should i get a better canister filter or another hob?

[redbellyPirahna4]

i have a 55gal with 4 red bellied pirahna and they r about 5-6inch big and now the water is starting to get cloudy i have a marineland hang on back filter that is rated for 60gal tanks and a magnum 250 canister filter it was doing good till about a few weeks ago and all the media is fairly new just put in not to long ago would it be better if i got a bigger canister filter or just bought a hob such as a Emperor 400 or something. i know the canister will cost more and the emperor 400 is like only 40 at drfostersandsmith any sugestions and yes i know the tank isnt bigg enough for the red bellies but most likey i will get a bigger one this summer after i save up money from my graduation and from work

i just looked on drfosterandsmith and they have the magnum 350 pro system with the bio wheel on sale for $99
r they any good?

 

[Mattyou]

When you say cloudy do you mean dirty or full of Bio? Does the water smell bad? Are you looking to increase mech or Bio? For my money I would hang an Aqua Clear 70 or 110 on the back and let it go. It will do both Bio and Mech pretty well You stated you plan an upgrade and a AQ-110 is a very powerful filter so it wouldnt be undersized on any tank you might by. It wouldnt be the sole source filter for 75 gal or larger tank if they are well stocked IMO but I know for a fact it will run a light load 125 (2 larger fish, 6" or so, a pleco and syno cat) all on its own with weekly sponge cleaning.

 

[Hawkfish3.0]

^^ I agree. Depending on where the cloudiness is coming from, you may be able to add poly filter to one of your filters to polish the water. It doesn't help that the media in your magnum is new.

 

[redbellyPirahna4]

it does have a slight oddor to it, and when i do a water change it clears up and then in a day or 2 its the same as it was before

 

[Hawkfish3.0]

Too much bio-load for your filters. You're just going to have to wait until your bio-media gets established. You may want to add some Seachem Stabililty. That may help get things jump-started.

 

[Fry]

Too much bio-load for your filters. You're just going to have to wait until your bio-media gets established. You may want to add some Seachem Stabililty. That may help get things jump-started.

I agree. Sounds like you have enough filtration already, you're probably having a bacterial bloom from having the new media.

 

[redbellyPirahna4]

i got a water polishing filter for the magnum and now the water is crystal clear and it only took overnight to clear it up heres a pic.

 

[brianjh]

clean your glass!!!!!!!!

 

[ar0wan]

now a little windex and you'll be golden!

*tip: spray the windex on the towel first IN ANOTHER ROOM. Do not spray glass cleaner directly on your glass.

 

[haynchinook334]

yep....windex....glass....clean.