Best Filter for My Tank

[The Saltwater Kid]

What would you buy for a 29 gallon tank? I would like to keep it as close to $100 as possible. I've been looking at ones from Eheim and Renia that look pretty nice. I have a Magnum 220 right now and it has been working like a charm but has just recently started making some funny noises, I cleaned it (the impeller part) and started it back up but it's still making the noises and I just don't trust it very much now. I don't want it to harm my reef tank or start a fire because of something faulty in the motor housing. I would like to take care of this problem ASAP so your info/opinions would be GREATLY appreciated!!!

 

[sir_dudeguy]

honestly i'm never buying a canister, hob, or wet/dry ever again. Live rock is the only way to go imo if you're doing a reef.

Now if this is a fish only tank, then sure, go w/a canister...i had fine results with my fluval, except for the 120 nitrates that it made in 3 days.

But look in your local group and see if anyone can sell you some rock. Usualy by me it goes for 2-3 bucks a pound.

 

[The Saltwater Kid]

I have 40lbs. of live rock, I'm good there but I still want a filter to remove any toxins from my water.

 

[The Saltwater Kid]

Maybe I should clear things up, this is an established reef tank (over 6 months old), I'm not just starting this up.

 

[sir_dudeguy]

so are you just planning on doing carbon in the filter? Theres not much other use of a filter besides that, but if thats what you wanna do, i'd just go with the HOB Aquaclears. They're great for that.

 

[The Saltwater Kid]

yup, i run carbon with a biomax insert.

 

[drummereef]

I like my Aquaclear 70 hob for carbon and such.

 

[The Saltwater Kid]

So what about a canister filter, which one is best for my needs?

 

[JmLee]

A protien skimmer?.

 

[The Saltwater Kid]

I have a skimmer, it's not great but until i can afford another one it'll have to do. I really think I need a filter though as mine seems to be acting up and the cannister filters seem to be the way to go but which one, Eheim, Renia etc. ?

 

[sir_dudeguy]

wait...up above you said "yup, i run carbon with a biomax insert"....so i take it that you're already running the carbon? If so, why do you want another canister? Its seriously not gonna do anything if your'e already running carbon in something. (oh, and i'd ditch that biomax stuff for SURE. I had it in my fluval and the nitrates were unbelievable. Plus again..you've already got way more than enough rock for your tank so you dont even need any other filtration)

i'm with jmlee...save your money from buying a canister and just get a better skimmer. What brand do you have btw? IMO and many others, the skimmer is the most important piece of equipment for a tank, especially if its gonna be a reef. Dont skimp on that.

But if you're absolutely set on getting some other filter to run carbon in and its written in stone that you gotta get one, then i gotta say go with the Aquaclear HOB filters...the 70 like meantioned above will be perfectly fine for carbon. They're also cheaper than cansisters and imo, its not really needed so you may as well get by cheaply on it...

 

[Anemonebuff]

For a 29 get a CPR backpack. It will skim pretty well and there is also space for carbon.

 

[aquarius77]

The last thing i would use on my reef is a canister filter, they arent much more than a nitrate house!
If you insist on using one only use it for a short peroid to remove whatever you belive is in your tank, a few days max, then clean it up and put it in the closet till next time
Fluval makes nice canisters IMO.

 

[sir_dudeguy]

a few days max, then clean it up and put it in the closet till next time

exactly...thats why i see no point to buy one. If you absolutely want something, then why not a cheaper HOB AC?

 

[The Saltwater Kid]

I've been running my Magnum 220 cannister filter since the initial setup of my tank 24/7 and my water quality (especially nitrates) is very good. The reason I'm looking as I've previously stated is that my magnum (which is where I am running my carbon with biomax filter media) has been making strange noises for the past couple of days, even after cleaning the impeller it's still making the noises and when i wiggle the wire going into the motor housing that seems to effect it so it leads me to me wary there might be a short in there which could be a fire hazard. Believe me, if I can get by cheaper I'm all for that...would an Aquaclear 70 HOB provide as much return flow as my magnum 220? My skimmer is a basic Seaclone 100 as is stated in my signature and i know I need a better one but that just might have to wait until Christmas when i plan on telling my wife I'd like an Octopuss Needlewheel 110 for my tank.

 

[sir_dudeguy]

no the magnum supposedly does 220 gph and the ac 70 does 100. So if you want, you could just go all out and get the AC 428 for 45. Or the ac 300 which does 300 gph is 28 bucks.

The cheapest canister i can find is like 60 bucks, and thats an eheim, but they only do like a hundred gph.

Also, i said pretty much the same thing you're saying about your filter. I had that biomax stuff in my fluval and i pretty much didnt listen to all the warnings about the stuff and said "no, it wont happen to me" bla bla....well...they did eventually make nitrates, and when they do, they skyrocket...mine went from 2, to 150 in 3 days

 

[zachstone13]

get a sump, use a 20 long and silicone 3 baffles into is. check out melevsreef.com for designs. that way when you do get a good skimmer, you can just throw it in there, all youll need is an overflow... more water volume too, you can put lr in there, make a refugium, lot of extra space, there are spots for carbon too.

 

[The Saltwater Kid]

I decided to go with the Aquaclear 70 HOB filter. It actually used to be the AC 300 it says on the box and it has a 300 gph flow rate so that's more than my Magnum had and it'll be easier to change filter media and such. Thanks to all who replied and gave me advice/opinions. I just don't trust when an electrical piece of equipment starts making weird noises and the noises are effected when you touch the powercord...that just screams FIRE HAZARD!!!

 

[Aquabucket]

Good choice! I run one on all my reefs. I bag my own carbon and cut a poly filter to fit across the top of the reservoir. The advantage of an HOB like the aquaclear is the nice wide stream for surface agitation and easy access to the media.

 

[finnley10]

i have a canister with uv and i love it. If you are not lazy and clean it about evry 2-3 weeks they work out great. I always tons of pods hanging out there when i clean in. I run chem clear and filter pads. sometimes carbon. and i have bio balls. My water perameters are nothing less the perfect. yea and dont overfeed.