Experience with this equipment

#1
Well I am getting totally new equipment for my 20 gallon planted.

I'm planning to get T5 lighting to give my plants the much needed light: Silver Luminarie Reflector with 2 x 24W Lamps - 24 in. | T5 Lighting | Lighting Systems | Aquarium - ThatPetPlace.com

I'm also planning on getting a Penguin 200 filter and an Aqueon Submersible 100W Heater

Heater: https://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/236421/product.web
Filter:https://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/213833/product.web

I was wondering if anyone has had any bad/good experience with any of this equipment, or would like to suggest anything better then what I'm going with right now, I would love it. I would like it all to be good quality, I'm not going cheap on this.

Thanks
-Missy
 

Lotus

Ultimate Fish
Moderator
Aug 26, 2003
15,115
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Southern California
home.earthlink.net
#2
If you're planning on CO2, a Bio-Wheel filter isn't the best choice. It will outgas a lot of DIY CO2, although it would probably be fine with pressurized.

I generally get Jager heaters, just because I've had good experiences with them.

The lights look nice :)
 

TabMorte

Superstar Fish
Jan 17, 2008
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#3
I have a penguin 200. I rather like it but don't use the extention on the intake just plug the end right into the top part (if that make sense) it will work better.

I like it. It was a bit noisy at first but now it's working very smoothly and seems to do a good job of filtering the water and agitating the surface with out making a pile of noise.
 

alter40

Superstar Fish
Nov 26, 2007
1,293
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Charlotte, NC
#4
My penguin filters both seemed to make quite a bit of noise at first but got much quieter after a week or two.

I don't use the intake extension either because there just isn't any room for it in my 10g. I love the filters though and would recommend them to others!
 

pwrmacG4

Superstar Fish
Jan 16, 2008
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My LFS!
#7
the only thing I would say.. is that the biowheel 200 I had.. now erics 200... was a little noisy until you have the water lever just right. but other than that.. I would say you are going to do just fine. what are you using for substrate?
 

TabMorte

Superstar Fish
Jan 17, 2008
1,470
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#9
I've never used that heater either. I have a Hagens Elite 50 in my 10 (which I love) and a Marineland 20-40 100W in my 30 (which I do not love so much).

A lot of people recommend the stealth heaters too. If I replace my 100W heater that's what I'm going with.
 

#12
what are you using for substrate?
Currently using gravel, but I will be getting some sand in there once my dad takes me down to home depot

I have a Hagens Elite 50 in my 10 (which I love)
I have a Hagen Elite in my tank right now, not doing to well for me
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When I get the new lights 'n such, the tank is going to have an open top, is there anyway that I can cover it with somthing, so the fish don't jump out, and the cat doesn't jump in?
 

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TabMorte

Superstar Fish
Jan 17, 2008
1,470
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#14
I have a Hagen Elite in my tank right now, not doing to well for me
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Mine took a bit of fussing to get it where I wanted it. It worked a lot better when I put the heater right beside the filter intake as well (I think if you have a veritical filter this is the best set up no matter hwat you use). Now it's held steadily at 78F for like 6 months so I'm pretty happy with it.

With the sand make sure you rinse it. And then rinse it some more. And when you think you're done rinse it again! Trust me. There can not possibly be too much rinsing. But when it's done the HD play sand looks REALLY nice. I'm going to substitute my 10G with it as soon as I finish setting up the 29.
 

#15
Mine took a bit of fussing to get it where I wanted it. It worked a lot better when I put the heater right beside the filter intake as well (I think if you have a veritical filter this is the best set up no matter hwat you use). Now it's held steadily at 78F for like 6 months so I'm pretty happy with it.
Your heater kicks my current heaters butt then. Mine just keeps heating and heating and heating.... Good thing I'm getting a new one!