Which Filter Should I get?

[tomcat3]

I've been running the walmart's filter for about 4 months now,,,,, but I don't seem to like it that much because of various situations.... I am planning on getting a new one,,,,, which one should I get ??? Cannister?? or Power Filter???? please state the brand name and advantage... thanks

I have a 29 G tank....

2 plants
4 ciclids (largest one is about an inch)
1 tiger barb(less than an inch)
2 plecos(about 2 inchs)
and 3 blackbelts(about 1.5 inch)

I have been doing some research,,, and my conclusion are the Emperor or Tetratec.... but it's just my opion...


also one more question of you don't mind reading

Can I pump water from a powerhead at distance of about 2 feet below it????


thank you,,any advise would be helpful....

 

[dana307]

Hagen Fluval has been the best for me. I have a 304 and just ordered a second one. Best price I have found has been through Petco online. Free shipping and if you are a first time user, 10$ off. I had to make my fiance' order it for the first time user discount but I have shopped around for prices quite a bit and that's the best. Runs about 80$. There is a smaller fluval, the 204, which will be a bit less, but my 30 runs nice and clear with the 304. Hope that helps a bit. Powerhead.... don't understand your question quite. :-(

 

[Pooky125]

Personally I'm rather fond of the Emperors. There nice strong filters, that will keep your tank sparkling. The tetratecs are loud, and have a weird filtering system. I don't recommend them. Canisters are nice to, dont have to look at anything more then just 2 lil tubes going up the back of the tank. I've only ever used fluvals, Eheims are by far superiour to fluvals. If your going for a canister, go for the eheims. As for the powerhead it would have to be a pretty strong one. Lots of water to go through.

 

[tomcat3]

dana307
i can't find the type of filter you were referring too.... is it at petco.com??? please give me site..thanks

and also thank pooky,,,,, I guest I have to play dumb with the LFS,,,, buy and return... (if don't work)

oh never forget the first question,,, I thought you meant powerfilter ......... .

 

[capncrunch5177]

Seeing that you have plants, it may not be good to have a powerhead as it makes too much surface agitation. If I were you, I would keep my current filter and add on instead of replacing it.

There is also a canister with bio wheels made from Marineland, the same guys who made the emperors and penguins. Its called Magnum 350 or 250. I don't have any experience with them but heard some good things about them.

 

[GT3050]

go for the emperor over the tetratech for sure. Hagen Aquaclear filter are also ok, and are cheaper than the emperors. If cost isn't much of an issue go for the emperor though.

 

[amishfignewton]

If I had to do my 29 gallon walmart tank over again (which right now has the original walmart filter (with an added biowheel) and a penguin 170) I would get a fluval 204 and an emperor. I have a fluval 304 on my 40 gallon and I love it. Provides the best filtration and is completely silent, and you can adjust the flow rate easily. You prolly have alot of POO on the gravel with just hte walmart filter running. Once you toss a fluval or emperor on there, you will notice a dramatic difference in the amount of poo

 

[turtlefish]

Emperor like stated or the NEW penguin line. AC is good also for chemical filtration, water movement, ease of use but kinda lags in mechanical (compared to emps and maintainence).
BTW, those walmart kits of 29 gallon tanks, what filter do they come with? Im guessing topfin or whisper.

 

[bigredspecial]

The walmart come with Aqua Tech filters - A marineland Penguine minus the biowheel.

To the origional poster, the big question, is what price range are you looking at? I'd go AC(I have an AC 70 on my 29, works great) if you're on a budget; if you can afford it, get a cannister. Fluval is good, Eheim is better.

 

[stef25]

i also have a 29G and just bought an eheim ecco off ebay. ill let you know how its doing if you want

 

[THUNDER]

Hi.

The filter in the tank kit are AquaTech with BioFiber (similar to biowheel). Its quite impressive, but I am wanting Emperor or Penguin filter. Ill start a new thread about it.

Thunder