AquaClear vs. Magnum vs. Emperor ?

[xbit]

I've googled the heck out of this, but I've yet to find anything
resembling "the great filter shoot-off".

I just now upgrading from my 55gal tank to a 220. So I'm looking to get
the best filtration for the buck. the tank came with one Magnum 350 pro
but I KNOW I need more.

I'm sure there are others that could be added to the list of filters
below but theses are rather common. Does anyone have an expert opinion
on the filters listed, or even ones on listed?

thanks.



The Magnum 350 pro:

Has two bio wheels, but it also has the canister w/ multiple filters and
a large areas for lots of carbon. It can pump at 350 GPH.

The AquaClear 110 (was 500):

this monster pumps at 500 GPH.

Emperor 400:

this guys has a bio wheel and pumps 400 GPH.


---

[Charles]

On Sat, 24 Sep 2005 09:24:16 -0700, xbit <" "> wrote:

>I've googled the heck out of this, but I've yet to find anything
>resembling "the great filter shoot-off".
>
>I just now upgrading from my 55gal tank to a 220. So I'm looking to get
>the best filtration for the buck. the tank came with one Magnum 350 pro
>but I KNOW I need more.
>
>I'm sure there are others that could be added to the list of filters
>below but theses are rather common. Does anyone have an expert opinion
>on the filters listed, or even ones on listed?
>
>thanks.
>
>
>
>The Magnum 350 pro:
>
>Has two bio wheels, but it also has the canister w/ multiple filters and
>a large areas for lots of carbon. It can pump at 350 GPH.
>
>The AquaClear 110 (was 500):
>
>this monster pumps at 500 GPH.
>
>Emperor 400:
>
>this guys has a bio wheel and pumps 400 GPH.
>
>
>---


Just a couple comments.

My Magnum 350, pre biowheel model, is hard to get primed properly. It
is difficult to purge all the air, so the filter remains noisy.
Purging can be done, just dificult.

Aquaclear 500, mine are noisy, some fibration from the motor carries
through the plastic box.

Biowheels at my house end up not working after a few months, I have
very hard water.

My newest try is with a Fluval 304, so far (only a few days) no
problems.


someone else asked about carbom or alternatives for the Magnum
recently, check out the threads here.

Have you looked at NetMax's site? He has lots of good info.

[Jeff Fox]

On Sat, 24 Sep 2005 09:24:16 -0700, xbit wrote:

> I've googled the heck out of this, but I've yet to find anything
> resembling "the great filter shoot-off".
>
> I just now upgrading from my 55gal tank to a 220. So I'm looking to get
> the best filtration for the buck. the tank came with one Magnum 350 pro
> but I KNOW I need more.
>
> I'm sure there are others that could be added to the list of filters
> below but theses are rather common. Does anyone have an expert opinion
> on the filters listed, or even ones on listed?
>
> thanks.
>


I used to keep a 90 gallon cichlid tank.

I ran a Magnum 350 with the micron filter all the time for mechanical
filtration. I had two micron filters and would swap them monthly. I'd soak
the dirty one in a mild bleach solution for a few days and then rinse it
and soak again in clean tap water for a week or so to let all of the
bleach evaporate. I'd change the water daily. When the weather was good
I'd let it sit out in the sun for a couple of days. I figured that UV was
a good way to help clean it. I had crystal clear water.
I tried the blue filter stuff in the magnum for a while but it was a pain
so I just switched to the microns.

For biological filtration I used a Penguin 330 (if I remember right, it
was a big HOB from Marineland). It had two bio-wheels. I had reusable
filter cartridges for it. This filter had two extra media baskets. I'd put
crushed up volcanic rock in those. I got a 50 pound bag of this stuff,
it's the red and black landscaping rock, for a few bucks at home depot.
I broke up the bigger pieces with a hammer.

I did not worry about chemical filtration. I never ran carbon or anything
else.

The tank was very stable for 3 years with a bunch of African cichlids.

In article >, xbit <" "> says...
> I've googled the heck out of this, but I've yet to find anything
> resembling "the great filter shoot-off".
>
> I just now upgrading from my 55gal tank to a 220. So I'm looking to get
> the best filtration for the buck. the tank came with one Magnum 350 pro
> but I KNOW I need more.
>
> I'm sure there are others that could be added to the list of filters
I have run Auqaclear filters for years and while they are decent quality
inexpensive filters that do a pretty good job, I have had battles
keeping the noise down on many of them.

I am now running an Emperor and love it. Quiet, other than the water
spraying on the bio-wheel and splashing gently back into the tank.

I prefer the Aquaclear inserts for their economy (rinse/reuse) over the
emperor's disposable cartridges but I do love the Emperor's overall
quietness.

To be honest I can't recommend one of the other. They both have their
strong points.

I ran a Fluval canister filter many years ago and liked it quite a lot.
However it was a pain getting it primed and just cleaning it. However I
have no experience with the newest models. They certainly appear to
have corrected all my "complaints" with their older models.


> below but theses are rather common. Does anyone have an expert opinion
> on the filters listed, or even ones on listed?
>
> thanks.
>
>
>
> The Magnum 350 pro:
>
> Has two bio wheels, but it also has the canister w/ multiple filters and
> a large areas for lots of carbon. It can pump at 350 GPH.
>
> The AquaClear 110 (was 500):
>
> this monster pumps at 500 GPH.
>
> Emperor 400:
>
> this guys has a bio wheel and pumps 400 GPH.
>
>
> ---
>

[Elaine T]

xbit wrote:
> I've googled the heck out of this, but I've yet to find anything
> resembling "the great filter shoot-off".
>
> I just now upgrading from my 55gal tank to a 220. So I'm looking to get
> the best filtration for the buck. the tank came with one Magnum 350 pro
> but I KNOW I need more.
>
> I'm sure there are others that could be added to the list of filters
> below but theses are rather common. Does anyone have an expert opinion
> on the filters listed, or even ones on listed?
>
> thanks.
>
>
>
> The Magnum 350 pro:
>
> Has two bio wheels, but it also has the canister w/ multiple filters and
> a large areas for lots of carbon. It can pump at 350 GPH.
>
> The AquaClear 110 (was 500):
>
> this monster pumps at 500 GPH.
>
> Emperor 400:
>
> this guys has a bio wheel and pumps 400 GPH.
>

I saw your fish list and was wondering if you don't want to consider a
sump with a trickle (wet/dry) filter. Trickle filters have tremendous
biological capacity and by the time you've bought two or three of the
filters listed above, you're probably close to the cost of a nice sump
setup. It's also not terribly hard to build your own out of a smaller
fishtank - probably 30 gallons or so in your case.

The only disadvantage is that it's best to have the tank drilled so you
can fit a standpipe or horizontal overflow, however many specialty
marine fish stores are very good at drilling tanks.

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

[Rick]

"Elaine T" > wrote in message
...
> xbit wrote:
>> I've googled the heck out of this, but I've yet to find anything
>> resembling "the great filter shoot-off".
>>
>> I just now upgrading from my 55gal tank to a 220. So I'm looking to get
>> the best filtration for the buck. the tank came with one Magnum 350 pro
>> but I KNOW I need more.
>>
>> I'm sure there are others that could be added to the list of filters
>> below but theses are rather common. Does anyone have an expert opinion on
>> the filters listed, or even ones on listed?
>>
>> thanks.
>>
>>
>>
>> The Magnum 350 pro:
>>
>> Has two bio wheels, but it also has the canister w/ multiple filters and
>> a large areas for lots of carbon. It can pump at 350 GPH.
>>
>> The AquaClear 110 (was 500):
>>
>> this monster pumps at 500 GPH.
>>
>> Emperor 400:
>>
>> this guys has a bio wheel and pumps 400 GPH.
>>
>
> I saw your fish list and was wondering if you don't want to consider a
> sump with a trickle (wet/dry) filter. Trickle filters have tremendous
> biological capacity and by the time you've bought two or three of the
> filters listed above, you're probably close to the cost of a nice sump
> setup. It's also not terribly hard to build your own out of a smaller
> fishtank - probably 30 gallons or so in your case.
>
> The only disadvantage is that it's best to have the tank drilled so you
> can fit a standpipe or horizontal overflow, however many specialty marine
> fish stores are very good at drilling tanks.
>
> --
> Elaine T __
> http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
> rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

I have a sump wet/dry, cost around 300 - 350 US including the pump and
return. I added a T to the return hose and made 2 retunes that way. You
don't need to drill your tank, they make an overflow skimmer that hangs on
the back just like a filter
would (that's what made it 350).
I have 2 AquaClear filters a 110 and a 70, both run quiet as far as the
motor goes, but some times I have to jiggle the cap of the 70 to kill a
small vibration. It seems to happen after maintenance and a restart, but
that's the only time. I keep 2 sponges in each of the baskets so when
cleaning I just grab the one on the bottom and clean it and put the top one
on the bottom without cleaning, then the clean one gets put on the top. I do
this every 2 or the weeks, very easy.
I also have an Emperor 280, but in stead of buying the rather expensive
filter cartridges (8 US for 2), I took the floss off the front of the
cartridge and dumped the charcoal and use the plastic frame as a backing for
the same very inexpensive floss I use in my sump system. Just shove a cut to
fit peace in the front of it. Cost is about 5 cent or so that way. In
addition to the bio-wheel, it came with a second cartridge that you can add
what ever media you need (charcoal for removing meds, whatever) which I
added a slightly porous media to aid in bacteria buildup.
Out of the 3 types, I like the sump the best, but I run the small AquaClear
and a small powerhead in the bottom half, all on the same tank. As others
have said in here before, it seams to be a good idea to mix up some filters
on the bigger tanks, you get the best of all that way. (ofcourse cost is
always a factor) But most of us (I believe) are in this for the long haul,
and an investent now should last for many many years.

[fish lover]

On Sat, 24 Sep 2005 16:37:38 GMT, Charles >
wrote:

>On Sat, 24 Sep 2005 09:24:16 -0700, xbit <" "> wrote:
>
>>I've googled the heck out of this, but I've yet to find anything
>>resembling "the great filter shoot-off".
>>
>>I just now upgrading from my 55gal tank to a 220. So I'm looking to get
>>the best filtration for the buck. the tank came with one Magnum 350 pro
>>but I KNOW I need more.
>>
>>I'm sure there are others that could be added to the list of filters
>>below but theses are rather common. Does anyone have an expert opinion
>>on the filters listed, or even ones on listed?
>>
>>thanks.
>>
>>
>>
>>The Magnum 350 pro:
>>
>>Has two bio wheels, but it also has the canister w/ multiple filters and
>>a large areas for lots of carbon. It can pump at 350 GPH.
>>
>>The AquaClear 110 (was 500):
>>
>>this monster pumps at 500 GPH.
>>
>>Emperor 400:
>>
>>this guys has a bio wheel and pumps 400 GPH.
>>
>>
>>---
>
>
>Just a couple comments.
>
>My Magnum 350, pre biowheel model, is hard to get primed properly. It
>is difficult to purge all the air, so the filter remains noisy.
>Purging can be done, just dificult.
>
>Aquaclear 500, mine are noisy, some fibration from the motor carries
>through the plastic box.
>
>Biowheels at my house end up not working after a few months, I have
>very hard water.
>
>My newest try is with a Fluval 304, so far (only a few days) no
>problems.
>
>
>someone else asked about carbom or alternatives for the Magnum
>recently, check out the threads here.
>
>Have you looked at NetMax's site? He has lots of good info.

I have a 125 g tank and ran a Fluval 304 and a 404. 304 is designed
for up to 70 g and 404 is for up to 100. I had only one 404 running
for about 1/2 year before I decided it was not enough for the 125 g
tank. The water was never crystal clean ever since I had it.

I just added the 304 few days ago and the water is now in much better
shape.

Here are the few things to watch for:

1. the 404 is a bit noiser than the 304. If you are very picky about
it, you may have to think twice abou it since you are going to need 3
of them and they are not cheap.

2. You have to be careful with the water flow to make sure no standing
pocket of water

3. You need to make sure to have a finer floss to take out the small
particles. My water still have some floaters in it and there is
nothing much I can do.

4. Changing the filters are not an easy task since you have to open it
up.

[Elaine T]

Rick wrote:

<snip>
> I have a sump wet/dry, cost around 300 - 350 US including the pump and
> return. I added a T to the return hose and made 2 retunes that way. You
> don't need to drill your tank, they make an overflow skimmer that hangs on
> the back just like a filter

After working in a fish store with both drilled tanks and various brands
of overflow boxes, I'm pretty comfortable recommending drilling for all
tanks with sumps. We had a few clusters of big tanks that had never
been drilled but rather had the overflow skimmers you mention. Those
tanks were never 100% reliable, and the last thing we had to do every
night at closing was to check all the J tubes. If someone forgot, we'd
come in to a major flood from the automatic top-off system. I honestly
can't remember a drilled tank with a standpipe ever flooding, and we had
over a hundred on the main systems. Floods in a fish store aren't
usually a big deal, but even one flood in your living room can be.

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

[NetMax]

"Charles" > wrote in message
...
> On Sat, 24 Sep 2005 09:24:16 -0700, xbit <" "> wrote:
>
>>I've googled the heck out of this, but I've yet to find anything
>>resembling "the great filter shoot-off".
>>
>>I just now upgrading from my 55gal tank to a 220. So I'm looking to get
>>the best filtration for the buck. the tank came with one Magnum 350 pro
>>but I KNOW I need more.
>>
>>I'm sure there are others that could be added to the list of filters
>>below but theses are rather common. Does anyone have an expert opinion
>>on the filters listed, or even ones on listed?
>>
>>thanks.
>>
>>
>>
>>The Magnum 350 pro:
>>
>>Has two bio wheels, but it also has the canister w/ multiple filters and
>>a large areas for lots of carbon. It can pump at 350 GPH.
>>
>>The AquaClear 110 (was 500):
>>
>>this monster pumps at 500 GPH.
>>
>>Emperor 400:
>>
>>this guys has a bio wheel and pumps 400 GPH.
>>
>>
>>---
>
>
> Just a couple comments.
>
> My Magnum 350, pre biowheel model, is hard to get primed properly. It
> is difficult to purge all the air, so the filter remains noisy.
> Purging can be done, just dificult.
>
> Aquaclear 500, mine are noisy, some fibration from the motor carries
> through the plastic box.
>
> Biowheels at my house end up not working after a few months, I have
> very hard water.
>
> My newest try is with a Fluval 304, so far (only a few days) no
> problems.
>
>
> someone else asked about carbom or alternatives for the Magnum
> recently, check out the threads here.
>
> Have you looked at NetMax's site? He has lots of good info.

Thanks Charles, except that I didn't do a good job covering the Magnum. I
had very mixed feelings about using the 350, some things I really didn't
like (ie: hose fittings) and others were really nice (ie: clear plastic
housing). Kind of like test driving a Saab after being raised on
North-American cars ;~). In the end I think I decided that I'd need more
experience before I could comment semi-intelligently on the Magnum 350, so I
stayed quiet.

To xbit, the best filters are the ones which fit your maintenance tolerance
and suit your application.
The best filters are rarely the ones which suit the budget :o(.
--
www.NetMax.tk

[Charles]

On Sat, 24 Sep 2005 18:19:38 -0400, "NetMax"
> wrote:

>"Charles" > wrote in message
...
>> On Sat, 24 Sep 2005 09:24:16 -0700, xbit <" "> wrote:
>>
>>>I've googled the heck out of this, but I've yet to find anything
>>>resembling "the great filter shoot-off".
>>>
>>>I just now upgrading from my 55gal tank to a 220. So I'm looking to get
>>>the best filtration for the buck. the tank came with one Magnum 350 pro
>>>but I KNOW I need more.
>>>
>>>I'm sure there are others that could be added to the list of filters
>>>below but theses are rather common. Does anyone have an expert opinion
>>>on the filters listed, or even ones on listed?
>>>
>>>thanks.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>The Magnum 350 pro:
>>>
>>>Has two bio wheels, but it also has the canister w/ multiple filters and
>>>a large areas for lots of carbon. It can pump at 350 GPH.
>>>
>>>The AquaClear 110 (was 500):
>>>
>>>this monster pumps at 500 GPH.
>>>
>>>Emperor 400:
>>>
>>>this guys has a bio wheel and pumps 400 GPH.
>>>
>>>
>>>---
>>
>>
>> Just a couple comments.
>>
>> My Magnum 350, pre biowheel model, is hard to get primed properly. It
>> is difficult to purge all the air, so the filter remains noisy.
>> Purging can be done, just dificult.
>>
>> Aquaclear 500, mine are noisy, some fibration from the motor carries
>> through the plastic box.
>>
>> Biowheels at my house end up not working after a few months, I have
>> very hard water.
>>
>> My newest try is with a Fluval 304, so far (only a few days) no
>> problems.
>>
>>
>> someone else asked about carbom or alternatives for the Magnum
>> recently, check out the threads here.
>>
>> Have you looked at NetMax's site? He has lots of good info.
>
>Thanks Charles, except that I didn't do a good job covering the Magnum. I
>had very mixed feelings about using the 350, some things I really didn't
>like (ie: hose fittings) and others were really nice (ie: clear plastic
>housing). Kind of like test driving a Saab after being raised on
>North-American cars ;~). In the end I think I decided that I'd need more
>experience before I could comment semi-intelligently on the Magnum 350, so I
>stayed quiet.

I like the 350 well enough for occasional use with the micron filter,
but the HOT Magnum is more convenient. The 350 was such a nuisance to
get primed and purged, I didn't like it as a permanent filter. I
didn't throw mine away yet, but it is gathering dust.
>
>To xbit, the best filters are the ones which fit your maintenance tolerance
>and suit your application.
>The best filters are rarely the ones which suit the budget :o(.

[Rick]

"Elaine T" > wrote in message
...
> Rick wrote:
>
> <snip>
>> I have a sump wet/dry, cost around 300 - 350 US including the pump and
>> return. I added a T to the return hose and made 2 retunes that way. You
>> don't need to drill your tank, they make an overflow skimmer that hangs
>> on the back just like a filter
>
> After working in a fish store with both drilled tanks and various brands
> of overflow boxes, I'm pretty comfortable recommending drilling for all
> tanks with sumps. We had a few clusters of big tanks that had never been
> drilled but rather had the overflow skimmers you mention. Those tanks
> were never 100% reliable, and the last thing we had to do every night at
> closing was to check all the J tubes. If someone forgot, we'd come in to
> a major flood from the automatic top-off system. I honestly can't
> remember a drilled tank with a standpipe ever flooding, and we had over a
> hundred on the main systems. Floods in a fish store aren't usually a big
> deal, but even one flood in your living room can be.
>
> --
> Elaine T __
> http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
> rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

I can't argue with that :) and I did have a minor flood once. It was
totally my fault though, I removed the skimmer part to clean and left the J
tube on. I realized quickly what was happening and had a mess to clean,
lesson learned. Other then that, if the skimmer is not removed, and the
system is shut down, the water has to stop and thus can't over flow (believe
me, after one flood I wasn't about to let it happen again). I tried to make
it overflow (varying water levels, power shut offs ect), because I couldn't
imagine coming home to a suprize like that. I could not make it over flow if
I didn't remove any parts.
One more note, drilling the tank would be like getting a tattoo, if that's
not really the way you want to go, it's too late, can't go back, holes
there.
One more note, after lurking here for some time, I must say, that you are
definitely one of the persons that I consider a good source of information.

[Elaine T]

Rick wrote:
> "Elaine T" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>Rick wrote:
>>
>><snip>
>>
>>>I have a sump wet/dry, cost around 300 - 350 US including the pump and
>>>return. I added a T to the return hose and made 2 retunes that way. You
>>>don't need to drill your tank, they make an overflow skimmer that hangs
>>>on the back just like a filter
>>
>>After working in a fish store with both drilled tanks and various brands
>>of overflow boxes, I'm pretty comfortable recommending drilling for all
>>tanks with sumps. We had a few clusters of big tanks that had never been
>>drilled but rather had the overflow skimmers you mention. Those tanks
>>were never 100% reliable, and the last thing we had to do every night at
>>closing was to check all the J tubes. If someone forgot, we'd come in to
>>a major flood from the automatic top-off system. I honestly can't
>>remember a drilled tank with a standpipe ever flooding, and we had over a
>>hundred on the main systems. Floods in a fish store aren't usually a big
>>deal, but even one flood in your living room can be.
>>
>>--
>>Elaine T __
>>http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
>>rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com
>
>
> I can't argue with that :) and I did have a minor flood once. It was
> totally my fault though, I removed the skimmer part to clean and left the J
> tube on. I realized quickly what was happening and had a mess to clean,
> lesson learned. Other then that, if the skimmer is not removed, and the
> system is shut down, the water has to stop and thus can't over flow (believe
> me, after one flood I wasn't about to let it happen again). I tried to make
> it overflow (varying water levels, power shut offs ect), because I couldn't
> imagine coming home to a suprize like that. I could not make it over flow if
> I didn't remove any parts.
> One more note, drilling the tank would be like getting a tattoo, if that's
> not really the way you want to go, it's too late, can't go back, holes
> there.
> One more note, after lurking here for some time, I must say, that you are
> definitely one of the persons that I consider a good source of information.
>

Thanks! :-)

Sounds like your overflow has a very good design - some do. The main
problem with ours was that the J tubes tended to get bubbles in them and
the siphon would break. Water level sensors that shut off pumps are
helpful too, although then the biomedia is left high and dry.

True that once drilled, there's no going back. But drilled overflows
are soooo nice... One of these years I'm going to get a nice, big
Seaclear tank with the built in corner overflow.

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

[NetMax]

"Rick" > wrote in message
m...
>
> "Elaine T" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Rick wrote:
>>
>> <snip>
>>> I have a sump wet/dry, cost around 300 - 350 US including the pump
>>> and return. I added a T to the return hose and made 2 retunes that
>>> way. You don't need to drill your tank, they make an overflow skimmer
>>> that hangs on the back just like a filter
>>
>> After working in a fish store with both drilled tanks and various
>> brands of overflow boxes, I'm pretty comfortable recommending drilling
>> for all tanks with sumps. We had a few clusters of big tanks that had
>> never been drilled but rather had the overflow skimmers you mention.
>> Those tanks were never 100% reliable, and the last thing we had to do
>> every night at closing was to check all the J tubes. If someone
>> forgot, we'd come in to a major flood from the automatic top-off
>> system. I honestly can't remember a drilled tank with a standpipe
>> ever flooding, and we had over a hundred on the main systems. Floods
>> in a fish store aren't usually a big deal, but even one flood in your
>> living room can be.
>>
>> --
>> Elaine T __
>> http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
>> rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com
>
> I can't argue with that :) and I did have a minor flood once. It was
> totally my fault though, I removed the skimmer part to clean and left
> the J tube on. I realized quickly what was happening and had a mess to
> clean, lesson learned. Other then that, if the skimmer is not removed,
> and the system is shut down, the water has to stop and thus can't over
> flow (believe me, after one flood I wasn't about to let it happen
> again). I tried to make it overflow (varying water levels, power shut
> offs ect), because I couldn't imagine coming home to a suprize like
> that. I could not make it over flow if I didn't remove any parts.
> One more note, drilling the tank would be like getting a tattoo, if
> that's not really the way you want to go, it's too late, can't go back,
> holes there.
> One more note, after lurking here for some time, I must say, that you
> are definitely one of the persons that I consider a good source of
> information.


re: permanence of standpipe, couldn't you just make a glass plug, or
silicone an oversized sheet of glass on it (not pretty but it is under
the gravel).

re: Elaine, definitely.
--
www.NetMax.tk

[Zathoros]

Well I don't know if it's an issue with the 110, but I bought a aqua clear
70. The gap to hang it over the side of the tank was too small to fit on my
75 gallon aquarium, it's a glass tank with a plastic frame on the top and
bottom. I have a penguin 330, and was wanting to add some back up
filtration. The penguin fits on my tank just about right, you'd think the
aqua clear would have as well. As for the penguin filters everyone seems to
like them, and go on about the bio wheels, but I find they don't spin the
majority of the time.


"xbit" <" "> wrote in message ...
> I've googled the heck out of this, but I've yet to find anything
> resembling "the great filter shoot-off".
>
> I just now upgrading from my 55gal tank to a 220. So I'm looking to get
> the best filtration for the buck. the tank came with one Magnum 350 pro
> but I KNOW I need more.
>
> I'm sure there are others that could be added to the list of filters below
> but theses are rather common. Does anyone have an expert opinion on the
> filters listed, or even ones on listed?
>
> thanks.
>
>
>
> The Magnum 350 pro:
>
> Has two bio wheels, but it also has the canister w/ multiple filters and a
> large areas for lots of carbon. It can pump at 350 GPH.
>
> The AquaClear 110 (was 500):
>
> this monster pumps at 500 GPH.
>
> Emperor 400:
>
> this guys has a bio wheel and pumps 400 GPH.

[Rick]

"Zathoros" > wrote in message
news:XtrZe.7840$TQ3.4322@trnddc05...
> Well I don't know if it's an issue with the 110, but I bought a aqua clear
> 70. The gap to hang it over the side of the tank was too small to fit on
> my 75 gallon aquarium, it's a glass tank with a plastic frame on the top
> and bottom. I have a penguin 330, and was wanting to add some back up
> filtration. The penguin fits on my tank just about right, you'd think the
> aqua clear would have as well. As for the penguin filters everyone seems
> to like them, and go on about the bio wheels, but I find they don't spin
> the majority of the time.
>
>
> "xbit" <" "> wrote in message ...
>> I've googled the heck out of this, but I've yet to find anything
>> resembling "the great filter shoot-off".
>>
>> I just now upgrading from my 55gal tank to a 220. So I'm looking to get
>> the best filtration for the buck. the tank came with one Magnum 350 pro
>> but I KNOW I need more.
>>
>> I'm sure there are others that could be added to the list of filters
>> below but theses are rather common. Does anyone have an expert opinion on
>> the filters listed, or even ones on listed?
>>
>> thanks.
>>
>>
>>
>> The Magnum 350 pro:
>>
>> Has two bio wheels, but it also has the canister w/ multiple filters and
>> a large areas for lots of carbon. It can pump at 350 GPH.
>>
>> The AquaClear 110 (was 500):
>>
>> this monster pumps at 500 GPH.
>>
>> Emperor 400:
>>
>> this guys has a bio wheel and pumps 400 GPH.
>
>

The 110 will fit, and I had the same problem with the 70. I just carved a
small notch it the plastic, (it's piece, about 1/8in on the filter that
makes it not fit) and it fits fine. Poor design, but I'm sure its sold to be
the only filter on smaller tanks, not an addition on bigger tans.

[Rick]

One of these years I'm going to get a nice, big
Seaclear tank with the built in corner overflow.
>
> --
> Elaine T __
> http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
> rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

LOL aren't we all?