FearTheFishies

OK so I have recently procured a free 55 gallon with a "brand new" Aqua-Tech 30-60 filter w/ filter media. When they said brand new they must of ment severly used and damaged. Its a free tank so im not going to go on about it but im in the market for a new filter. its come down to the Penguin BioWheel 200 or the Hagen Aqua-Clear 200 anybody have experance with any of these filters?

aquarist48

Good morning. I have the Aqua Clear (AC) 70 (300gph) on my 26g and love it. Lots of room for filter and bio media of your choice. I also have two AC 110's (500gph) ready for a larger tank soon to come. I recommend them highly.

Your filtration should be 8 to 10 x the volume of your tank. For a 55g I would recommed the AC 110 w/500gph if a HOB is what you want. I don't have any experience with the other filter you have mentioned.

mare2009

Aqua Clear
Plenty of room for media filter and OOO SOOOO QUIET! And after awhile, quiet running filters and air pumps will be a priority, lol.

harpua2002

I would also recommend the Aquaclear 110. It pumps 500 GPH, but the most powerful Penguin filter only pumps 350 gph. I agree with Aquarist48 that it is good to buy a filter that seems oversized for the tank. The manufacturers' ratings are generally way off IMO. I don't personally care for the Penguin filters; I think the quality of them is only ok. They are louder than Aquaclears as well. The cartridges get expensive to replace for the Penguins, but the Aquaclears use a foam block that can be rinsed in tank water over and over until it falls apart, so it is much cheaper to use over time.

FearTheFishies

Thanks im probbly going with the Aqua Clear.