fishlover78

hi everyone, I have been beating around the bush on what filter to use on my new 33 gal. semi aggressive tank (little fishies), for secondary I will be running an aqueon 10 or whisper 20 power filter but I can't decide on the main power filter, please vote above, the results will be the one I choose. thanks again! -fishlover78

pinkfloydpuffer

I picked Aquaclear. I have one on my puffer tank, and I'm very happy with it.

fishlover78

do you think the model 70 is overkill, I mean current wise?

pinkfloydpuffer

Um... what fish are you putting in there?

fishlover78

all kinds of barbs (green, tiger, tinfoil), and maybe some silver dollars. you know all those fish semi/mostly aggressive. they are kinda small

pinkfloydpuffer

Looks like the Aquaclear 70 used to be called the Aquaclear 300 (Why'd they change that, it's just annoying...)
So, that's 300 gallons per hour, or it pulls 100% of the water through about 10 times an hour. Which is just what you want. So, I say it's perfect.

capekate

I couldnt vote because my choice was not there. The Aquaclear filters are what I use and I love them. I have the aquaclear 50 on my 29g tank and it is fine. Its rated for 20-50g tanks. The Aquaclear 70 is rated for tanks size from 40-70g. I would have voted for a AquaClear 50.
Is it over kill? I guess depending on what kinds of fish you plan on keeping and whether they have a heavy bio load. The way I feel is that if you have the money to spend on the 70, then I would get it. It wont hurt.

fishlover78

sorry capekate! I plan to keep blood parrots (2) in this tank in the future and didn't want to have to replace the filter when the time comes, so would these be fit for them and the barbs/silver dollars?

capekate

The Parrots get large over six inches up to 8. But usually will be around 6. The tinfoil barbs get really huge.. as does the Silver Dollars. I would reconsider adding the tinfoil and SD with the Parrots in your new tank. I love the Parrot fish so I would say keep the two and get a smaller peaceful school of fish. The Parrots are shy and peaceful, so you wouldnt want any aggressive fish in with them.
I agree on your choice of the AquaClear 70.

fishlover78

no, what I was saying was I will keep barbs in the tank for a few years until I move them to a different tank, then when the tank has no other fish in it I will stock it will 2 blood parrots, sorry if that wasn't clear, but the AC 70 will keep up with them when the time comes? I was trying to avoid purchasing a small filter for the barbs when they take residence in there, then go buy a big filter when I get the parrots. thanks PFP and Capekate!

capekate

O I C ! I understand now...

ccb04

If going by the 10x GPH suggestion ... the AC 70 would put you pretty darn close to that. It would of course give you 300 gph in a 33 gal. tank (330 gph if using the 10x mark).

I love AquaClear filters. I was originally considering the Marineland C-160 canister (160 GPH) for my 20L due to limited clearance behind my tank. However, I settled on an AC 50 (200 GPH) and have been most pleased.

IMO, the Aquaclear's are like HOB canisters in that the various media is readily tailored to fit individual needs and the water is directed up from the bottom and through virtually the entire course of media. I previously mentioned limited clearance behind my tank, and also liked the fact that an Aquaclear of higher GPH was similar in size to a Penguin model of lesser GPH. The AC 50 (2 3/4") being the same as the Penguin 150 (2 3/4"). The difference of course being the 50 GPH between the two. Either I'm sure would have been just fine (and I like the Penguin as well) ... but I chose to follow the oft recommended 10x GPH, in addition to liking the Aquaclear setup a bit better overall.

Plecolover12

Well, you should choose the whisper 20 filter. I have a whisper filter and it is nice and quiet, hence the name. Cichilds can grow pretty big. I would suggest doing research on the fish you want to keep.

pepetj

I keep one AquaClear 70 running as back-up filter (to complement mechanical filtration) in a 45gal tank.

I suggest this model/brand because a semi-aggressive tank is likely to be a bit overstocked and this filter's design -old tech- is flexible as for the filter media you choose to use, like removing the Activated Charcoal and placing an extra sponge in there.

You can adjust its flow by moving the intake tube clockwise once you have it running.

I use one AquaClear 70 at minimum flow in a 30gal (30"Lx18"Wx13"H) tank and it works pretty well.

350GPH is its rated maximum flow, don't know what its minimum is supposed to be.

Pepe
Santo Domingo

Pepe
Santo Domingo

fishlover78

thanks guys!

capekate

Your whisper 20 is good for you 10g tank, but it is only used in tanks up to 20 gals. It would be too small for a 33 gal tank as the OP has.

pinkfloydpuffer

I have some whisper and an aquaclear, and honestly neither of them make any noise at all. I have my 3 tanks in my bedroom and I never have any trouble falling asleep because of noise.

Jess

I have the Aquaclear 70 on my 25 gal. I really like it. (so do the Discus)

Barbrella

33 gals is not suitable for even one Parrot cichlid, which can grow to 10 inches.

Nor is it suitable for Silver Dollars, which must be kept in schools and grow very large (up to 8"). They are also not aggressive and won't fare well with Tiger barbs.

Tinfoil barbs - which grow over a foot long - are not suitable to most home aquariums due to their huge size and extreme hyperactivity.

Please research carefully before bringing fish home. You and they will be a lot happier!