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I'm debating between these two filter types. The Hagen is less expensive but requires three types of filtration media. The BioWheel only requires one. Why does the Aqua Clear have three media and how often do they need to be replaced?

I am setting up a 30 tropical and a 10/15 gallon goldie (maybe guppie) tank.

Thank you.

Adam

http://www.animalworldnetwork.com/aqclfibyha.html
http://www.animalworldnetwork.com/pebipofi.html

Hey Phoenix and welcome to fishprofiles!

I have only used the AquaClear before. I am a big fan of them, but that may be because i am lazy, and they are fairly easy to maintain.

The box recommends you to use three different types of filter media, but i have found you only need two, or if you don't like to use carbon just one. The sponge/foam inserts that is.

It is good to use two foam inserts and one correct sized bag of carbon. If you use three foam inserts it can cause the filter to over-flow, and part of the third foam piece sticks out above the water flow of the filter.

As i said before i might just like this type of filter because i am lazy. But yeah, they are easy to clean and maintain. Just have to rinse the foam inserts out in clean tank water and replace the carbon monthly. And you can clean the impellor housing out with just a cotton bud (those things you use to clean your ears with or what not) and it is fairly simple and easy. Takes 5 minutes tops to clean mine out.

I have an AquaClear 300 on my four foot tank, and it did the job just fine for awhile. It didn't quite get the circulation i needed, but an airstone or two at the other end of the tank fixed that. I now have a Fluval 404 and AquaClear 300 on my 51 gallon tank. It is over doing it abit, but i love the extra filtration.

I have an AquaClear Mini on my 10 gallon tank. Not that the tank is running at the moment, but it did do an awesome job when it was. I have two foam inserts only in both of those filters and that is plenty. I am not a fan of using carbon in filters, but that is because i am cheap and i have a good source of water for my tanks.

I hope this helps. If you have any more questions about AquaClears, just ask me.

Oh and sorry i couldn't give any feedback on the BioWheel filters. Never used them.

-- Gomer

I have both, I run an AC on my 75g because of the larger bio-load. One issue I have with the Penguin is that there is no adjustment for output flow.

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

With my Penguin 330, you can pull the input tube up to reduce the flow.

all the opinions given are greatly appreciated i'm only lost at one point....when you said two foam inserts on the AC what did you mean?

If i purchase this filter:

+ Hagen AquaClear 50 Power Filter #A-610(formerlyAquaClear "200"

Should I purchase a pack of each of these:

+ Hagen AquaClear 50 Foam Insert #A-613 (Formerly Aqua Clear 200 Step 1: Foam Filter Insert)
+ Hagen AquaClear 50 Activated Carbon Insert #A-612 (Formerly Aqua Clear 200 Step 2: Activated Carbon Insert)
+ Hagen AquaClear 50 Ammonia Remover Insert #A-611 (formerly Aqua Clear 200 Step 3: Amrid Ammonia Remover)

And that would be the setup for my 30 gallon. For my 15 or 10 gallon i would just a smaller filer (Aqua Clear 20 "Mini" and which filtration media?

Sorry if these questions are redundant at all but I don't want to purchase anything I don't need.

Also, is a 10 or 15 gallon tank too small to have a small group of goldfish or something cold water like in?


Finally...is an airstone required in either of these setups?

Air stones are generally not required in fish tanks if there is sufficiant surface aggitation, and AquaClears being HOB (hang on back) filters will provide this with the waterfalls they make.

By two foam inserts i mean using two foam inserts. One on top of the other in the media tray. I am not a fan of ammonia removing filter media (e.g. Amrid stuff) as a healthy tank should not need it, as the bacteria should be sufficiant to deal with it.

I would buy two foam inserts and one carbon bag for each of the filters. This way you get maximin biological and mechanical filtration as possible.

-- Gomer

I'm similar to gomer in my set up with the AC's I'm running. My only filter that's not an AC is a store brand HOB filter that's set up the same way. I just run the sponges, give them a rinse out in used tank water as needed. I do keep both carbon and liquid ammoLock on hand for if it's needed so far I've only needed it once.
Biowheels IMO aren't the best if you're thinking of going with a planted tank as the increased surface agitation will reduce the ammount of CO2 in the water. There are a few people that say they run the two together, to me it's a waste though :%).

welcome to the site

^_^[hr width='40%'] Only 13 dives and they're already calling [link=me]http://babelfish.qwertydigital.com/" style="COLOR: #EB4288[/link] a
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I haven't had a biowheel but am a big fan of the Aquaclear HOB because they are so easy to run and care for. I hear that the biowheel can stop going, lots of posts about this in this neighbourhood.

In my big hob I have ceramic noodles (tied in stocking so they are easy to get in and out of the cavity), sponge on top, then floss on top of that.

Little HOB I have sponge and floss with no noodles. (aquaclear mini, 5w)

all the best for your tanks

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~~~ My fish blow kisses at me all day long ~~~

when I bought my last filter I was torn between these two filters. I wound up with the bio wheel penguin, but could just as easily gone the other way. I think I would go with the AC next time tho, because when one replaces the wheel it doesn't always match perfectly and takes some hammerin to get it to work. Although I do like a bio wheel on my filter, The AC is much more customizable. You can buy and put whatever filter media you want, whether it be carbon, sponges, etc.

With the aquaclear, and the whole thing with the sponges, is that you have a little basket that you fill with media. With the penguin bio-wheel there is really one set filter insert and you cannot customize it. Also, i find the aquaclear to be a lot quieter and it is very easy to adjust them and all sizes can be adjusted. I run awuaclears on 3 of my tanks, and i really have liked them a lot.

Hooktor, I am also a fan. I have two. I find them very quiet. That is a good point. I don't like noisy filters.

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~~~ My fish blow kisses at me all day long ~~~