Best Size Aquaclear Hob Filter?

I'm about to switch to an Aquaclear filter for my 16 gallon community tank. On Amazon they list them as Aquaclear 30: 10 to 30 gallons and Aquaclear 50: 20 to 50 gallons. That's a wide range, plus there's some overlap...so I'm a little uncertain about which one to get.

Should you always go "up" a level and buy the more powerful filter? Will that cause problems with too strong a current in my tank?

 

Depends on your stocking sometimes. I go up in all my tanks except Betta.

 

Aquaclear 30 will work just fine at 150 gph.

 

Islandvic Cichlidude
I always try and have more than I actually need. I wouldn't worry about the current, even the ac 110 turned all the way up isn't bad.
EDIT: seems cichlidude was replying already haha

 

Islandvic Cichlidude
I always try and have more than I actually need. I wouldn't worry about the current, even the ac 110 turned all the way up isn't bad.
EDIT: seems cichlidude was replying already haha

Oh wow my aq70 shoots half way down my 65g. That is a lot of push on fish that don't like strong waters.

 

It reaches half of my 75 too, just not very strong

 

Jennifer W , it will depend on how you stock your 16g.

I think either one of the choices you gave will work well.

They both have adjustable flow output, so the larger AC30 can be turned down.

Also, I have found when the water level is raised closer to the discharge chute on HOB's, it reduces how far the water "plunges" down, thus causing a little less current in the tank.

How do you plan on stocking the 16g?

 

Jennifer W , it will depend on how you stock your 16g.

I think either one of the choices you gave will work well.

They both have adjustable flow output, so the larger AC30 can be turned down.

Also, I have found when the water level is raised closer to the discharge chute on HOB's, it reduces how far the water "plunges" down, thus causing a little less current in the tank.

How do you plan on stocking the 16g?

Already stocked. Killifish, dwarf guarami, neon tetras and cory cats. Oh, and two guppies.

 

I'd prob go with an AC30.

Here is how I stack extra media in mine.

AC30 media basket 1

• Islandvic
• Nov 18, 2018

AC30 media basket 2

• Islandvic
• Nov 18, 2018

I use these as pre-filters and use a plastic zip tie to attach them to the bottom of the intake tube.

Top Fin Sponge used as pre-filter on intake tube

• Islandvic
• Dec 24, 2018
• 1

Top Fin MF20 Internal Filter replacement 2-pack sponges, perfect to use for a pre-filter on your...

 

I'd prob go with an AC30.

Here is how I stack extra media in mine.

AC30 media basket 1

• Islandvic
• Nov 18, 2018

AC30 media basket 2

• Islandvic
• Nov 18, 2018

I use these as pre-filters and use a plastic zip tie to attach them to the bottom of the intake tube.

Top Fin Sponge used as pre-filter on intake tube

• Islandvic
• Dec 24, 2018
• 1

Top Fin MF20 Internal Filter replacement 2-pack sponges, perfect to use for a pre-filter on your...

Hey, I like those bag of rocks. Where did you get those, the back yard? I can't find any in my back yard. ;-)

 

Nah, found them by the ship channel under the bridge, lol

I just put 4 liters of their larger brothers in my canister from a Pond, replacing around 3 liters of sintered glass bio-rings it came with.
It kept the original 1.5 liters of small rocks that have been in their from day 1.

I think the canister was finally turning into a nitrate factory. We will see how it goes.....

 

I just put 4 liters of their larger brothers in my canister from a Pond, replacing around 3 liters of sintered glass bio-rings it came with.
It kept the original 1.5 liters of small rocks that have been in their from day 1.

There ya go. Replaced all my bio rings with just Matrix also.

 

I'd prob go with an AC30.

Here is how I stack extra media in mine.

AC30 media basket 1

• Islandvic
• Nov 18, 2018

AC30 media basket 2

• Islandvic
• Nov 18, 2018

I use these as pre-filters and use a plastic zip tie to attach them to the bottom of the intake tube.

Top Fin Sponge used as pre-filter on intake tube

• Islandvic
• Dec 24, 2018
• 1

Top Fin MF20 Internal Filter replacement 2-pack sponges, perfect to use for a pre-filter on your...

Nice! Thank you. I've noticed that most of the people I talk to in Fish/Aquarium groups don't use charcoal , even though it comes with the filter. Now, granted, my last tank was in high school 30 years ago, so I know a lots changed since then ....but when did the fish community stop using charcoal as a rule? And why? Just curious.

 

Nice! Thank you. I've noticed that most of the people I talk to in Fish/Aquarium groups don't use charcoal , even though it comes with the filter. Now, granted, my last tank was in high school 30 years ago, so I know a lots changed since then ....but when did the fish community stop using charcoal as a rule? And why? Just curious.

Charcoal or carbon in only needed to remove any medications from the water or any water smells.