Any Equipment you would suggest getting or avoid?

[Weaver]

Thats funny because I replaced my Aquaclear with the tetra because I found it hard to find filter media for at my LFS. I had my Aquaclear and tetra running at the same time once and I think it almost blew my puffer against the glass because of the current it made... ahhh... I'm such a noob.

[Pufferpunk]

You never need to replace filter media for an AC. I have the same sponge for 20 years.

[Weaver]

I bought it used and my girlfriend through it out because she thought it looked ichy when I was at work... I wasn't very happy but I also couldn't point any fingers because it took me 3 months to get the time to set it up.

[Pufferpunk]

So I don't understand why you bought a different brand?

[Weaver]

I pleed being young and stupid and not doing my research and trusting the sales people to tell me the truth. I'm weak willed and they had collared shirts... I never stood a chance.

[greenspottedlover]

I've used a tetra filter. THAT was a waste of money, plus my fish all died. On the other hand I've seen great success while using a AquaClear. note that it was the same tank with both filters, but I got mine in the reverse order. Literally chucked my tetra filter out the door .

[sevenyearnight]

I pleed being young and stupid and not doing my research and trusting the sales people to tell me the truth. I'm weak willed and they had collared shirts... I never stood a chance.

Lmao!

[RTR]

Personal opinions:

I value my three diatom filters very highly, and frankly would never be without at least one. But I confess that it can be a love-hate relationship. They can be very frustrating, especially the Vortex diatom, which is of course the best brand. I never do serious replanting work without a diatom in operation on the tank.

I hate HOBs - they are noisy, inefficient, eyesores IMHO & IME. I do not deny that they are relatively inexpensive and can run for years are are very easy to maintain, but they are not for me.

I despise airstones, They are noisy and messy.

Aquariums should be seen and not heard.

Absolute negatives:

Any product which claims to reduce or eliminate the need for water changes is a rip-off and a waste of your money.

Any product which claims to instantly cycle your tank is also garbage.

Phosphate-based "buffers" for tanks are also in that category. Actually, any product labeled "Buffer" is highly suspect.

Any product claiming to reduce the nitrate levels of tank is the same category.

Aquarium salt, unless it includes a certified analysis on the package, and it is still suspect.

The majority of the claims of "conditioners" are highly suspect.

"Moving up in tank size as the fish need it" is perhaps the surest way of stunting fish.

The concept of a "community" tank is one of the best means of shortening the life of fish in captivity.

Positives:

A skeptical aquarist is a wise one, on one on way to wisdom.

Don' think or ask, test. If you do not understand what the test results mean, ask about that.

Do not believe anything a LFS or chain store employee says without external verification.

Threads such as this which allow old fogies to vent are valuable - at least to old fogies..

[FADE2BLACK_1973]

Got to admit, RTR got that down pat..lol. But very good points though.

Now for me, I love AC HOB filters because they never ever failed me yet after using them over 20 yrs. I still have one up and running again that is about 21 years old. Now for Marineland products. I dont know whats been going on with this company lately. I mean they were one of my top favs but with all the recalls going on. But at least they are trying to correct the problems, I will give them that.

Seachem, Kent, Jungle, and API are also great products but they do have afew flaws in their line of products. IMO, theres no 100% perfect company out there.

[jus85411]

my HOB's were quiet, but i agree on the eye sore

[pirasha]

I agree with the eye-sore..but I actually like the sound of them. It's really soothing to me and helps me relax.

[jus85411]

yeah i like when the water got a little low from evaporation and you get the waterfall sound. helped me sleep when i had a tank in my bedroom

[RTR]

LOL! That is why I listed my prejudice against HOBs as "personal opinion" . I do know that they are the most widely used filter format, and pretty much the "standard" hobby filter.

Many to most hobbies have their issues and their "Me, too!" products which are basically worthless, or quite a few good products with additives which are present purely for branding purposes. But that is the nature of competition and branding.

Aquarium salt, I admit, drives me up the wall. Aquarium buffers are the next worst IMNSHO.

[Troender]

There's been a lot of Jebo tanks breaking without a cause around here. I would stay away from that brand, at least when buying tanks.

[Jacks974]

I bought a new fluval heater with the led temp thing. It has been working great! Better than last brand which the temp varied from 74-82 all the time.
I got the marineland double bright led for my new fw aquarium and wasn't overly happy. Not that bright and the water had beams going down like headlights. I bought 2 ecoxotic stunners and really like them. Give a nice shimmer per say but not that noticeable once I replace the MarineLand double bright with a dual T5 fixture. That is much better for me because I wanted to have warmer colors to come out such as the reds on my columbian tetras and the green and yellow on my South American Puffers. The led wasn't that strong at the red side of the spectrum and focused on blue which I like too. I just want it all. Haha