Running Multiple Filters Question

I got Marineland Penguin 200 with my kit
(38 gal bow front Marineland).....is it better to buy Seachem Tidal 55 and run 2 filters(together with kit filter)....or just buy Tidal 75 and and have a 1 filter running.
Thoght about canister filter but I'm kind of space limited at this moment.
Thank you.

 

HI there.

For the filter it really depends on your choice for stocking.

I reccomend the two separate filters as it would add much more filtration and bio-capacity then the one filter.

This means less maintenance on your tank itself and you can slightly stock your aquarium more. (More space for biological bacteria).

Hope this helps.

 

I like having 2 (quietflow 30 that came with aqueon 38 G bow front, plus aquaclear 50). That way I clean them each once a month 2 weeks apart and keep them from getting gunked up without affecting the BB too much. Also spreads out the flow instead of concentrating at one outlet. But it's personal choice.

 

It’s personal preference. If you want to run two you sure can do that. Many people here do that. Your plan of cleaning one every few weeks is good.

 

I like having 2 (quietflow 30 that came with aqueon 38 G bow front, plus aquaclear 50). That way I clean them each once a month 2 weeks apart and keep them from getting gunked up without affecting the BB too much. Also spreads out the flow instead of concentrating at one outlet. But it's personal choice.

Thank you

What is your stocking?

 

Right now very light. 6 black phantom tetra and 8 harlequin rasbora. Going to add a couple more of each of those, 3 honey gourami and a pair of Bolivian rams.

 

The other advantage of running 2 filters, is if your away or in the middle of the night. If one of the filters breaks down you still have some filtration in your tank. My small tank is a 55 gallon and I have 2 canister filters on it, mainly as a safety feture. Both of those filters can more then handle the tank by themselves.

 

Right now very light. 6 black phantom tetra and 8 harlequin rasbora. Going to add a couple more of each of those, 3 honey gourami and a pair of Bolivian rams.

No bottom feeders?

 

No bottom feeders?

No, I have gravel and most of them like sand. The Tetras pick off the bottom sometimes and may add some Amano shrimp. The rams will hang out at the bottom, too.

 

I am new here but not new to aquariums ... and as I have said before, I have used Marineland Penguin Bio-Wheels for over 20+ years. I love them. As a youngster I had more than a couple aquariums and always had big troubles with Aqua-Clears, until I switched to Bio-Wheels. Never had problems after that.

I have a Bio-Wheel 350 + 200 on my 60-gallon goldfish aquarium. I did it that way because the 350 and 200 share the same cartridge (Whereas if I bought the Emperor 400 and the 350 or 200 or 150, I'd need two different cartridges) ... Anyway -- I have always had superb results with Marineland Penguin Bio-Wheels. Give them the right time to develop their beneficial bacteria and you'll be well rewarded. Of course, you still need to regularly care for your tank in water-changing and other ways, but filter-wise, I believe they give superb results and very easy usage.

 

I run a Penn Plax Cascade 1500 with a sponge on the intake and a Hydro IV sponge filter in my 55 gallon . On my 29 I have a Tidal 75 HOB with a sponge on the intake plus a Hydro IV sponge filter. I am a big fan of sponge filters ,they have no moving parts which makes them very reliable.

 

I am a big fan of sponge filters ,they have no moving parts which makes them very reliable.

Well, without an air pump or power head a sponge filter is pretty useless, so still reliant on power and moving parts.

 

Yes they do need a air pump to generate a vacuum but I have never had one fail. You have a greater chance of failure with the others such as leaking hoses, impeller failure, not priming after a power failure. I use sponge filters in conjunction with my other filters. The only negative that I see is the take up some room inside the tank. I did not make that reply to play got-cha it is just my opinion.

 

Wasn't trying to getcha, sorry if came off that way. Of course they are much less likely to fail.