Please help me here .......

Markos

New Fish
Apr 30, 2003
4
0
0
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#1
I'm in the process of setting up a 55 gallon tank. Which I will like to fill with tropical fishes and some aquatic plants. I've been doing my research on different components needed to have a proper established aquarium. But, still, I can't decide which filter will work best in my aquarium. I came with this possible products:

a)Emperor Power Filter 400GPH
b)Fluval Canister Filter from Hagen, Model 404 (or should i get a 304?)
c)Magnum 350 Pro Canister Filter System by Marineland
d)maybe a combination of power filter and a canister (but which HOT and which canister?!)

I will like to hear ( actually, read :) ) everything that you guys can tell me about this filters, so I can make an intelligent decision before buying anything.

Thanks :)
 

Last edited:

Pooky125

Large Fish
Oct 22, 2002
565
0
0
36
Corvallis, Or
#4
The emperors are very nice filters, but pricey to keep up, the new filter cartridges cost about 20 bucks a box, and theres only 4 in a box. I've heard very good things and very bad things about the magnum, never owned one myself, however, I do have a fluval. Nice filter, quite, unless you don't have the water high enough. Keeps the tank clean, easy to maintain ect. Personally, I say canister is the way to go. Most people who are partial to canister filters tho, prefure the Eheims. Best filters on the market. There pricey, but well worth the cost.
 

#6
Well Markos I hope my e-mail doesn't come in too late. I do have a 55 G tank and I am convinced that the best filtration and less maintenance combination for it is the following:

1. A couple of H.O.T. Magnums with one BioWheel each. These work like a power filter, have different cartridges that you can use for carbon or additional Biological media (I added the little sqaures for additional biological action) and you clean the HOTs every 6 weeks, not every week like the Whispers III I used to have. (NICE!)
2. Either a Fluval 404 or an EHEIM canister filter. I have the EHEIM professional II (I think it is a 2026).

Note: The Eheim costs a lot more than the Fluval. I also have a Fluval 304 on a 46 G tank. I often compare them. I noticed that the Eheim always starts without needing any pumping etc. The Fluval almost always needs some help. The price diference is so big that I am willing to live with the Fluval. One of the things that the EHeim has that is great is the mechanical filter pad called Ehfisynth and is not easy to find. Buy this media in Thatfishplace.com and use it in the Fluval.

By the way, the best prices on all filters are on BIGALSONLINE.com. For some reason they try to have all the equipment less that the other two major competitors (ThatFishPlace, PETSOLUTIONS0. The DRSFOSTERSMITH.com place is usually substantially more expensive than everyone else.

I hope this helps and have fun with the new 55 G tank.

:cool: