55 gallon with SA Cichlids - What kind of filter?

I have a 55 gallon with SA Cichlids. I currently run 2 HOB filters and water has been clear with no problems. One of the HOB have started making noise like a freight train. I removed and cleaned it all with no effect. It is old so I knew eventually it would die. Now to decide- do I get another HOB since I am familiar, upgrade to a canister or a sponge filter. I have used neither and know very little about them. I have sand substrate and use both live and silk plants and cichlids are pretty messy. Suggestions?

 

If its going fine with 2 hob filters you can just replace it. I would suggest a cannister as they hold lots of media. Sponge filters are also nice to have but they don't really have much power to pull particles from the water column...More of just a home for beneficial bacteria.

 

I have a 55 gallon with SA Cichlids. I currently run 2 HOB filters and water has been clear with no problems. One of the HOB have started making noise like a freight train. I removed and cleaned it all with no effect. It is old so I knew eventually it would die. Now to decide- do I get another HOB since I am familiar, upgrade to a canister or a sponge filter. I have used neither and know very little about them. I have sand substrate and use both live and silk plants and cichlids are pretty messy. Suggestions?

Are you planning to keep the other hob? If so, a fluval 407 would probably be ideal running alongside it.

whats your stock like?

 

I would get an Aquaclear. Either Aquaclear 70 or 110

 

I would get an Aquaclear. Either Aquaclear 70 or 110

Yup. My daughter-in-law ran two AC 70's in her 55 and it worked well.

 

Are you planning to keep the other hob? If so, a fluval 407 would probably be ideal running alongside it.

whats your stock like?

I am keeping the other HOB until it dies...lol. I like having 2 for extra filtration, air flow, BB and in case one goes out. I have 3 convicts (one is a baby that beat me at hide and seek when I removed the siblings), 1 jewel, 1 EBJD, 7 giant danios, 1 rubberlip pleco, and 1 rainbow shark. Most are fully grown or close to it. That is likely the complete stocking although I have considered adding a pictus or raphael cat.
The fluval is a canister? How much different is it to run and how much maintenance is needed.

 

I am keeping the other HOB until it dies...lol. I like having 2 for extra filtration, air flow, BB and in case one goes out. I have 3 convicts (one is a baby that beat me at hide and seek when I removed the siblings), 1 jewel, 1 EBJD, 7 giant danios, 1 rubberlip pleco, and 1 rainbow shark. Most are fully grown or close to it. That is likely the complete stocking although I have considered adding a pictus or raphael cat.
The fluval is a canister? How much different is it to run and how much maintenance is needed.

Very easy. I touch mine once a month to give it a quick clean. Could go much longer but thats just my routine - ive seen people leave it 3 months before they service it. Much more space for media and mechanical filtration than a hob, but more expensive and take up more space.

With a heavy bioload, id recommend a canister personally but if two hobs have been getting the job done until now then that would be fine too i think. The aquaclears already recommended seem good and tidals get good reviews although i havent used either of those (only used the tidal 35 which will be too small, you would need the 75 or 110).

 

Thanks everyone. I went with the Aquaclear 70 (didn't realize it is Fluval) because I am comfortable with the HOB. It is so much smaller than my old one even though it has about the same output. I do like that you can change media inside depending on what you want. The only thing that I don't love about it is the height of the water outflow. I wish it went deeper into the tank. It sits right at water level with the tank being almost completely full. Any evaporation and I will hear the water running. Oh well, it wasn't that expensive and it isn't driving me crazy with the loud noise. Now to come up with a sponge filter for my 37 gallon that will hopefully have more fish/shrimp added in a couple more months.

 

I found it hard to find a good brand of sponge filter. In the end I went with an unbranded one from ebay that is jumbo size and came with a small airstone to sit inside. Without an airstone I think they make large irregular bubbles. I like mine it is perfect for my 200 litre angelfish tank where I don't want powerful current and allready has a cannister. I see detritus stuck to the sponge exterior so it does a fair job of physically filtering and surface agitation with the bubbles.