What filter should I use for a 55 gallon?

I am wanting to start a 55 gallon tank. Before I buy anything I want to make sure I know what to get. So what's the best filter for a 55 gallon?

Thanks in advance! I just joined this forum a few days ago and have learned lots already. I've had fish on and off for 15 years. I thought I knew what I was doing but from what Ive read I really didn't know much.

 

Well, as far as brands, I'm not certain. But you always want your gallons per hour (GPH) to be 8 to 10 x the volume of the tank. So for a 55 gallon, you will need around 550 GPH of filtration. As a 55 gallon is quite long, it would probably be best to get two filters, one for each side, as to get good filtration and good surface disturbance across the tank.

 

So would each filter need to filter 550 gph or have a combined filtration of 550 gph?

 

The 8 to 10x turn over is for HOB filters if that is what you are looking for, it would be a total if you where using more thn 1 filter.

 

This is just a helpful thread for finding the gallons per hour (GPH) filtration of different filters.

For hang on back (HOB) filters, recommended filtration is 8-10x tank volume an hour. I.e. 20 gallon tank=160-200gph

For canister filters, recommended filtration is 5x or more tank volume an hour. I.e. 20 gallon tank-100 or more gph

I hear great things about fluval , eheim, and rena filters all the time. Jaysee and several others have said there is no greater value for the money than Sunsun filters, also known as aquatop and perfecto?. They have other names as well.

In my 60 I have a Marineland C-360 and love it. I would have gotten a different brand except my filter broke and I needed something in a hurry. I have been more than pleased with it, though.

You want to find a filter that has a lot of space for media. The more media, the more filtration. GPH is useless if you don't have enough places for bacteria to form since that is what truly filters the water. If you have a sand substrate then a canister filter might be the best option as they are impervious to it, where as sand will damage most HOB filters. Canister filters seem daunting but they are super easy to maintain and I don't know anyone who regrets giving them a try.

You don't need two filters because the tank is long, but if you want that is an option. Another option would be a powerhead to create additional circulation and keep costs down a bit. A powerhead is not a substitute for GPH filtration, though.

 

I hear great things about fluval , eheim, and rena filters all the time. Jaysee and several others have said there is no greater value for the money than Sunsun filters, also known as aquatop and perfecto?. They have other names as well.

In my 60 I have a Marineland C-360 and love it. I would have gotten a different brand except my filter broke and I needed something in a hurry. I have been more than pleased with it, though.

You want to find a filter that has a lot of space for media. The more media, the more filtration. GPH is useless if you don't have enough places for bacteria to form since that is what truly filters the water. If you have a sand substrate then a canister filter might be the best option as they are impervious to it, where as sand will damage most HOB filters. Canister filters seem daunting but they are super easy to maintain and I don't know anyone who regrets giving them a try.

You don't need two filters because the tank is long, but if you want that is an option. Another option would be a powerhead to create additional circulation and keep costs down a bit. A powerhead is not a substitute for GPH filtration, though.

Agreed, a powerhead could be used for additional circulation, instead of having two filters. And good point on the media. With most quality filters, HOB and canister, there is plenty of room for added media. I have two Marineland HOB on my 29 gallon. And they had enough room I could put all of my filter media from my two previous filters in them, along with the new filter media.

 

Thanks for all the great info! That link was a lot of help. I'm glad you told me about not using hob filters with sand I had no idea it could damage them. I am wanting to put sand in this tank I've never used it but I've read a lot of good things about it. Looks like I'll be getting a canister filter and powerhead.

Are there different size powerheads or are they all the same?

Sorry meant to put that on the last post.

 

There are different sizes. We have a ehiem 2217 and 2 530gph sun suns, they are all good.

 

I recommend putting the power head on the side opposite of the filter intake

 

I have a 75 gallon. I had two hob filters on it for the longest time. For the life of me the water never really looked clear, as much as I cleaned. So I recently purchased a fluval 406 canister filter. I couldn't be happier with it, and would completely recommend it to anyone. Its very easy to use, and take care of very quiet.

 

I say go with canister. They are a lot more customizable than HOBs and more efficient as well. You can hide it underneath the tank.

I have a marineland c-360 as well and highly recommend it as well