Set Up Questions

I'm setting up my 29g after a few years away from the hobby and need to pick a filter. I used the marineland magnum HOT before, but the cost to refurb it would be equal to a new setup. I'm torn between the aquaclear, aqueon, and maybe the new penguin pro. I ran a lot of marineland products in the past, but the brand seems to have fallen out of favor lately. AC appears to be the hot commodity, but I'm usually skeptical of the most popular things.

For the specific questions:
Which is easier to service/maintain?
Which is better at biological filtration?
Since the 29g is at the top end of the 30 models should I just go up to the 50 (I don't intend on a heavy load)?
Thanks in advance for the help.

 

To answer all those questions, go with an Aquaclear, rated for the biggest aquarium (within reason) that you can get. Aquaclear 50 would be great.
Aquaclear is pretty much the best you can get.

 

I would agree to get aquaclear, and bigger is better. If you can, the aquaclear 50 would be best.

 

I would agree to get aquaclear, and bigger is better. If you can, the aquaclear 50 would be best.

Petco has it for a decent price, in stock locally, and 10% off if you order online and let them bring it to you in the parking lot. Seems like the way to go.

 

I think you can mod the ACs really easy too.

 

The latest iteration of my thoughts on this is to go with a Tidal 35 and a sponge for extra bio. The multiple complaints about noise from the aquaclear is influencing my decision making.

 

Usually the larger AC's are prone to noise, but most times they can be quieted down with a couple of "fixes" in my experience.

The AC's are popular not because they are new, but because they work and they are old school.

When I ran 2x AC30 on the same tank, they were near silent. I have 2x AC70's on separate tanks and while they are not silent, they really dont make much noise. Our AC110 did make noise for awhile but after I replaced the impeller shaft, it quieted it back down,

I have 2x Tidal 75's my friend gave me. They're ok, but in my experience the cons outweigh the pro's. I still use them, but I dont like how the skimmer function cant be reduced or turned off, there is way too much by-pass built in with the design of the media basket and they are not as easy to take apart and clean compared to the Aquaclear. Also the Tidal's flow limiter doesnt recycle the water back through the media like the Aquaclear does.

For a 29g, an AC50 + a sponge filter driven by an air pump would be a great and effective combo.