The Puffer Forum

So I just bought a 55g for my GSP. He's currently housed in a 20g and I'm moving my residence. I'm trying to set everything up for him as comfortably as I can so I don't have to change much in the future. What filters has everyone had success with for a 55g? I've heard cascade, H.O.T. Magnum, and AquaClear as some suggestions.

What are the pros and cons?

How often do the filters need replaced in each one(i.e., monthly, bi-monthly, etc)?

Are you planning on staying brackish or going marine?

AC110, and you rarely change the filter. just clean it in tank water during a change

I don't know why but I would run two AC70s. I just feel it gives you more options like maybe polishing or running carbon in only one filter need be. Also if one craps out you still have some backup. And if you run AC70s on everything from smaller to large tanks then you always have uniform media for starting new setups and such.

Thanks for the reply guys. I'm planning on staying brackish. I think....lol. I'm not quite sure yet. But my budget does limit me to brackish until he grows much larger. He's a moderate grower, so hopefully I'll have some time to save up.

So now it boils down to 2 ACs or one? lol. I do like the idea of having a back up or using one on another tank to stay uniform like JRC said.

Thanks guys!

My 55s (either FW or BW) generally have one Eheim 2213 or 2215 Classic bio-only (w/Dupla minikaskade balls) external canister (back-flushed monthly) prefiltered by a fine Filter-max prefilter (rinsed weekly). Mechanical filtration is by two internal Eheim canisters, rinsed weekly.

SW 55s have entirely different filtration techniques.

HTH