Optimal filter setup

I've read a lot about the different filters. I absolutely love my aquaclear filters. I have an AC50 on my 20 gallon and my 55 gallon has an AC50 & AC70.

I'm beginning to plan out what I need for my new 75 gallon tank I hope to purchase in a few months and have been wondering what the optimal filter setup is. I'm obviously looking for the best bang for my buck.

With HOB filters I could run an AC 70 & AC 110 and probably be happy with that.

Then there's canisters...I've seen cheaper filters like the sunsun 304/404. and then there's others that are at least double the price. Is it worth spending that much??

My third option seems to be to have the best of both and get a canister and HOB that way I have backup in case one of the filters decides to stop working.

This will be a cichlid tank if that makes a difference at all. I'm not opposed to spending the extra if it will pay off in the end.

What says the Fishlore community?

 

id run 2 ac110s would be way more filtration then needed. The canisters are nice I just never ran them. More of a sump guy myself (just like to hide the equipment.

 

I thought about a sump but it'll take up too much space underneath that I need for the maintenance items. I'm tight on space in my rooms where I can put my tanks and in order to fit this tank, I had to place one of my tall dressers in the closet where I kept my buckets and hose. So...it all must fit underneath the tank. the canister is still small enough that id have room for buckets and such.

I'm not sure I need to spend the extra $$ on having 2 ac110's if I don't actually need it. the combo 70/110 is already more than enough. 75 gal needs 750 gph of filtration. the 70 is 300gph & 110 is 500gph so that's definitely enough. I'd rather put the extra $15-$20 into something else.

 

my ocd doesn't allow me to have un matching filters, but from what you say there I think you are correct. 2 70's would probably be enough. I just figured overkill for heavier stocking.

 

2 70's wouldn't be enough - they'd only do 600gph. Which is where the 70/110 combo comes in. If I can catch the 110's on sale and have the money when they are, I'll get 2. otherwise...just don't look at the filters

 

I was also wondering if canisters were worth the cost... the part that is nearly selling me on upgrading my aquaclears to a canisters is that they are apparently a lot quieter and wouldn't have to listen to the increasingly annoying trickle noise of the HOB's.

 

Ooh. I never thought about it being quieter! This tank is going to be in my bedroom and will be about 3 feet from my bed. perhaps it would be worth the extra for just a canister.

 

I find the trickle of the water relaxing. Kinda like a plug in fountain to add some ambient noise to the room to help sleep.

 

Trickle annoys me so much that I've been known to get up in the middle of the night and top off my tank.

 

If its in the bedroom I would get the quietest equipment I could. There will be enough ambient noise without having to worry about adding extra

 

Ooh. I never thought about it being quieter! This tank is going to be in my bedroom and will be about 3 feet from my bed. perhaps it would be worth the extra for just a canister.

I have, ermmm, 5 tanks in my bedroom. They have Eheim classic canisters on them. I can't hear them at all.