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I have a 20 gallon long and use the Penguin 170 biowheel. Nice filter, but it seems to have issues with restarting after power outages, etc.

I have a whisper 20 on my ten gallon and I wouldn't hesitate to buy a bigger version for a new tank. It's reliable, flexible (you don't HAVE to use carbon, unlike the penguin cartridges that come with carbon inside them), and I've rarely had an issue with it. I also like the adjustable flow control on it very much.

~Meow. Thus spoke the cat.~

Step up the filter, IMO all the filters that come as part of a "kit" are underrated. Especially when you're dealing with a tall tank like a 29. I wouldnt' hesitate to go with an AC 300...or whatever it is after they went thru and renamed them. If you need additional water circulation (ie: lots of waste collecting on the substrate) you could try adding a powerhead.
Additionally you can always increase waterchanges .

^_^


[hr width='40%']"I'm alright, I'm alright
It only hurts when I breathe"

Is a power head a different type of filter system? I seem to have issues in my 20 gal planted tank. For a filter it has a penguin 170. Should I be running with something a little more powerful?

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Your Topfin is similar to many HOB (Hang On Back) filters. It is rated for your aquarium and it should be serviced once each week like many HOBs.

My preference in HOBs is AquaClear. They are easy to maintain and economical as you do not have to purchase replacement filter cartridges.

I generally run the unit with two sponges instead of the single sponge and media that come with the unit. Each week, I rinse and squeeze the lowest sponge in waste water from the aquarium, the top sponge rotates down. Once each month, I clean the box, riser tube, impeller and impeller cavity.

__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright