Help with initial setup

[skiwez]

Hi All,

I used to have an aquarium quite a few years ago. Have noticed that many things have changed and would like to get some insight.

I just bought a 55 gallon tank and looking to set up a proper filtration system. Is wet-dry the way to go? Are there better more efficient ways of filtering?

I'm looking to house cichclids in the tank. Currently doing research to find the most appropiate kind.

 

[messiner]

on a 55 you could do a wet dry but the tank is a little small for one, so i would go with a couple med sezed canisters instead. wet drys are awesome if you could do it but one would be small for a 55. so what im saying is............its up to you.

 

[Lil_Stinker]

Hi All,

I used to have an aquarium quite a few years ago. Have noticed that many things have changed and would like to get some insight.

I just bought a 55 gallon tank and looking to set up a proper filtration system. Is wet-dry the way to go? Are there better more efficient ways of filtering?

I'm looking to house cichclids in the tank. Currently doing research to find the most appropiate kind.

I am using Penguin 350b with bio wheel on 3 different 55gs. I like them and they are simple to maintain. you can loose the store bought cartridges if you like & use bulk filter material cut to size (basically loose the carbon). I actually use 4 cartridges in the filter & change them 2 @ a time. (I keep the carbon)

I would agree w/messiner a 55 is a bit small for an efficient wet/dry setup. I like the bio wheel because it is essentialy a wet/dry wheel that rotates in & out of the water providing excellent breeding for bacteria.

Just my thoughts on it..

 

[skiwez]

From what I'm reading is that there is very little biologial filtration going on in freshwater tanks as opposed to saltwater.

Is the main filtration being done with water changes?


Thanks for the help

 

[Lil_Stinker]

From what I'm reading is that there is very little biologial filtration going on in freshwater tanks as opposed to saltwater.

Is the main filtration being done with water changes?


Thanks for the help

Hmm. not exactly. you need bio filtration & it exists in any established tank. even with just a pump & no "filter", you will have bio filtration. It won't be the best but it exists.

My 1g Beta tank, with a simple UG filter, has biological filtration. the water is awesome & I only change it for peace of mind. It tests fine for months. & Psycho is quite happy.

Biology is our friend

 

[fishieperson321]

I would go with either a Penguin 350 or a Whisper 60. They both are great filters, but if you want a compact wet/dry filter, go with Penguin. I am running a Penguin 150 on my 20 gallon, and so far my water has stayed crystal clear.

 

[skiwez]

thanks for the help

 

[Tongue33]

I loved my Emperor 400 for my 55. I wouldn't go wet/dry "but thats just me" For this size of a tank. The other filters seem to get good reviews as well, that were stated above.