One Filter Or Two For 55g?

I am starting a new 55 gallon tank (upgrading from a 20L). I decided to go with HOB filters because I want my teenagers to help clean them and that way I know it will happen. I plan to buy the AquaClear filter but am debating between one size 70 filter or two smaller ones given that the tank is 48" long. Would I be better off with two filters (which size?), one on each side fo the tank?

I am going to have a hinged hood - either Marineland or Aqueon - so there will be cut-outs on both sides if I need two. It is a freshwater tank, sand substrate, with emerald Cory cats, black neon tetras, and Murray River rainbow fish.

 

I am starting a new 55 gallon tank (upgrading from a 20L). I decided to go with HOB filters because I want my teenagers to help clean them and that way I know it will happen. I plan to buy the AquaClear filter but am debating between one size 70 filter or two smaller ones given that the tank is 48" long. Would I be better off with two filters (which size?), one on each side fo the tank?

I am going to have a hinged hood - either Marineland or Aqueon - so there will be cut-outs on both sides if I need two. It is a freshwater tank, sand substrate, with emerald Cory cats, black neon tetras, and Murray River rainbow fish.

I have a 55 gallon and I have two Aquaclear 70s on mine.
I think two is a good idea, as it helps prevent dead spots.

 

I would use 2 plugged in on a different breaker. That way you have redundancy built in in case a fuse blow's or one quit's on you.

Regards
Bill

 

Thank you both!

Bill, I'm not sure the room is wired in a way that I can access two different circuits, though I will check. It's a good idea.

 

Well if you can use a stout extension cord with a power-strip, you could bring the power over to it. Just turn off the Tank's breaker for a couple of minutes and search for the closest live power and go from there. You won't have much of a load on it and even a 50' cord would be safe.

Regards
Bill

 

Might want to look at either 2 Seachem Tidal 55's (250 gph each) or 75's (350 gph each) or 1 Tidal 110 (450 gph). You want about 440-550 gph for that tank for best efficiency.

The have these advantages over all other HOB filters.

1. A flow knob to control 80% of the water flow. Each notch is a 10% increase or decrease so you can manage your water flow to slow your water so it stays in contact with your media longer which is better for beneficial bacteria.

2. Draws water from three locations, top (skimmer), middle and bottom for better water filtering, not just the bottom.

3. Another knob to totally shut off the bottom intake if you only want to filter the middle and top of your tank only.

4. If the mechanical media at the lower portion of the media basket ever gets clogged it has a slightly higher bypass in the basket so the water will still be filtered through your media and continues to run efficiently.

5. Media basket locks in place so it will never rise up pushing the media up high possibly causing an overflow and flooding your floor.

6. Removable no spill media basket comes out for easy cleaning using the lid as a no spill carrying tray. Don’t even have to turn off the unit either.

7. Self priming w/submerged pump so you never have to worry about it not starting and recovering from maintenance or loss of power, especially if you are not home.

8. Includes the best media, Seachem Matrix, that handles 100 gallons that can harbor anaerobic bacteria needed to reduce Nitrates.

9. Self cleaning impeller. From Seachem Support: The self cleaning feature of the Tidal Filters can be explained by the structure and build of the impeller housing. There is a groove in the Tidal 55 that goes through the slot where the impeller stays and it will continuously clean the impeller of any debris or buildup. For Tidal 75 and 110, where the impeller goes that continuously flushes a little bit of water through the back to keep it cool and quite clean. The 75 and 110 have the same mechanism.

 

I like that the Tidals have the impeller inside the tank, no priming needed.

Either brand you get, I'd go with two filters, either a pair of 70s or a pair of 110s. The AC50 media box is quite small. The 70 media box is a good size and the 110 is HUGE, lots of room for a ton of media.

 

I agree two filters is a great option. Extra flow is never a bad thing!

 

Thank you all so much for all of the information! I'll read up on both filters but it's good to have two solid options.

 

I SECOND THE TIDAL FILTERS