After a few years without (I have a 90 gallon not suitable for my current living situation), I caved in and bought a 29 gallon setup off of craigslist. It was originally one of those W**-Mart jobs but with the "deluxe" stand. I talked the guy down to $60 for everything. I scrapped the hood (keeping the light for a glass VERS-A-TOP), and replaced the substrate.
The setup came with one of those AquaTech 20-40 HOB filters. I intend to either replace or augment it with another HOB. Initially my intention was to just add an Aquaclear 50, but then I saw that P**smart has the Aquaclear 70 for just a but more $. Should I scrap the AquaTech? Add an Aquaclear 50/70? I could also order an Emperor 400 online for just a bit more and call it a day. Price isn't a huge concern but I'd like to keep this investment under $150 total.
Your advice is much appreciated!
Full Version: 29 Gallon Filter Advice
welcome to koko's 
..if it's for goldies you will need 10x the filtration since they are dirty fish ..so a 29g tank needs to have 290 gph turn over ...what I have done with my 29g tank is kept the one that came with it and bought an aquaclear and I use both so my 29 has 350 gph turn over ....I always run 2 filters if one craps out I still have one going and 2 filters hold a lot more biomedia than one meaning more benifical bacteria to break down waste and it makes it easy to switch out filter pads symotaniously without tweaking your cycle
..if it's for goldies you will need 10x the filtration since they are dirty fish ..so a 29g tank needs to have 290 gph turn over ...what I have done with my 29g tank is kept the one that came with it and bought an aquaclear and I use both so my 29 has 350 gph turn over ....I always run 2 filters if one craps out I still have one going and 2 filters hold a lot more biomedia than one meaning more benifical bacteria to break down waste and it makes it easy to switch out filter pads symotaniously without tweaking your cycle
I run 400s plus on most of my 29-30 gallon tanks. I even have a 400 on a 20. They are very good filters.
I like the Emperor 280 for a 20 gallon better - but they are more expensive than the more popular 400, so I have 400s. Penguin350s..... since they changed them to the "new" type I realy do not know much about it. They are as expensive as the 400 in most cases. They used to come with media baskets. Now-a-days, it seems as if you have to buy the clamshells separately - and they can be hard to find.
I would suggest getting a 400 from BigAls. You cannot go wrong with it. You can stuff extra media in it, make your own cartridges for special needs, cover the intake with gauze for small fish - and still have plenty of gph. Because they are one of the most common filters used, you can get them quite cheap. Take at look at Pet Sm*t's online prices - they match in stores - and that can save you a lot. If it is cheaper than adding shipping to BigAl's price, it is GREAT!
The Whipser Filters are good, strong ones. I am fonder of the Emperors because they provide me with lots more options for media and other special needs. Tetra filters tend to be the low end of quality. Most of the ones I have had have died over the years. I hang on to the filter boxes, though, for they can be marvelous when you add in a water pump and a hose - you can make a powered sponge filter for fry or a supplemental addition to a Rubbermaid easily with those filter boxes. I would say - hang onto what you have - it could be VERY handy in the future, but invest in a 400.
http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl36...l400powerfilter
PetS is $42.99 right now.
I like the Emperor 280 for a 20 gallon better - but they are more expensive than the more popular 400, so I have 400s. Penguin350s..... since they changed them to the "new" type I realy do not know much about it. They are as expensive as the 400 in most cases. They used to come with media baskets. Now-a-days, it seems as if you have to buy the clamshells separately - and they can be hard to find.
I would suggest getting a 400 from BigAls. You cannot go wrong with it. You can stuff extra media in it, make your own cartridges for special needs, cover the intake with gauze for small fish - and still have plenty of gph. Because they are one of the most common filters used, you can get them quite cheap. Take at look at Pet Sm*t's online prices - they match in stores - and that can save you a lot. If it is cheaper than adding shipping to BigAl's price, it is GREAT!
The Whipser Filters are good, strong ones. I am fonder of the Emperors because they provide me with lots more options for media and other special needs. Tetra filters tend to be the low end of quality. Most of the ones I have had have died over the years. I hang on to the filter boxes, though, for they can be marvelous when you add in a water pump and a hose - you can make a powered sponge filter for fry or a supplemental addition to a Rubbermaid easily with those filter boxes. I would say - hang onto what you have - it could be VERY handy in the future, but invest in a 400.
http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl36...l400powerfilter
PetS is $42.99 right now.
QUOTE(daryl @ May 9 2008, 04:55 AM) 
I run 400s plus on most of my 29-30 gallon tanks. I even have a 400 on a 20. They are very good filters.
I would suggest getting a 400 from BigAls. You cannot go wrong with it. You can stuff extra media in it, make your own cartridges for special needs, cover the intake with gauze for small fish - and still have plenty of gph. Because they are one of the most common filters used, you can get them quite cheap. Take at look at Pet Sm*t's online prices - they match in stores - and that can save you a lot. If it is cheaper than adding shipping to BigAl's price, it is GREAT!
PetS is $42.99 right now.
I would suggest getting a 400 from BigAls. You cannot go wrong with it. You can stuff extra media in it, make your own cartridges for special needs, cover the intake with gauze for small fish - and still have plenty of gph. Because they are one of the most common filters used, you can get them quite cheap. Take at look at Pet Sm*t's online prices - they match in stores - and that can save you a lot. If it is cheaper than adding shipping to BigAl's price, it is GREAT!
PetS is $42.99 right now.
Thanks, Daryl! At that price, it seems like one Emperor 400 could be the end-all solution. I wasn't aware that stores would match online pricing...
I don't think you could go wrong buying the Emporer 400. It is a great filter. I use one on my 20g calico tank.
When you get somwhere you can use your 90g you will be that much closer then as well. I bought a backup one last week at a lFS for 39.99 on sale. It came with the baskets and everything.
The newer version doesn't have the flow control switch that the old one has, but that isn't a big deal imo.
When you get somwhere you can use your 90g you will be that much closer then as well. I bought a backup one last week at a lFS for 39.99 on sale. It came with the baskets and everything.
The newer version doesn't have the flow control switch that the old one has, but that isn't a big deal imo.
i like all the emperor and penguin filters. between the 400 and the 350, i think i personally like the penguin 350 better. whenever i turn them off for water changes, the 350 is usually able to start itself up once the water level is sufficient again. the 400 usually takes a bit of water pouring into the filter to get started. (both are good though!)
also.. you could still use the filter that came with the tank. it would come in handy if you ever have a sick fish and need to set up a quarantine on short notice. you can just move the extra filter over.
i also find that be keeping more than 1 HOB running, i can alternate cleaning them.
also.. you could still use the filter that came with the tank. it would come in handy if you ever have a sick fish and need to set up a quarantine on short notice. you can just move the extra filter over.
i also find that be keeping more than 1 HOB running, i can alternate cleaning them.
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