Need Filter Advice on My 55 gal tank

[Andrej]

Good Day

I need advice here is my situation:
55 gal tank, mildly planted (planning for more plants), approx. 10 shrimp, few snails, 3 mollies, 4 platies, 8 neon tetras and 4 black tetras.
My filter - 55 gal Aqueon.

I known and understand that I need better filtration set up to keep my fishies happy.

My budget is 200$ max. Should I keep my filter and add another 55 gal +- filter like Eheim Canister 2213, or just have one bigger new filter like Eheim Canister 2215 which is up to 95 gal?

Thank You

[robt18]

I've always been a fan of "bigger is better" for filters. Since you're already using the aqueon, I'd get something like en eheim 2215 and use it for bio filtration only and leave the aqueon on as your mechanical filter. If the day ever comes that you don't want to run the aqueon, throw come filter pads into the 2215 and you're set.

That being said, I'd leave the coarse sponge pad in the bottom of the 2215 so the bio media doesn't get all clogged up.

[bitterman]

More filtration capacity is always a good thing as said above.

You might want to look at the Haberg matt filter. Its a reasonably inexpensive filter and very maintenance free also. Could be done in the corners of the tank back or tank end(s) depending on your setup. One nice thing about the HMF is it often ran on air. So you can still have filtration in your tank during power outages with a batter backup type air pump (so long as it has enough volume of air to drive your lift tubes.)

Bruce

[Andrej]

MM interesting I never heard about HMF, researching it right now, if you have good resources about HMF send them my way please.

Just before that was debating betweeen either adding Eheim Eco Comfot 2236 up to 90 US gal or Hydor Professional Ext. F. 250 up to 75 gal.

[bitterman]

There was a talk and this is a post from that time with a .doc attached

http://ovas.ca/forum/index.php?topic=45037.0

There is a lot of information on this type of filter.  check youtube. This is a good video on making a lift tube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ll7FHseqdFQ

Bruce

[Andrej]

Was digging in my basement and I found second Aqueon 55 gal filter in working condition , so problem solved two same filter on each side for now.

[bitterman]

There you go that was easy

Bruce