Tank equipment help...

[bubblecandy]

I've been thining about getting a 55g and a 10g. The 10 before the 55. I have a HOB filter for my 29g. Now, my question is this maybe it'll sound a bit confusing because I don't even know what I'm talking about.

I was thinking about getting one of those bio wheel filters and a power head for the 55. right, and putting the 29g filter in the 10g and maybe doing another bio wheel for the 29g. But I was window shopping doing some pricing and I'm like woah! on the filters.

I have been reading up on different filters etc. but I am still confused. I want to give the very best to my fish with out going broke. I'm sure there won't be a place for me to lay my head in my fish tank once I've been evicted for non-payment but cichlids have consumed my brain and I need more.

I need some help please. I know you guys have explainded this a hundred times already but I feel so lost and like I am going to pay wat too much.

 

[snoce]

HOB FILTERS ARENT ALL THAT EXPENSIVE...WELL UNDER $50 DEPENDING ON THE SIZE U NEED...I HAVE 2 PENQUIN 170 WITH BIOWHEEL FOR MY 30GL...THEY WERE LIKE $22 EACH....

 

[FroggyFox]

try looking at www.bigalsonline.com for some more price breaks too.... or the website for Dr foster & smith I agree, the prices for your HOB filters shouldn't be astronomical. I think I paid $30 for the one on my 29.

 

[Cichlid-Man]

Aquaclear filters are some of my favorites and they are pretty inexpensive. They are very strong and can move a lot of water, they also are pretty easy to maintain.

I would also check online. Even after shipping you are probably going to come out better than going to your LFS to buy that stuff.

Personally i don't really see the use of me using a bio-wheel.....but thats just me.

 

[bubblecandy]

Well, I don't know what I was looking @ then because there were some in the triple digits. I really don't care about maintainace. I would like a filter that works and if possible create water movement. If you get me.

I feel that when I change my filter pad with the carbon that I lose most of my bacteria even after dipping in the tank before tossing. I recently reduced my feeding down to a pinch of food every other day... once a week give frozen brine and bloodworms this has seem to work for me because I am changing the filter less. Actually last time I was able to rinse some of the yuck off in old tank water and put it back in.

 

[Mushroomman]

Yes, I agree wit the aquaclears. They even recently made some minor adjustments to them, which I found as improvements. They arent that much too. My aquaclea 50 (formerly AC 200) had to cost maybe 30-40 bucks.

 

[bubblecandy]

Thanks for the site froggyfox. Do you think something like an Eheim Aquaball Powerhead is necessary for 55g or less or is that more for larger tanks?