Equipment for a 55 gallon freashwater tank any ideas?

Katome556

Large Fish
Oct 16, 2006
365
0
0
34
Russell,Kansas
#1
I was thinkings for filters an Emperor bio-wheel filter ,A penguin bio-wheel filter or a Magnum canister filter.For heaters a theo heater , visi-therm stealth heater or Eth in-line heater.For thermometers i was thinking one stick on and a floating one in the tank.Thats pretty well all i could think of if anyone can tell me what would be best i'd be very happy.
 

Nov 14, 2006
157
2
0
Fishers, IN
www.myspace.com
#2
Well, ideally the canister for the filter - it stays out of the way and there isn't a large contraption hanging from your tank! However, those are pretty expensive. I have a 55 and run the Penguin (rated for 80G) on my tank. It does a good job overfiltering, keeping things clean and it stays pretty quiet.
Both my heaters are still fairly generic, but work - haven't upgraded yet. But, i hear the best about the visi-therm stealth's. Lots of people use and really like those. Thermometer sounds fine.
Other things to think of - some people like to add an UGF. IF you are doing a planted tank possibly a CO2 kit. Will you already have a hood and lighting system? Best of luck on your new tank!
 

Katome556

Large Fish
Oct 16, 2006
365
0
0
34
Russell,Kansas
#4
I'd probably have to see what kinda lighting the tank will have before deciding if i need to change it or not but what would you suggest for a good lighting for plants? Also i'm never going with UGF's again they are so messy.I think if i can get a list to my dad of the best stuff for a new tank he'll probably buy it for me if he has the money to spare.
 

Sep 11, 2005
749
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Philadelphia
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#5
My two cents:

It's best to go with two filters rather than one. Especially in tanks larger than 30g or so. Not only will you get more GPH, you will also expand your media options and your filter surface area. But most importantly, you have a backup in case one fails. Other benefits include the ability to maintenance them on a rotating schedule, ensuring that you never accidentally cause a minicycle. And your media will not require cleaning as often since the dirt is spread out between two filters instead of one. Say you had two tanks of the same size and equal bioload, and one had only one filter and the other had two, you would be cleaning the media in the tank with one filter twice as often. So oddly enough, it's cheaper to run the two when it comes to media replacement because you won't do it as often. It's kind of like wearing one pair of shoes every single day compared to wearing either of two or three pairs.

I usually go with a combination HOB and canister.

I hear Stealth heaters are good. Never had one of my own, but I probably never will because I've had nothing but great luck with Rena.

Why do you feel a need for two thermometers? A normal sized tank with a good heater and filtration shouldn't have any manner of drastic temperature differences which would necessitate such a thing.
 

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Katome556

Large Fish
Oct 16, 2006
365
0
0
34
Russell,Kansas
#6
Well sometimes one can be giving you bad readings for the temp so two would insure that won't happen and the odds of both being wrong is highly unlikely.Also Someone could mess with the heater or a heat wave goes through and raises the temp by like 5 degrees which would mean kinda roasted fish.
 

Lotus

Ultimate Fish
Moderator
Aug 26, 2003
15,115
13
38
Southern California
home.earthlink.net
#7
I prefer the in-tank thermometers. The stick-on ones tend to be compromised somewhat by the temperature in the room. The in-tank ones with red alcohol in them are based on very well tested technology, and although the calibration may be off, it's a good way to check that the temp is consistent. The digital ones are kind of nice, too, but more expensive.

I'd go for a HOB/canister combo, too. It gives you lots of filtration as well as the redundancy in case one fails. It also makes sure you don't have dead spots.
 

Jun 1, 2006
50
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0
Stroudsburg, PA
#8
I am running my 55g with a whisper 30-60 an aquamaster 400 and a fluval 404 the more power the better. I have been working on a diy sump and overflow for it but have not found the space on the back of the tank for the box. looks like the whisper will have to go...