Best filtration for 60G?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
L

LadyLoach

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Nov 26, 2010
25
0
1
Central California
I decided to upgrade the filtration on my 60 gallon tank recently and have come across a couple options and I'd like some opinions. I'm looking at the Cascade 1000 and the Aquatop CF400UV on Amazon. I'm your basic budget shopper so price/quality matters. ;)

My tank is planted (soon to be heavily planted at the rate some of them are growing) and is stocked with mostly juvenile fish.

1 - male betta
2 - Discus (2" & 3")
4 - B. Histrionica (2-3")
1 - B. Rostrata 3.5"
8 - B. Striata (2.5-3")
2 - Electric Blue Rams 1"
1 - Ottocinclus Cat 1.5"

I plan to upgrade to maybe a 90gal some time next year (perhaps a Christmas present to myself...) so having a filter that can handle the larger tank would be great, but I am not avers to combining different filters. Right now I'm relying on the mystery HOB filter that came with my original 29gal from about 1.5 years ago, and a Marineland Maxi-Jet for extra flow. Way too under-powered for my liking, but gets the job done for the moment.

I do weekly water changes of approx. 25 gallons and my water parameters are always good (no Ammonia or Nitrites, low Nitrates etc.) so I'm in the clear for now, but I'd still like to add a new, more powerful filter to the mix before this one becomes overwhelmed. :)

Any recommendations on other filters that are worth considering? I'd like to spend below $150 if at all possible. (my fiance thinks I'm crazy enough without me spending that kind of cash on a filter)
 
Just purchased an Aqua Top my self. Love the built in UV. Good flow for a planted tank. I have mine on a 60gal as well. I really like it for planted tanks because it has a switch on top to shut off the UV light. So if the tank starts getting green algea, i flip on the light for a day or so. Ive only been running it for about a month. So i have no advice on the long term preformance. But i dont think this thing will handle a 90gal on its own. If you wanted to get a canister that would work for the 90gal, id go with an FX5. Most powerful canister and decently priced around. Going for 250 on Amazon right now. 250 is cheep for one canister that could handle up to a 150 gal tank by itself.

Tell her that it was a wedding present from a buddy. Fish will be there to relax you when times get rough. Treat your fish well and you will be happy.
 
Ive also been toying with the idea about HOB or Canisters for my new project. Im 89% sold on the FX5 but dont know how i can sneak the extra $235 on without my wife flipping out.
 
I use 2 emporer 400's on my 75. They aren't too high on cost. Sometimes you can get them on Dr. Foster and Smith for under 50.00 each. I like the bio wheels on them. Cartridges aren't cheap but Foster and Smith has them in 4 packs at a reasonable price. Also Dr. Foster and Smith website has free shipping on orders over 50.00.
 
Just scored an Aquatop CF500 UV on Ebay for $97, only $9 more than I was going to spend on the CF400UV so I'm feeling pretty good.

Wish I could get my fi' to fall for that mzhantsche, but he knows me to well. ^_^; Luckly, he's the man in this relationship, so I can bat my eyelashes at him till he forgets about it. Better yet, he just bought an Ipad...so I have some wiggle room with my measly $97 expense~

Just cause I'm paranoid, I'll add an extra filter when I get the 90gal. Maybe he won't notice if I put it on the gift registry...:naughty:
 
I'd look for a used AQ110. You can find them for cheap and they last FOREVER ( if you don't get sand in them or physically break it yourself)
 
Set the Aquatop up and it is working like a champ! Great flow and quiet to boot. There's only a gentle hum that I barely hear over my HoB filters. It even came with some media! (wasn't expecting that) I was worried about the plastic on the input/output pieces, but while they are more delicate than I would like, I had no trouble setting it up and don't expect to break them with regular wear & tear. Glad I didn't go with the fluvals like my Dad was suggesting!
 
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