|  |  | 
January 22nd, 2010
|
| | Moderator
| Uh-Oh Filters won't fit.
I'm trying to get my 3rd goldfish tank up and running. However, it's on a double-stacking stand on the bottom and I can't make the filters fit to put it on the bottom part of the stand.
Are there any filters that I can put inside the tank where there will only be a cord sticking up so I can still have the filtration I want (550gph)? | 
| | |
January 22nd, 2010
|
| | Fish Master
| I don't know if they come that big but the whisper filters go inside the tank I have several small ones. It might be worth checking out. | |
| | |
January 22nd, 2010
|
| | Moderator
| Do they do well for you? I looked them up and I could get three Whisper 40i's for 510gph. If they can provide the correct filtration for the waste-producing goldies, that's a pretty good idea.
I was also looking at sponge filters, but they seem to be more for fry tanks. Do you thing if I had enough (3) of the largest ones, it would provide enough filtration for a 55g goldfish tank? It'll either house 4 shubunkins/comets or 5 fancy-tailed. | |
| | |
January 22nd, 2010
|
| | Fish Master
| I have sponge filters for my fry tanks and I just don't think they do the job or create the water movement like the mechanical ones. I have whispers in a couple of my 10's and I love them. They are SUPER quiet too. I would recommend them but wait and see what others have to say. maybe someone else hasn't had good experience with them but I always have. | |
| | |
January 22nd, 2010
|
| | Moderator
| Thanks, Cesch! So regardless of what other information comes up, there is a solution to this, right? Can I go ahead and get my BABY (not even an inch long) fancy-tailed goldfish tomorrow, put them in a 29g (that's cycled) for a week until I order whatever I need to order?  The other 55 is up and running for the shubunkins. | |
| | |
January 22nd, 2010
|
| | Fish Master
| I wouldn't see why not. But I want pics of your baby! | |
| | |
January 23rd, 2010
|
| | Fish Master
| Hey BB, today while at my LFS, i saw some pretty large 45g + Fluval internal filters. I have internals in 2 of my tanks and they are great. They are pretty silent, but the only downfall is that whenever you are gonna take out the internal sponges, muck and yucks get shaken up a bit, too the flow can only be lowered enough. my internal filter in the 35g is too strong for goldies. thats why i can only have fish with strong muscles like cichlids  | |
| | |
January 23rd, 2010
|
| | Moderator
| Thanks, Tony! I can always put the comets and subunkins in this tank with the powerful internal filters and put the fancies in the tank with the HOB's. I feel safe assuming that they'd have the swimming strength to withstand the current better than the fancies.
Has anyone ever used the Penn Plax Cascades? Kensfish.com has an awesome deal on them. The Cascade 600's are only $22. They pump 175gph according to the information, so I'd need 3, but online, the fluval 4's are $55 each and I'd need two of them. Economics says Cascade 600's are the better deal if they're good. | |
| | |
January 23rd, 2010
|
| | Fish Mentor
| hey not sure if its what your looking for...but I just saw some NEW FILTERS THAT ARE VERY NARROW.......very slim for HOB...I forget who makes it but one of the popular ones just came out with it...Ill go to my store and check it out for u...they have like 4 different sizes...I was looking at them because of my 36 gallon tanks filter died....Im sure the biggest one (if u did 2) would handle it..... | |
| | |
January 23rd, 2010
|
| | Fish Keeper
| bb ... given that it's a 'double stack' stand (and the bottom tank), is it the 'height' of the filter(s) you tried that wouldn't allow them to fit? Or, is it something else? If it was the filter(s) height that was the issue, how many additional inches of clearance do you think you would need to fit HOB filters?
I know you like the Aqueon HOB's (so do I) ... and if that's what you tried to fit on the tank, prehaps the AquaClear 30's or 50's would work for you?
Aqueon 55: 8 1/4" height
Aqueon 30: 7 1/2" height
AquaClear 50: 6 1/2" height
AquaClear 30: 5 3/4" height
If the AC's fit ... a combination of two AC50's and an AC30 would give you exactly 550 GPH. 3 AC50's would give you 600 GPH.
As far as internal filters ... multiple of the large Whispers may work. I might look to replace the 'bio bag' with something like blue bonded filter pad if possible though. With the bio load of goldies ... the bio bag may clog more quickly given the finer poly material used.
I don't have any experience with the Cascade internals.
The internal filter that's interested me since it's introduction (though I've never tried one because they're too expensive), is the newer Fluval U-Series. I like the fact that it uses the same sponge material and biomax as the AquaClears. It looks like the poly/carbon cartridge could possibly be replaced with floss, etc. Here's some info on them: http://www.fluvalblog.com/u-series/ | |
| | |
January 23rd, 2010
|
| | Moderator
| Quote:
Originally Posted by ccb04  bb ... given that it's a 'double stack' stand (and the bottom tank), is it the 'height' of the filter(s) you tried that wouldn't allow them to fit? Or, is it something else? If it was the filter(s) height that was the issue, how many additional inches of clearance do you think you would need to fit HOB filters?
I know you like the Aqueon HOB's (so do I) ... and if that's what you tried to fit on the tank, prehaps the AquaClear 30's or 50's would work for you?
Aqueon 55: 8 1/4" height
Aqueon 30: 7 1/2" height
AquaClear 50: 6 1/2" height
AquaClear 30: 5 3/4" height
If the AC's fit ... a combination of two AC50's and an AC30 would give you exactly 550 GPH. 3 AC50's would give you 600 GPH.
As far as internal filters ... multiple of the large Whispers may work. I might look to replace the 'bio bag' with something like blue bonded filter pad if possible though. With the bio load of goldies ... the bio bag may clog more quickly given the finer poly material used.
I don't have any experience with the Cascade internals.
The internal filter that's interested me since it's introduction (though I've never tried one because they're too expensive), is the newer Fluval U-Series. I like the fact that it uses the same sponge material and biomax as the AquaClears. It looks like the poly/carbon cartridge could possibly be replaced with floss, etc. Here's some info on them: http://www.fluvalblog.com/u-series/ |
It's the height of the filters when they're hanging on the back of the tank from the top of the tank to the bottom part of the top part of the stand. I only need like 1" more clearance  . I'm putting the filters on first and then putting the tank on the stand because there's limited space under there. It's made for a 45g under there, but I'm pushing the envelope a little. My other "bottom-dwelling" tanks only have 1 more inch clearance and I've been able to work with that using the "filters first" method.
I totally know where you're coming from with the Fluval U-series. They're twice as much as the Whispers. I can get 3 Whispers online for $66 or two Fluval's for $110.
My thought is three 40i's which would give me 525gph filtration. I'm running 525 gph using Aqueon's on a comet/common tank containing 5 comets/commons in a 55g and the nitrate readings stay under 10 with weekly 10% water changes. If I let them build up to 20, it takes a month, which I feel is too long to go between water changes. I'd say the goldies in the established goldie tank are about 3-4" each at least. I feed twice a day.
Are the AC's of a lower height on top of the tank?
What do you think?
Last edited by bolivianbaby; January 23rd, 2010 at 02:41 PM.
| |
| | |
January 23rd, 2010
|
| | Fish Keeper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by bolivianbaby It's the height of the filters when they're hanging on the back of the tank from the top of the tank to the bottom part of the top part of the stand. I only need like 1" more clearance . I'm putting the filters on first and then putting the tank on the stand because there's limited space under there. It's made for a 45g under there, but I'm pushing the envelope a little. My other "bottom-dwelling" tanks only have 1 more inch clearance and I've been able to work with that using the "filters first" method.
I totally know where you're coming from with the Fluval U-series. They're twice as much as the Whispers. I can get 3 Whispers online for $66 or two Fluval's for $110.
My thought is three 40i's which would give me 525gph filtration. I'm running 525 gph using Aqueon's on a comet/common tank containing 5 comets/commons in a 55g and the nitrate readings stay under 10 with weekly 10% water changes. If I let them build up to 20, it takes a month, which I feel is too long to go between water changes. I'd say the goldies in the established goldie tank are about 3-4" each at least. I feed twice a day.
What do you think? | bb ... which HOB filters did you try on the tank? It seems like the AquaClears might work for you if HOB filters are still a consideration.
BTW, how are your HRP's doing? Any potential spawning pairs? | |
| | |
January 23rd, 2010
|
| | Moderator
| I did the Aqueon 55 and the Aqueon 30. Anything is a consideration if it will properly filtrate the tank. I'll check out the AquaClears. Thank you!
They're doing well, thanks for asking. They grow like convicts (different sizes for same age). The biggest ones are the ones I've been watching them closely hoping for a spawning pair. I'm guessing they'll spawn when I'm not looking for babies, though. You know how stubborn cichlids are  I'm still not sure how to sex them correctly, so that's probably not helping matters. The five are still in the 29g while I wait for a pair to emerge. | |
| | |
January 23rd, 2010
|
| | Fish Keeper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by bolivianbaby I did the Aqueon 55 and the Aqueon 30. Anything is a consideration if it will properly filtrate the tank. I'll check out the AquaClears. Thank you!
They're doing well, thanks for asking. They grow like convicts (different sizes for same age). The biggest ones are the ones I've been watching them closely hoping for a spawning pair. I'm guessing they'll spawn when I'm not looking for babies, though. You know how stubborn cichlids are I'm still not sure how to sex them correctly, so that's probably not helping matters. The five are still in the 29g while I wait for a pair to emerge. | The AquaClears atleast seem like a potential option and are very good filters. The AC50 is nearly 2" less in height than the Aqueon 55 and 1" less than the Aqueon 30. Other pluses with the AquaClears is that the sponge and biomax can last a loooong time and they offer excellent media versatility for a HOB. I like to use floss or blue bonded filter pad on the very bottom under the sponge ... and I also sometime put my biomax inside a Whisper bio bag.
Good to hear about your HRP's. | |
| | |
February 2nd, 2010
|
| | Moderator
| Quick question about the AquaClears and Whisper 40i's. Are they self-priming? There's limited space under there, so self-priming would be extremely helpful. | |
| | |
February 4th, 2010
|
| | Fish Keeper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by bolivianbaby Quick question about the AquaClears and Whisper 40i's. Are they self-priming? There's limited space under there, so self-priming would be extremely helpful. | The Whisper filters being internals should be self-priming ... as the impeller/pump is submerged in the tank much like the Aqueon.
The AquaClear wouldn't be considered self-priming. If the media basket is drained of water ... you would need to pour water in the back to get it going again. | |
| | | |
Similar Aquarium Fish Forum Threads 
