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VOTES: AquaClear

They're inexpensive, very easy to take care of, and don't have the bio-wheel stopping problem. Also, I've heard complaints that the bio wheels can be noisy. AC's are virtually silent, and come in a variety of sizes to fit your needs, or tank rather. A brick wall could do the maintance required for an AC. HTH

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

Go with the Emperor filters. They have a spray bar that will keep the biowheel from stopping spinning. They are easily changed of filters, and IMO are the best HOB filter on the market. They come in two sizes, one filter and biowheel, and two filters and biowheels.

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There is always a bigger fish...

I'd go with an aquaclear, easy to clean and acess, and no wheel to stop rotating.

My mom and i discussed these issues and she wants me to teach her everything i can in the next few years so she will be properly equipped to handle my tank when im away. I hope to go to college probably 14 hr drive away so driving wont be a possibility. If i was to upgrade my bio-wheel what kind should i go with?

I agree, don't ever entrust anyone to care for your fish. They do not share the same love for fishes that you do and chances are it will be a chore. Once it is a chore then disaster will set in. Sell you tank and use the money to buy another one in you college town.


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The calming qualities of a good aquarium are irrefutable

IMO, you shouldn't trust others with your tanks unless they really know what they're doing. If at all possible, try and bring the tank with you. Where do you plan on going to college? A double headed electrical outlet for a heater or styrofoam packaging would easily keep the fish insulated on the drive there. Otherwise, I'd have your parents ship them over. Anyways, all filters require some maintenance, but by far the least demanding filters, IME, are HOBs. Replace the cartridge every so often, and just rinse out the console itself every 6 months or so. If your biowheel is no longer turning, try taking apart the filter and tediously scrub away at every surface (especially the intake tube and impellor). It should be good as new afterwards.

Last edited by Cup_of_Lifenoodles at 20-Nov-2004 11:53

My goal is to be able to keep the tank as clean as possible while i am away! Should i do a canister filter and an internal filter? any opinions would be greatly appreciated!

For example:
http://www.thatpetplace.com/Products/KW/F30/Class/Fish+Supplies+Submersible+Filters/T1/F30+0171+0834/EDP/31201/Itemdy00.aspx

http://www.thatpetplace.com/Products/KW/F22/Class/Fish+Supplies+Canister+Filters/T1/F22+0221+0190/EDP/11631/Itemdy00.aspx

I'm heading off to college in a few years and that will leave my mom to take care of my 20 gallon planted community tank, eeek!! I am trying to teach her everything i can! I have a bio wheel filter that constantly is stopping to turn and i always have to keep turning it. I have tried to replace different parts and clean it out but it just doesn't seem to help.
I was wondering if there were any other types of filter you would recommend i try. I am willing to spend $50-$80 or even more if there is a really good filter that would work. Would an internal filter, cannister filter, or another kind that would work the best? My tank is again a 20 gallon planted with livebearers, gobys, and a paradise fish. Thanks for all your help!

I just got rid of a canister filter over the weekend and put an aquaclear in place.

I had an illness recently and couldn't do the tank maintenance and mum found the canister a nightmare. She watched the aquaclear being hooked up and said;

"Oh that looks easy, even I could do that".

Aquaclear is far less intimidating for mums than a canister that has hoses, tubes, valves and needs priming etc.




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

canister or intermal filter?But what if i wanted to go with a canister or internal filter? which is the best?

Or should i spent more money and get a canister filter?

i would get a cannister.

aquaclears arent all that great IMHO

EDIT** I see that you were thinking about bio-wheels.

In that case, i would get an emperor.

Last edited by victimizati0n at 24-Nov-2004 20:00

You have to get what is going to managable for the person caring for it while you are away?

Will you mum be confident with the canister. If the answer is 'yes' then go for it with no worries!

Last edited by wish-ga at 24-Nov-2004 21:04

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

Hang on. I thought you were off to college in a few months! not years! That is different.

Go for what is best for you.

When the time comes you can re-assess.

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

Will your mom want to take apart a smelly canister filter tho?

Aquaclear filters or any HOB for that matter are much more condusive to cleaning. They're easier to clean, easier to see when to clean and are more likely to be cleaned.

Go with an easy, efficient little hassle filter. Don't get all high tech on someone who doesn't know yet...

Well i think that i might be able to take my tank or have someone to take care of it who is experienced with fish, so forget about difficult maintenance.
Which filter, the aquaclear, or a canister will give me the bset filtration, keep my water the clearest and give me the most value for my money so i will not have to replace it with a new filter in a few years like i am having to do now with the bio wheel?
Thanx for all your help! It is much appreciated!

I just bought an aquaclear and already, by the sound and the surface tension compared to the bio wheel i love it!!! I have a 20 gallon and i got the filter for a 20-50 gallon aquarium.

Hooktor,

I run both the AquaClear (AC) and an Eheim in my tanks. I like the redundancy of two filters. Each has its positives and its negatives.

I set my ACs up with two sponges and without carbon or biorings. The dual sponges provide great mechanical filtration with a tremendous amount of surface area for biological filtration. I highly recommend that you clean your sponge each week when you do your water changes.

Cleaning the sponge means rinsing it under the water that you are siphoning from your aquarium and squeezing the sponge. The sponge is clean when you no longer see any dirt coming from the sponge. It's simple, easy and you will not destroy the bio-load of the sponge by following this procedure.

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

I am almost 100% sure i am going to go with the aquaclear. Is it better to go with one made for a bigger tank than you actually have so it will provide extra filtration? I am so sick of my biowheel stopping! Also just as a side note, my water evaporates really quickly with my biowheel, has anyone else notitced that and do they feel the aquaclear has less of that affect? Thanks for all your help!

I actually like the surface movement that the aquaclear provides.

With a canister filter the surface movement can be manipulated with the spraybar of course. But it can be noisy if it isn't set just so. I usually had it below the water line for the noise factor.

So I prefer the aquaclears type of surface agitation. It can't be manipulated very much but it is quiet but still creates movement.

My aquaclear has noodles at the bottom. Then a sponge on top. Then floss. Noodles at the bottom so you don't have to move them each time you want to rinse the sponge.

All the best for your decision and to your mom too.






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