Will This Filtration Cut It?

I have a 36 gallon bowed display tank and a 33 gallon tank and they each have a fluval aquaclear 50 HOB filter and (forgot what kind) about a 6inch(ish) sponge filter in the corner as well. Should I consider investing in a canister filter or possibly and undergravel filter? The 33 will become a shrimp taqnk when fully cycled and the 36 I will be breeding peacock gudgeons or killifish. Anyone with experience have any suggestions, as well as any other ideas anyone may have. I am open for all suggestions so I can provide the best tank possible for my babies!

 

I would do the sponge filter in the 33 since you intend to breed fish, that way they wouldn't get sucked in.

A cannister filter would be good for the 36 gallon. But the HOB for both tanks should be fine too, fluval filters are amazing, but are quite expensive. I wouldn't invest in an undergravel filter, they do the job but not as efficient, and all the poop gets sucked beneath your substrate which will still pollute your water.

 

I personally would stick with what you got. The AC 50 and sponge filter should be plenty enough for your setup, on both tanks, to be honest. A canister would only be a slight improvement, being able to hold more media than the AC 50, but I don't believe that is necessary. The cool thing about the AquaClear filters is there is plenty of surface area for the bacteria to cling onto, such as the ceramic media and sponge, acting almost like a smaller canister filter. So I say keep what you got, and save the money.

Edit: Ed204 made a good point. In the breeder you'll want a sponge, or you can put a pre-filter (sponge) on the AC 50 intake.

 

Yes, I have a pre-filter sponge for HOB filter so that works!! Thanks guys, I wasn't sure because I have notice a lot of people on this forum have a not so high opinion on HOB filters on larger tanks. (I know they aren't huge but 36 is large for me lol)

 

Yes, I have a pre-filter sponge for HOB filter so that works!! Thanks guys, I wasn't sure because I have notice a lot of people on this forum have a not so high opinion on HOB filters on larger tanks. (I know they aren't huge but 36 is large for me lol)

Fluval HOB filters would definetly work, they are meant for decently larger tank sizes like 55 gallons.
Keep us posted!

 

I was going to try to breed them in the same tank if I could pull it off. Both aren't super territorial and with enough decor and plants I feel I can break the tank up enough. I would of course need a secondary setup for both sets of fry, one for the gudgeons tubes and another for the killi's spawn mops after spawning. But I want to keep the adults in the 36. I don't want a huge bottom feeder that I'd have to re-home after a time and I don't want something high energy such as cories who will dig up all my substrate/harass the spawning areas. This project just keeps on growing. OH! Pygmy sunfish are on my list of breeding fish I would like to try sometime. They are such neat looking little fish. I think a community of different killies, peacock gudgeons (mainly males, they are GORGEOUS), and pygmy sunfish would look absolutely stunning with the correct plants/substrate. And by breeding I can make a buck or two, get some nice trades potentially, and have a limitless supply of my fish for when the parents get old. I already spoke with my LFSs and they ALL would accept all 3 types of these fish and were ecstatic to hear I'd be bringing them in eventually so no worries on re-homing =)