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Post by plecoman on Dec 15, 2009 21:31:37 GMT -6
I got a new 75 gallon tank today with lids, light, and stand from the critter. Not a bad price either! I already have a heater, so now I just need to buy the filter. I would like your opinion's on whether to get an AquaClear HOB filter or a canister filter.(Fluval maybe?) If AquaClear, should I get two 50's or 70's or just one 110? Any advise would be helpful since I have never had a tank this size!
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angel
FORUM BEGINNER
My Husband's A Birdbrain
Posts: 40
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Post by angel on Dec 15, 2009 21:36:01 GMT -6
If it were me, I'd go with two aquaclears. That way if you really want entire stability, you can rinse one sponge one one cleaning week and the other on a different cleaning week. Plus it gives you movement at both ends of the tank. But either would be nice.
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Post by plecoman on Dec 15, 2009 23:39:31 GMT -6
If I'm thinking right, and you have a leak on a canister filter, isn't it going to drain the water out of your tank down to the intake tube? If that's the case, which I'm sure it doesn't happen that often, I'm going to get the AquaClear's! I don't want to be out of town and something like that happen!
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Post by plecoman on Dec 16, 2009 11:43:21 GMT -6
Ok. I've got some bad feedback on the AquaClear's! I'm being told, by more than one source, that the AquaClear's won't restart after a power outtage. They say that some of the water will drain back into the tank, if the power's out for a while, thus not allowing the filter to pick the water back up when the power comes back on. If your out of town, you could come back to dead fish and a burned up filter. If that's the case AquaClear's are out. I use whisper filters on all of my other tanks and have never had a filter that did not restart after a power outtage! Looks like to new whispers for the 75 or maybe a canister filter, which I haven't totally decided against at this time.
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angel
FORUM BEGINNER
My Husband's A Birdbrain
Posts: 40
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Post by angel on Dec 16, 2009 11:47:36 GMT -6
If you want the whispers come over here don't pay retail.
But how many aquaclears do I have here and have not had that issue, except when they're old and about to die?
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Post by jgentry on Dec 16, 2009 12:19:21 GMT -6
Personally I prefer canister filters. They clean much more efficietly and use less electricity. The AC are fine for hang ons. They can have issues restarting if your water level is a little low or if it is really dirty. But generally they do fine.
One canister will out clean 2 AC in my opinion. Plus you can alternate what pads in the canister you clean out or change to have the same effect as using two AC's. You just have to be careful and make sure that all your o-rings are in good shape and placed correctly on the canisters. When I clean mine I always check them for leaks right after startup. Then about 1 hour later and I have never had an issue.
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Post by sirknight on Dec 16, 2009 13:41:26 GMT -6
The smaller aquaclears will not fit on the rim of the 75 gallon at least not an AGA tank. I have had power outage for 2 1/2 hours and did not have a problem with a restart.
Also, I run two 110's on my 75.
Joe
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Post by davidtcb1 on Dec 16, 2009 16:49:07 GMT -6
My favorite way to go is using one canister and one HOB on a tank that size. Both restart after a power outage (don't have experience with ACs but the Emperors and Penguins I have all do) and filter wonderfully. A canister is silent and does a great job with mechanical filtration and a good HOB with bio-wheel will give you the best biological filtration combined with excellent mechanical filtration. My suggestion would be an Emperor 400 and a Rena XP3.
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Post by plecoman on Dec 16, 2009 19:23:02 GMT -6
Thanks for all the help everyone! I still haven't made up my mind yet, but all the suggestions are greatly appreciated!
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Post by jeremyh81 on Dec 17, 2009 14:09:16 GMT -6
One thing w/ canisters is that if they lose power, they will still maintain a siphon (if installed properly and no leaks).
Fluval includes detailed instructions w/ their filters and documentation is easy to find online as well. My new 305 even came w/ a setup and maintenance video on DVD!
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