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March 22nd, 2008
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| | Fish Keeper
| 55g accesories on a budget
So I found a 55g today that needs some serious cleaning. Has 4 lights which need bulbs.. nice bulbs are a few months down the road. What I need right now is decent filters at an economical price.
Working on a 100$ budget for this portion of the tank. Wanted to do a canister and HOB. I planned on using PFS as my substrate. Looking to do a cichlid tank with this one. Going to be doing a fishless cycle.. w/ ammonia of course this go round. There is a heater that came with it but not sure how much I trust it. Aside from the filters at decent prices, and PFS as substrate, what am I not thinking of that I need. Bit frazzled right now. heading to inlaws for a pre-easter dinner.
Thanks for any help. | 
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March 22nd, 2008
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| | Fish Addict
| i'm not sure what PFS is, but many people would recommend a blend of crushed coral/gravel for cichlids. new filtration might be a little tough for $100, but if you added to it later, that might be ok. a new heater is probably around 20-30. what about an air pump (probably another 20-30)? other decor/rocks? i'm assuming you have plenty of basic stuff, like water conditioners (i seem to go thru that stuff really fast), various foods, nets, etc... and things like a background are kind of 'extra'/unnecessary.
sometimes you can find decent filters used on craigslist as well, btw... i've seen plenty on there... which, while not necessarily ideal, might mean you wind up with plenty of filter and money to spare. | |
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March 22nd, 2008
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| | Fish Keeper
| I think it's Pool Filter Sand...which I've seen people talk about using as substrate. | |
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March 22nd, 2008
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| | Fish Addict
| ah... i thought they needed the coral and bits of shell and stuff to help with the water conditions, but i dunno... i'm sure someone that does know will come along. /shrug | |
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March 22nd, 2008
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| | Fish Keeper
| I bought my magnum 350 for less than 85 bucks on sale at a Pet Supplies Plus store. Look into it.. Good filter for a 55..  | |
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March 22nd, 2008
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| | Fish Keeper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Gargoyle  I bought my magnum 350 for less than 85 bucks on sale at a Pet Supplies Plus store. Look into it.. Good filter for a 55.. | I was reading that the magnum 350 was a pain in the butt regarding filter media. Not enough room for things etc. Is this true, or I'm guessing not an issue for you since you enjoy it? | |
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March 22nd, 2008
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| | Fish Keeper
| I'm honestly not a "filter media" freak by any means.. I use the floss on the outside of the container and the Aqua Clear bio media in the center. It has provisions for floss and whatever you want in the middle but it is one open section in the center.
I opted for the magnum because of it's simplicity. I also use a small powerhead with attached pre-filter. Now the pre-filter has floss/cotton and 2 cambers so if need be I use that for additional temporary media.
Not knowing what everyone likes in their filters I can tell you that it is no problem for me at all the way it is designed. Now if you wanted to use 3 or 4 types of media I can see that being difficult. Also the Magnum is a zero bypass unit which I liked. | |
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March 22nd, 2008
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| | Fish Keeper
| It's late and I've done pre-easter at the inlaws all day today. What is zero bypass when referring to filters? Assuming nothing gets past the filter once it is in?
Also, how long have you had it? Would you use it with a sand substrate? | |
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March 23rd, 2008
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| | Fish Keeper
| Zero Bypass means all the water that enters gets filtered before it is returned no matter how clogged the unit is.
I have had it for 15 days. Bought it specifically for my new 55 gallon which I have had for the same amount of time. I would see no issue using it with a sand substrate. The pickup is adjustable from the center to very near the bottom of the tank with the use of an extension which is provided. | |
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March 23rd, 2008
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| | Fish Keeper
| Which magnum was it? I see there is a regular and deluxe version with 20$ price difference. Any idea what the differences are? | |
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March 23rd, 2008
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| | Fish Keeper
| Right now I'm looking at 2 Penguin 350 Biowheels, and a V-Therm Stealth heater. Would 200 or 250w be more appropriate for a 55g? The former is for 50g and the latter is 70g.
Decided on a sand substrate with river rocks so far. More to come. | |
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March 23rd, 2008
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| | Fish Keeper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by FL CommunityFans Right now I'm looking at 2 Penguin 350 Biowheels, and a V-Therm Stealth heater. Would 200 or 250w be more appropriate for a 55g? The former is for 50g and the latter is 70g.
Decided on a sand substrate with river rocks so far. More to come. |
I have 2 100w heaters in my 55 gallon. If one breaks, the other will continue to keep the water warm until I can replace it. I've also noticed that since I have the 2, they aren't constantly "on". The water stays the right temp without them running all the time. | |
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March 23rd, 2008
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| | Fish Keeper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by FL CommunityFans Which magnum was it? I see there is a regular and deluxe version with 20$ price difference. Any idea what the differences are? |
The deluxe is pretty sweet. I believe it comes with a vacuuming tool that allows you to vacuum your gravel as much as you want and you never lose any water as the vacuum hooks directly onto the inlet hose to the filter. Neat little idea there.
They also make one where the outlet goes to a dual bio wheel penguin, thats a pretty sweet set up to.. I have the bare bones basic unit. | |
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March 23rd, 2008
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| | Fish Keeper
| That one cost roughly 60-70$? If so, it's the same one I am looking at I think. I may go Magnum 350 and penguin 350, not entirely sure yet. | |
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March 23rd, 2008
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| | Fish Keeper
| Well how ever you decide to go let me know because I am interested in what you choose to do and also how it works out for you.. | |
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March 25th, 2008
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| | Fish Keeper
| Just found out the Magnum "fine particulate" cartridge works AWESOME!!! Just FYI.. | |
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