Upgrading from a 20 gallon to a 75 gallon

I just went to the LFS and was planning on getting two 50 gallon tanks, one for me, and one for the boys. The 50 gallon was $205.99 each but the 75 gallon was $204.99. So I just did the 75. Didn’t make sense to spend twice for two tanks. Kids were ok with it too as they saw what I was talking about.
I bought black sand and some planted tank media. I bought the heaters and the finnex planted plus 24/7 light. I was going to buy the filters there but they were way more expensive than online. The light was only $8.00 more so that’s reasonable. The filter was $30.00 more.
So here’s my question. I generally go with two filters and I like Aquaclear filters or marine land. I think I’ll go AC though since the filter changes. What size would you guys go with? I’m just doing a friendly small fish tank. I do plan on doing shrimp but I may add the shrimp in a refugium off the back or pipe in a 20 gallon off the side. What would you guys do?
I can’t do a tank under this since I’m doing my turtle tank below and it too will be a 75 gallon tank.

 

I just went to the LFS and was planning on getting two 50 gallon tanks, one for me, and one for the boys. The 50 gallon was $205.99 each but the 75 gallon was $204.99. So I just did the 75. Didn’t make sense to spend twice for two tanks. Kids were ok with it too as they saw what I was talking about.
I bought black sand and some planted tank media. I bought the heaters and the finnex planted plus 24/7 light. I was going to buy the filters there but they were way more expensive than online. The light was only $8.00 more so that’s reasonable. The filter was $30.00 more.
So here’s my question. I generally go with two filters and I like Aquaclear filters or marine land. I think I’ll go AC though since the filter changes. What size would you guys go with? I’m just doing a friendly small fish tank. I do plan on doing shrimp but I may add the shrimp in a refugium off the back or pipe in a 20 gallon off the side. What would you guys do?
I can’t do a tank under this since I’m doing my turtle tank below and it too will be a 75 gallon tank.

I‘ve got a Marineland Magniflow 360 canister and a Seachem Tidal 75 HOB on my 75 gallon.

 

Tidal filters are great! Me I have on my 90 a tidal 110 and a Marineland 350. I would recommend the same. Replace the tidal with the ac 110 if you want ac.

 

Tidal filters are great! Me I have on my 90 a tidal 110 and a Marineland 350. I would recommend the same. Replace the tidal with the ac 110 if you want ac.

I thought about going with the tidal. They look nice. What are the filters like and changing the media or cartridge out? That’s why I like the aquaclear. Just rinse the sponge and do some carbon here and there. Cheap up keep. The marine land you have to change the cartridges a lot and it gets costly.

 

Have you looked into canister filters.? Cheap for the media - no rip off cartridges to deal with. Could go with a cascade 1500 and maybe have a sponge filter also......

 

I thought about going with the tidal. They look nice. What are the filters like and changing the media or cartridge out? That’s why I like the aquaclear. Just rinse the sponge and do some carbon here and there. Cheap up keep. The marine land you have to change the cartridges a lot and it gets costly.

I have a Tidal 110, 75, and 35. I really like them. You can customize the media like you can in an Aquaclear, but they have several features AC's don't. My favorite is they're self priming.

Seachem - Tidal Power Filters

 

Tidal is the same as the ac but has a basket with the media in it. Just remove the basket and clean your media. Now the marine land needs to be customized. Remove the cartridges and replace with sponges and bags of media. My marine lands have the same media for at least 3 years now.

 

Have you looked into canister filters.? Cheap for the media - no rip off cartridges to deal with. Could go with a cascade 1500 and maybe have a sponge filter also......

Really not a fan of canister filters. I think they are a pain to clean and it would be difficult because I’m doing the turtle tank below. So I’d have two canister filters off to the side of the tanks. One will be enough for me.

 

Tidal is the same as the ac but has a basket with the media in it. Just remove the basket and clean your media. Now the marine land needs to be customized. Remove the cartridges and replace with sponges and bags of media. My marine lands have the same media for at least 3 years now.

What do you use for media in the marienlands. I really like the marine land filters and they are fairly cost effective to buy just not the filter cartridges for the rest of tour life.

 

I remove the cartridges and add a 1” x4” x6” cut peice of sponge. That sits in the back slot in front of that I put a bag of matrix. Can also add a price of poly fill behind sponge.

 

I remove the cartridges and add a 1” x4” x6” cut peice of sponge. That sits in the back slot in front of that I put a bag of matrix. Can also add a price of poly fill behind sponge.

Thanks. That is what I had envisioned but wanted to see what you came up with. I would not have thought of that simple modification unless you brought it up. I have a bunch of sponge material sitting around here. Ill likely add some ceramic media too for surface area.
mad a matter of fact I think I have a big emperor 350 sitting out in the garage.
thanks for the help.