feet away sitting at the computer. The big canisters have room for lots of media (mine came with all of it), and the hoses have separate attachments but have quick releases with inline valves so you can remove it easily for cleaning.

Also, I have a 29G isolation tank I'm cycling in the garage. It came with a Penguin 150 from the previous owner who had 3 goldfish in it. I bought an AC50 because I liked the idea of flexible media areas. I've had the Penguin running since I brought it home a couple weeks ago, and set the AC50 up just tonight. Noticeably louder vibration/rattle noise from the AC50. Surprisingly so. It's in my garage, so I don't care all that much, but I was a little taken aback. Maybe it will smooth out over the first few days. I'll let you know if it does. I like the media flex and the siphon setup/adjustable outflow of the AC50, but the silence and the surface flow of the penguin is pretty nice, although I dislike the filter cartidges. Good idea above, to cut the sponge off one of the plastic frames and then attach your own sponge/filter floss or bio.

If it were me (and no fiscal constraints), I'd probably go for a small canister like the Eheim 2213 or one of the small cascade or aquatops. Maybe a small penguin or AC30 for support filtering as a second filter. The HOB filters seem to have better "suction range" at the intake than my Eheims do in the big tank. Purely subjective and observational based opinion on that.