Another Filtration Question
 

My new tank is up and running and curently cycling with the help of my old tank (all of the stuff from the ten is now in the 37). Right now I have a Tetra EX 30 and a Top Fin 40 w/ prefilter on my tank. I plan on getting a sponge filter shortly for Bio filtration. I am not a big fan of either of the HOB filters I have and was thinking about replacing them. The aqua clear 50 seem like an amazing filter and i was thinking about getting it.

Right now i have 3 zebra danios and plan on adding more, some African Dwarf Frogs, and some tetras.

My options:
1) Keep the two filters I have and add a sponge filter
2) Keep one of my current filters and add a aquaclear 50 and a sponge
3) Use only a Aquaclear 50 and a sponge
4) Keep my current setup
5) Some other option not listed

Thanx for all of the help.

Whats with all the over filtration? Just a sponge filter should be more then good enough as the permanent filter. Thats all I got going on my 37 bowfront.

I like the peace of mind of extra filtration JMO.

also which is better Aquaclear 50 or Fluval C3?

They're both really good, made by Hagen. I have 2 AC70's and think they're great but looking at the 'C' series, I like the design and the fact that you can service each media compartment separately. It's also the only HOB I know of that incorporates a wet/dry feature for the bio-media.

Either would serve you well.

filtration is an interestingly simple (or completely nightmarish) thing that has been the topic of much conversation about the house as of late.

let me start by saying that I personally dont use sponge filters. I love them, and would love to use them, but I use well water here and the scale that builds up on the bottom side of the hoods or versatops from the air bubbles popping drives me NUTS and its hellish to clean.

after many many configurations over the last 5 years on many of my tanks, know what I use the most? the old tetra whisper HOBs that I had in the parts bin that ive accumulated mostly from other people. Some are so old they still say second nature on them lol. anyway, once a tank is established, as I understand it, the bacteria mostly lives on the plants, gravel, wood, etc. On all my tanks I dont think twice about taking the pad out and putting a new on in. Parts is cheap cheap and WIDELY available, and you can get the replacement pads "bio bags" almost anywhere for not too much cash. I have an aqua clear filter, several air powered box filters (getting replaced in all but my fry tank) a penguin biowheel, an ehiem canister, and a 3 tetra filters. the easiest to get parts for, clean, fix, and anything else are the tetra filters.

im not going to say that the AC filters arent nice, and i havent tried the fluval C series, but imho a filter is a filter, save for parts and quality. Ive noticed my AC 20 in my 20L tends to get dirty and bypass alot, but its so easy to clean its not remotely a hassle. every 2 weeks or so I just rinse the sponge.

food for thought, the most frustrating experience ive had with getting a new tank to cycle, was when I first switched to a biowheel super high tech brand new must buy buy buy!! filter. Works great now though ;)

/rant

Thanks for the advise. I think I am going to stick with my current setup for now. I have no plan on over stocking my tank. As long as they continue to work and the ammonia and nitrite levels stay at 0ppm i will use them. If they brake i will reevaluate my filtration needs then and continue to monitor my tank's parameters. thnx.