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im going to get the filter for my 55g soon and trying to decide what would be better the two im looking at is a aquaclear 500 for 31$ or a fluval 304 for 70$ is the fluval worth the extra the aquaclear is 500gph and fluval is 260gph. the tank is going to be a amazon community with tetra schools and some rams

It really depends on if you what type of filter you want. I'm a fan of HOBs, and ACs in particular, simply because of how easy they are to maintain. If you're going with live plants and will be adding CO2 it might be worth it to go with a cannister....although I have no major problems running ACs on my planted tanks.

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Having a 55g tank, plastic planted with goldfish, I would say GET A CANISTER, its the best filtration available, It would be easy to clean and its not visible if you put it behind the tank.

Many advantages like easy replaceable media, ample mechanical and biological filtration, and of course, chemical filtration.

I've got a Fluval 304. It works ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL but it has a defect: If its not softly cared, the canister basket tends to get breaks and cracks.

I'd say get an Eheim. Not that fluval is not good, its a matter of studyness. I have heard Eheims are the sh1t, are easier serviced and there are models that even have the heater inside.

Anyway, the Fluval is a great buy, but my recommendation goes for Eheim. GO CANISTER, and prefeer to wait for money to spend in a good one instead having hang-on-back filters.

i just got a fluval 304 for my 55usg and it was simple to start and if i were to get another 55usg i would get another 304. i hope the 304 filters just as good as it starts up!

Last edited by BeastKeeper at 29-Nov-2004 02:11