Adequate filtration? And new heater is THE BOMB!!

In some of the reading that I have done, I have gotten the impression that maybe my filter is not sufficient for the size tank that I have. I am running a 55 gallon tank with a few plants, and the filter is a Penguin 350 (bio-wheel filter with 350 gph filtering capacity. I have a spare filter that I am using in fishless cycling a 10 gallon tank because it uses the same cartridges as my Penguin 350 - so I can use them in cycling the 55 gallon when that it done. If my filtering capacity is not enough then I could add that filter to the 55 after the smaller tank cycles. At the moment, there are 4 tiger barbs, 4 black tetras, 2 pl*co in the 55.

Also, the Penguin filter has a mid-level intake on the inflow pipe. Should I have this open at all? Most of the information that I have gathered suggests that your intake should be as far from the outflow as possible to maximize the circulation of the water.

Also as a side note, I got a new heater for the 55 gallon tank since I was running two smallish over the back heaters. This new heater is a 350 watt titanium heater with the external digital controller from Won Brothers. I have the sensor from the heater near the filter, and the heater on the other side of the tank. Since putting that heater in the tank, the temperature has remained ROCK solid with only a degree of fluctuation. It was quite expensive (around $50 usd), but well worth it IMHO.

TIA for any info

The Penguin 350 is rate for up to 75 gallons. Most people here would suggest that a filter like that is barely enough for a 55 gallon tank. I've been playing with filters on a few of my tanks this last month. I have a 50 gallon tank with about 60+ fish. I went from two Penguin 200Bs to a Top Fin 20 and a Top Fin 30, and the water quality did not change. The Penguins circulated about 3, maybe 4 times the water that the TopFins do. I'm watching to see what the long range effects will be, but so far nothing has changed except the water is a bit clearer because the TopFin filters filter slightly smaller particles then the Penguin filters do.

But, dude, where did you get that heater from? Most fish tank heaters are crap. They give you a glass tube and they put the heat sensor inches away from the heating element. They can't regulate water temperature worth diddly. I've been looking for a long time for what you are describing. The ONLY way to effectively regulate water temperature is to move the temperature sensor far away from the heating element (doh!!). I get so sick and tired of my tanks heating up when the ambient temp increases, and cooling off when the room cools off.

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I seem to have found it by googling Won Brothers. The 350 watt heater is 25.99 and there is a 500 watt heater for 49.99.

that a filter like that is barely enough for a 55 gallon tank

So for a 55 gallon tank, starting from scratch, what size/type filter would you recommend for heavily planted community tank?

I have them in all my tanks... I love 'em. Got two at PetCo, two at the LFS..... well worth it....

That filter is rated for a 75 gallon tank. Who here would suggest it's not enough for a 55? Perhaps it's not enough filtration if you have messy fish like oscars or goldfish.

If the tank has plants covering over 75% of the substrate and rapid plant growth from high lighting and CO2 or Excel, IMO that's more than enough filter. A great big filter blasting out water will blow all of your stem plants over, knock the leaves off of your delicate plants, aerate away all your precious CO2, and you will never be able to aquascape to hide the filter intake. I've never been fond of excessive water movement in planted tanks if you can't tell.

Biowheels and trickle filters on planted tanks are a mixed lot. The oxygenation drives off your CO2 if you're CO2 injecting, but keeps it steady if you're only using atmospheric CO2.

I used a Fluval 303 on my last C02 injected 55 gal jungle and it gave excellent filtration, but I hated cleaning it. Maybe the new design is better. The ceramic prefilter was very good for catching bits of leaves and not clogging and kept the sponge cleaner so I could easily go a couple of months between cleanings. The hose return was great because I could hook it up to a spray bar along the side of the tank. That way, the CO2 stays in, and the current isn't too strong in any one place.

I use hydor external inline heaters on all my tanks....absolutely fantastic and there is no problems disguising the heater also

I also agree here.

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Won Brothers Pro heat II: http://www.aquariumsupplystore.com/Productspages/ won_brothers_heaters... They have a digital and analog model (which is cheaper) - I opted for the

Elaine, Ozdude, and all,

Thanks so much. I've printed out all replies and added to ever increasing notebook.

Looks like I may have filters for sale > My favorite lfs highly recommends Eheim, but I have no experience with canisters and I'm a bit intimidated, also open to suggestions from consumers as opposed to sellers.

I plan to add CO2 to tank, once it gets going. This is down the line, as it also needs the inadequate lights replaced.

You guys are a great resource for practical information. Thanks.

srb

I'm looking at it and I see the separate control - but where is the temperature sensor? Is it in the same glass tube that contains the heater