How many filters does a 55 gallon aquarium need?

does my 55 gallon that I'm getting need two or one filters? Or will one that is for a 55 gallon tank be ok?

 

For HOB you need at least 550gph or so. Ex: AquaClear 110 Power Filter

For a canister I'd go with the Rena xp3. It's what I run on my 55g.

We all have our own we like.

 

ill be using the hang on back kind.

 

I would do 2, one on each side. Otherwise, I would get one and a powerhead to aide in circulation. But for the price of a powerhead, you might as well just buy a filter and get all the benefits of the added media.

 

ok ill use the new one I bought for my 40 gallon to help the 55 gallon tank that comes with one then.

 

I use 2 emperor 400's on my 55 gallon. Seems to work pretty well.

 

Another option would be to run a single HOB with oversized sponge filters. My 55G is currently filtered with an AC70 plus a sponge filter rated for a 130G tank.

 

I'm currently running 1 AC110 and 2 AC50 in my 55 gallon with a atI sponge filter. In my 60 gallonI am running 2 AC110 and a sponge filter. I like overfiltering all my tanks, but I do have cichlids.

 

I would go with the AC110 and a sponge filter

 

There is nothing wrong with over filtering so long as the fish are not pushed around by the added current.

 

Good morning,

I have moved your thread from Freshwater Beginners to Freshwater Tank Equipment/Filters and Filtration section of the forum.

Thanks!

Ken

 

thanks ken

 

I too overfilter my cichlid tank (60 gln) because I have SA Cichlids that cause quite a mess and need the extra filtering.... I am running a Fluval 206, a underwater Duetto (mostly for the air stream) and 2 Aquamarine 75 HOBs on my tank. I am moving about 900 gallons an hour. Seems insane I know, but I keep the water high so the current to broken by the top on the water. I still get nitrite spikes when I overfeed them or they don't eat what I give them. I have to vacuum it out every other day. When I miss a day I get a nitrite spike. I am waiting for my 125 after I get my tax money so maybe this problem won't be as bad and they will have more room.

 

is it ok if u can post pics of the filters u r talking about so I can get a better idea of what they look like?

 

I think the filter to have depends on the stock you want. What fish are you thinking for this tank?

 

guppies platys white cloud couple big ones and I will have two silver dollars

 

This website gives the pros and cons of every kind of filter.

This first picture is pictures of Canister filters made by Fluval. This picture is taken from the Fluval Website.

The second picture is of an HOB filter and the picture is taken from the website listed above.

My personal opinion is that the HOB's are easier to use and access for maintenance, but that the Canister does a better job for Larger aquariums. I have one on my 60, only because I need A LOT of filtration for the Cichlids I have. The canisters allow you to have more filtration area to grow bacteria necessary for the aquarium to cycle. I have HOB's on the rest of my aquariums and find them perfectly adequate. They are less expensive than the canisters as well.

Wendy

 

What a great link wendy! Hahaha, the author echos my sentiments on the filters.

 

Indeed a great link. Used it many times

With that stocking list it isn't all that important to get a very specific type of filter.

 

It might be a little to much information for the average aquarium person. It goes into quite a bit of depth when some people just want an answer and to be given the best solution.

 

ok I found out the filter for the tank is a double bio wheel filter size c filters it uses and its for a 75 to 90 gallon tank is that ok?

 

Sounds like an Emperor. do you know which one?

 

ok I found out the filter for the tank is a double bio wheel filter size c filters it uses and its for a 75 to 90 gallon tank is that ok?

Can you tell us how man gph it is running. You need to move at least 550 gph in a 55 gallong tank for heavy stocking. If you are going to just put in a couple fish, it will be fine.

 

this is what the filter is

 

this is what the filter is

That filter would not be big enough by itself. Now, if you use that along with another filter like

Or you could add a canister filter to the tank.

With a hang on back filter, you need to push at least 10x the water volume per hour.

 

I'm currently running 1 AC110 and 2 AC50 in my 55 gallon with a atI sponge filter. In my 60 gallonI am running 2 AC110 and a sponge filter. I like overfiltering all my tanks, but I do have cichlids.

I overfilter too because I have cichlids. I run 1000 GPH in my 60 because I am overstocked with SA Cichlids and 750 in my 40 for my African Cichlids. Seems to work very well.:;scorpion

 

would a 55 gallon hob filter due?

 

Yes, as long as you're pushing 10x your water volume. So you'll probably need 2 HOB's. Now, canisters are more effective so they do not need to push 10x the water.

 

where do u put those? I have no shelves or cabinet tho.

 

You can put a canister filter just under your tank stand. I used to have a metal stand for my 55gal and I just put my canister under the stand. You could still see it, but it wasn't that big of a deal. Heck, even when I had my 55gal sitting on basically a coffee table for a stand, I still ran my canister filter on it. Just set the canister on the ground next to the tank and viola.

 

r canister hard to work with than the hob filters?

 

I've switched all my tanks to canisters - I think they do a much better job than HOBs, but the HOBs are easier to maintain, in that the media is easily accessible. It's more work to open up the canister than it is to take the lid off the top of the HOB, but you don't have to service the canister nearly as often as the HOB so that's the trade off.

If you want quiet and reliable, canister is the way to go.

 

+1 on what Jaysee said. If I could switch all my tanks to canisters, I would. It's just not plausible with my smaller tanks, though (currently I'm running my 55gal, a 20gL, a 10gal and a 5.5gal).

 

I'm currently finding a way to build my own canisters for all my tanks. Even my 8g hex tank. After using one on my 55g, I believe they are the best filtration you can have, besides a sump.

 

I was looking at the top fin filters for a 55 gal. They have them for up to 40 and up to 60. I guess I could go with one 60 but would it be better to go with two 40s? Or maybe a combination like a 60 plus a 20 or 40?

~Ally~

 

None of thee above... I am trying something new myself so I made this thread to learn somethings... BUT spending money on 2 HOB's you could buy a SunSun Canister Filter...

Please Read

 

Personally, I would go with a canister like the SunSun mentioned above. It is a relatively inexpensive canister and works really well. I got an Odyssea from Aquatraders for $58.00 for my 75 gallons and I love it. I would also have a small HOB filter as a backup and somewhere to have filter media stored so you have beneficial bacteria if you need to set up an emergency tank.

 

Re: How many filters for a 55 gal?

Personally, I would go with a canister like the SunSun mentioned above. It is a relatively inexpensive canister and works really well. I got an Odyssea from Aquatraders for $58.00 for my 75 gallons and I love it. I would also have a small HOB filter as a backup and somewhere to have filter media stored so you have beneficial bacteria if you need to set up an emergency tank.

I always run a canister and a hob as back up. I have a 55 gallon canister and a 40 hob on my 55 gallon tank.

 

2 60s or what the above says^

Edit: Oooo 2 AQUA-Tech 30-60 if your local Wal-Mart sells fish stuff...☺☻

 

I run 2 penguin 350s on mine.