Need a good filter?

[Chinaman0389]

Has anyone tried out the Marineland Penguin Filters? I am looking really at the penguin 100...or...what is a good HOB filter that has about 100 gph filter rate...I currently have a 10 gallo tank that is overstocked (rookie mistake)

[algarciajr]

I like the Aquaclear hob filters.

[Zulaab]

For HOB filters I like the Aquaclear (by hagen) they are easier to deal with and better. In your case of having the 10g overstocked, I would look at the aquaclear 50. My Mom's 20g long has two Aquaclear 50's to keep it up, and they dont make the tank look like there is a storm inside..

[supadave]

Just about any HOB will be good for a 10 gallon tank. AquaClear...Penguin.....Emperor.....will all work fine on a 10 gallon tank. I just prefer the AquaClear because you will never have to buy replacement cartridges.

[Mzungu]

I agree. AquaClears are wonderful HOB filters. I loved the Whispers, as well, until they remade them. I set up a tank for my parents with one of the new Whisper filters, and took it off within a couple of weeks. Not happy with it.

But AquaClears are great. Virtually no noise, you don't have to buy "specialty" cartridges made just for that type of filter every time you want to change out the media, and you can put anything you want in the media compartment (which is a good size, too). That's important, because sometimes you need different media types to complement the life stages of your tank.

One caveat, I wouldn't put an AquaClear on a planted tank. The strainer on the intake tube is really small, and gets clogged VERY quickly with plant and leaf debris.

[Nickintex]

Personally, I hate the Aquaclear filters. When I had them, the media basket would pop up like a toaster, spilling water all over the floor. I actually have an Emperor 280 on my 10 gallon glassfish tank. The bio-wheel diffuses the outflow a little bit, so it does not disturb the plants or the substrate. I buy the Odyssey blue filter pads from Houston Aquatics and cut them to the same size as an Emperor filter cartridge. They are thick and rigid enough to last for a good while.

[Mzungu]

Personally, I hate the Aquaclear filters. When I had them, the media basket would pop up like a toaster, spilling water all over the floor.

Interesting. Would this happen at first, or after a while when the media had gotten a bit "dirty?" I've noticed in Geoff's tanks that when it's time to clean the media, the basket begins to rise a bit, but I've never seen it pop out like toast.

I used to not like them, but have been re-introduced to them and really see the benefit for non-planted tanks.

[Nickintex]

It would happen as the media got dirty, but the basket would pop up suddenly, not gradually.

[billansor]

The baskets will pop up.. if locked in... and if the media got really really dirty and not very well cleaned the next time...

I have the same problem.....

but usually am able to tell when its about to happen that way......

I enjoy the aquaclear 110... the 500 gph is awesome....

[mark razmandi]

on a tank that small defiantly go marineland 100, i got one on my 10g. then get an aqua clear sponge and use it as a filter cartridge. it fits perfect.

[myjohnson]

all HOBs are trash.

[cichlid1409]

all HOBs are trash.

booooo, hobs are the shiznittle bizz-bam snip-snap-snip

[Chinaman0389]

Re: Need a good filter?

Well I have no choice...I am not going to put a canister filter on a ten gallon..the water and fish would be in the filter vs in my tank but my aquaclear 30 is nice I love it...I just have to get through this bacteria bloom...how long can it last it has been going on for a week now

[cichlid1409]

only thing i dont like about AC filters is the color

[myjohnson]

They make smaller canisters.

I just don't like HOBs b/c of the noise they make and the look of them.

I don't know about the bacteria bloom. I only had it happen to me once years ago when I only kept HOB filters.

Mine lasted 2 days.