Just out of curiosity....

Crocer

what kind of filter should I use for my 44.9 gallon tank? I have other filters from previous setups and am wondering if a combo of those would work. the filters I have are:

2 hang on the back filters - 15- 30 gallons
- and the other i think is good for 10-20 gallons

large and small under gravel filters

box filters

various other filters that either don't work(motor's fried), or are to small.

My BIG beef with the hang on the back filter's (HOB's?) is that when the power goes out you have to re-syphon them. This may seem like not a big deal , and it isn't as long as I am home when it happens. But there has been a more then a few times that the power has gone off while I was at work , I come home with the filter motor running but no water syphonig back through leading to the filter getting pretty warm.

I was thinking to solve this problem, I could get to power heads for the UGF and rig them up to the two HOB's( thus not having to plug in the HOB's).

What do you guy's think?

LasColinasCichlids

To solve the power outage issue with filters burning out, get a filter that is self-starting, most marineland filters are (but the penguin series sucks in my opinion), as well as some of the basic Top Fin ones, it will say on their box or in the instructions. Aqua Clear filters are awesome, but NOT self-starting.
Round up your tank size to a 50 gallon, and get an HOB filter made for 75 gallons or more to ensure proper filtrations... depending on fish you keep in it you can make a homemade baffle for it to limit the outflow from the filter.
Or you can always do a canister, I am not familiar with them, just their media, as I often used their media in some of my HOB filters.
It is more effective and often cheaper on electric bills to use one large filter verses multiple smaller ones, especially when working with larger tanks.
I am guilty of using an AquaClear 50 and Marineland Penguin 150 Bio Wheel on my 29g tank. But last week stopped using my marineland due to its high noise level. No big deal, the aquaclear can handle it...but in cases of power outages/interruptions, I too have to be on hand to get it started. If I am home when power issues happen, I unplugged the filter until the power comes back on to ensure I am present to start it. I dont worry so much about the tank being without a filter for a few hours anymore thanks to lots of live plants and not overstocking.

*Self-starting meaning the technical term of self-priming.*

Crocer

How much would the canister cost roughly? I'm a little on a budget, .

Also I am divided between a hard water community tank( Mollies, Platies, and guppies or hard water tetra's),

a brackish water tank( mollies , cromids, and preferably a dragon goby),

or a gold fish tank.

Jakiebabie

Hi Crocer! Nice tank...lol. you could look on craigslist or Kijiji and keep your eye open. Look for an old model of Eheim. They are work horses of the filter world but unfortunately they run in the $200 range new I think up here. Research what you need in the Fluval and Eheim models and watch the re-sale sites. I'm running an old Ehiem 2215 on a 75 Gallon. And my back up is the Fluval.
I'll keep my eyes open in my area and let you know it I find anything and I'll let you know.

Crocer

thanks, I got it from a real nice lady , I will definatley check out Kijiji, lots of people giving away free fish, or expesive fish for cheep there. LOL I need an ocean.

Jakiebabie

Aw... shucks. You are very welcome. Glad you have been able to fix it and enjoy it!!

kitten_penang

a single 2215 in a 75g?? wow and they told me i needed 2x2217's to keep my tank clean

Jakiebabie

Kitten you know you've got me thinking.... you are probably right! I think I will put on the old Fluval too. Can't hurt as they are both "tired" and the output is not gushing that is for sure.
I had the original Fluval on our 90 gallon many years ago. The Fluval is so old that it does not even have a primer on it. Thank you for the insight.
One should be good on his 45 Gal right? Maybe a 2217?

Byron

Depending upon the fish in the 75g, an Eheim 2215 is plenty of filter, it is rated for up to 90g. A planted tank would be fine with this. Now, if the 75g is full of large cichlids, that's another matter. Filter size is determined by the fish that will be in the tank, not by the tank size alone.

Byron.

kitten_penang

i've been talking to the people from eheim recently as i wanted to purchase a new canister for my 75g.they said the older models are better then the new ones (keep in mind were talking about the ones that have not been used) as for any aquarium equipment imo they do age and are less effective as the get older.meaning slower flow rate and stuff but what bryon said is true also.it also depends on how many and how large the fishes are.my tank is cleaner with a higher flow rate less gunk gets stuck on my Java Moss too