Would like some filter advice

I'd like to add a new filter to my 55 gallon tank set up. I currently have a Penguin 350 and two sponge filters in my tank and they are doing a very good job. So, why the addition? One, I would like to push more gph through to get the water super-clean. Secondly, I'd like to have a backup for if my 350 ever breaks down. I'm not trying to get out of doing weekly water changes or not performing maintenance. I had a SunSun 302b set up for a while, but it was used and developed a leak that I could't figure out. I have an open tank stand, so I'm not huge on another canister filter that sits in the open below my tank.

I've looked at possibly adding another smaller filter to the other side of the tank, maybe like a Fluval C3 (I keep hearing how everyone seems to love Fluval filters) or another Penguin Biowheel. Chewy even has another 350 for around $25, which seems like a steal to me.

I would really appreciate some advice and thoughts. There seems to be a lot of canister love out there, but I'm concerned about the leaking aspect and how bulky and unsightly they are.

 

I am no fan of canisters either .
It is just a choice for most . I like HOBs and myself run all AquaClears ..
Many others like the Seachem Tidals that are pretty new on the scene .
They both have huge media compartments and can be customized to use what ever you want .
I run 2 sponges in all my AquaClears and have air sponges in every tank also ..
What most think the beauty of these two HOBs is they don't use cartridges but actually allow you to choose media if you want or use what they supply ..

 

I have a c3 and a tetra whisper 40-60 gallon hob style on my 36 gal bowfront, I love the c3 because it’s so easy to clean and everything has its own compartment but you cannot modify it. I do not use Fluval filter pads as they are so expensive, I just use pond foam rolls and cut it to size. Now the whisper is a cheap customizable filter and it’s also a beast but it clogs up fast when using their cartridges and I don’t know how I could modify it so I could just use foam.

 

I forgot to say;
the Fluval c series used to be so expensive, I paid $47 for my c3 but now they are only $22.63!

 

CoryFan, that's the one that I was looking at. I do like the price-point. Thanks for your input!!

 

I'd like to add a new filter to my 55 gallon tank set up. I currently have a Penguin 350 and two sponge filters in my tank and they are doing a very good job. So, why the addition? One, I would like to push more gph through to get the water super-clean. Secondly, I'd like to have a backup for if my 350 ever breaks down. I'm not trying to get out of doing weekly water changes or not performing maintenance. I had a SunSun 302b set up for a while, but it was used and developed a leak that I could't figure out. I have an open tank stand, so I'm not huge on another canister filter that sits in the open below my tank.

I've looked at possibly adding another smaller filter to the other side of the tank, maybe like a Fluval C3 (I keep hearing how everyone seems to love Fluval filters) or another Penguin Biowheel. Chewy even has another 350 for around $25, which seems like a steal to me.

I would really appreciate some advice and thoughts. There seems to be a lot of canister love out there, but I'm concerned about the leaking aspect and how bulky and unsightly they are.

I run a mixture of HOB's & canisters on my tanks. Of course a budget is always the top consideration. I usually go with 7 or more turns an hour. The recommended min hourly output rate for HOBs are 10 times the total volume of your tank, the recommended min hourly output for canisters is only 5 times the total volume. Be aware that most manuf. rate their gph with no media and at minimum lift. Eheim seems to be one of the exceptions. The 2217 (no frills) has been around for decades. I do like the newer 2273 & 2275. I know that they are $$$. Their power consumption might save you in the long run. I am running various Ehiems and have been for years without problems, other than the ones that I caused. I really like the Tidal 110s. They are fairly quiet and hold a ton of media, but be aware that HOB's can be prone to bypass when run at max. It's nice to have the adjustable surface intake also. Concerning your stand, you could aways buy some wood panelling and enclose it. Sorry for the ramble. Good luck.

 

Canisters all day, Fluval or Eheim can't go wrong. I have 4 Eheims and have never had a leak. They make my life easier, I will never go back to HOB filters. If you're concerned with leaks, you can place them inside a container or above the fish tank so if there is a leak it won't drain your tank or make a huge mess. If you develop a leak, it should be small enough where you catch it in time to correct the problem, its unlikely that you will have a hose blow out. I clean my canisters every 2-3 months, all my tanks are heavily stocked, my HOB filters just couldn't keep up. I keep small HOB filters on all my tank filled with Polyfil simply for polishing and replace it every couple weeks during a water change.

 

I'd like to add a new filter to my 55 gallon tank set up. I currently have a Penguin 350 and two sponge filters in my tank and they are doing a very good job. So, why the addition? One, I would like to push more gph through to get the water super-clean. Secondly, I'd like to have a backup for if my 350 ever breaks down. I'm not trying to get out of doing weekly water changes or not performing maintenance. I had a SunSun 302b set up for a while, but it was used and developed a leak that I could't figure out. I have an open tank stand, so I'm not huge on another canister filter that sits in the open below my tank.

I've looked at possibly adding another smaller filter to the other side of the tank, maybe like a Fluval C3 (I keep hearing how everyone seems to love Fluval filters) or another Penguin Biowheel. Chewy even has another 350 for around $25, which seems like a steal to me.

I would really appreciate some advice and thoughts. There seems to be a lot of canister love out there, but I'm concerned about the leaking aspect and how bulky and unsightly they are.

If you have your heart set on a HOB filter get something BIG like and AQ110 but really for the price if you spend a little more you would get more value out of a canister just my 2 cents lol

 

Are you running power heads in your foams?
are your foams more than one foam tall?

 

No power heads...they're home-made by the tank's previous owner. PVC pipe with sponge at the bottom and airstone inside. Attached is a picture of the tank with the two sponge filters at each side.

 

I didn't realize that you had a wrought iron stand when I suggested enclosing it with plywood. Thanks for pic post. That setup takes me back.

 

I've never considered powerheads for the sponges. Would they offer a big advantage over the current setup?

 

They would increase the amount of flow through your sponges increasing filtration, as well as increase the circulation in your tank. You would need to clean them more often. The finer sponges with a powerhead tend to get condensed (smaller) as they get dirty. I am not sure of the PPI rating of your sponges, but the more dense the foam the finer the particles trapped and more BB developed. When I ran sponges with a powerhead this would be typical.

 

I've never considered powerheads for the sponges. Would they offer a big advantage over the current setup?

If your water parameters are currently good, then no. If they need some help, then yes. As you have a HOB most likely doing the heavy lifting you are probably just fine with that lightly stocked tank.
Your sand looks immaculate so you do not need them stirring up solid waste for collection. If the HOB wasn't keeping the sand clean (unless you are doing it with a vac) the power head would also help.

For final stage of "really clean water" appearance wise. You can put a section of polishing pad at the exit of your HOB and build some into your foams.
In my aquariums link at the bottom I have a post which shows how to build these


I don't think your angel would like those but you could go single height with a much more gentle power head like a maxijet 400 . I'm a maxI fan, if you have a different brand you prefer go with that. Buying a 400 hurts a bit when 900s cost less than half their price.

 

I'd like to add a new filter to my 55 gallon tank set up. I currently have a Penguin 350 and two sponge filters in my tank and they are doing a very good job. So, why the addition? One, I would like to push more gph through to get the water super-clean. Secondly, I'd like to have a backup for if my 350 ever breaks down. I'm not trying to get out of doing weekly water changes or not performing maintenance. I had a SunSun 302b set up for a while, but it was used and developed a leak that I could't figure out. I have an open tank stand, so I'm not huge on another canister filter that sits in the open below my tank.

I've looked at possibly adding another smaller filter to the other side of the tank, maybe like a Fluval C3 (I keep hearing how everyone seems to love Fluval filters) or another Penguin Biowheel. Chewy even has another 350 for around $25, which seems like a steal to me.

I would really appreciate some advice and thoughts. There seems to be a lot of canister love out there, but I'm concerned about the leaking aspect and how bulky and unsightly they are.

One suggestion if you have been using the 350 and have liked it, Marineland recently released the next Gen if the Penguin and Emperor lines.

the 350 is being replaced by the 375 pro. You can pick them up for around 50 dollars on Amazon. Some online retailers have them but I haven’t seen them at the big box stores online or in store yet.

the big improvements are the following

1. internal pump- this makes the filter self priming like the AquaClears and Tidals that a lot of people on here are a fan of, so worries after a power outage.
2. Flow control, you can finally control the flow on these. Which if you use custom media like coarse and fine sponges you will find useful.
3. they added a media basket that the intake dumps into that you can use for chemical filtration or some form of bio media.

I recently added a 375 to my tank with a custom media setup and so far so good, very, very quiet too.

they are easier to find in the 375 and smaller models. The new Emperor 450 pro is a little harder to find online for a decent price right now.

I think the new release is the reason you can get such good deals on the previous generations. Either way I love Marineland filters, I think they don’t get the praise they deserve sometimes. But definitely consider looking at the new Pro lineup if you’re looking to upgrade.

 

Nice tank. The filter I've begun to like is mittenberg filter. I have one on my 29 and another on my other 29. I do have canister filters on my 120 and a tiny one on my 20L. All my tanks have sponge filters.
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Now for my comments: I'm not a fan of hob and canister filters - hob creates big waves (yes they can be baffled and or there might be better types (I used an aquaclear on my previous 40B). Also I found certain fishes love to swim upstream and frequently ended up (at best) in the filter and (at worse) on the floor.
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I also hate canister filters for two reason. This never ending fear they will leak in some fashion draining the entire tank and in general I find them a pia to clean. My tank are planted and the filters get a lot of plant decay in them (yes i'm being stupid and should add a sponge on the intake as a prefilter); but that doesn't solve the leak issue.
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I think going forward for tanks under 100 gallon I will use corner mittenberg filters (Cornerfilter Shop - SWISSTROPICALS) and over 100 gallon a sump with overflow into drain. Now i've never had a sump so after I set one up on my next aquarium (which won't be added till 18-20 months) I might feel differently but for now that is my general thinking.
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That's my general thought and for now I think i'm done with canister filters ('cept for the ones I have).
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Two comments on Cody post above - I never had a problem with the aquaclear working after a power outage (I think mine was a 70); and I saw a video review on the new marineland and for an hob they looked pretty neat but since I never used one I can't comment on them.
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I should have noted I guess - the canisters on my 120 is a pair of ehiem 2217 (or classic 600); and the one on my 20L is a nano 30 - the nano 30 is a cute little filter which doesn't have to be below the tank - though being fairly small can't hold a lot of media - it is also well designed but not priced to sell - of course you could say the same thing about the eheim.

No power heads...they're home-made by the tank's previous owner. PVC pipe with sponge at the bottom and airstone inside. Attached is a picture of the tank with the two sponge filters at each side. View attachment 664839

 

jake37 I used all Swiss Tropical Poret foam in my filters and I love it.

I have read arrivals and watched a hand full of videos saying how the mattenburg filters are the way to go.

I have heard a few people saying the self priming on the AC is hit or miss but I have no first hand knowledge to speak to it. But it seems I hear it consistently enough that you have to still be cautious like you said.

 

Thank you to you all for your knowledge and comments! I have a lot to sit through here, which I'm excited about as I love reading and learning more about this hobby...probably why I've taken to FishLore so quickly!!

I really appreciate you all taking the time to tell me your thoughts, opinions, and experiences!

 

Take a look at the Aquaclear 70 or the new revised Marineland Penguin 375 Pro.

Both have adjustable flow rates