Best Filter ?

[bsmith]

Which is the best filter for my 40 gallon freshwater tank? thanks !
PetCo Filters

[blakeoe]

I have the Marineland Penguin BIO-Wheel 350 Power Filter on my 55 gallon and am very pleased with it. I would sugest something with bio wheels. I used to run a Whisper and it was crap! Also tried the tetra tec It seemed like a very complicated way to do a simple task and i had to push my tank ALLOT further from the wall b/c it was so deep so i returned it. Also check Petsmart too and compare prices b/c at the time i bought mine they were the cheapest and the stored will price match on line prices and maybe even competitor prices.

[bsmith]

yea i heard about the bio-wheel, what makes it so much better, i just need something that is powerful, quiet and sufficient for a 40gallon. at petsco.com they are having $50 min. purchase and free shipping, so i need a new filter and some things so im taking advantage over it.

[bsmith]

which is better, the bio-wheel 200gph or the 350? is the 350 too much power for a 40gallon or what?

[bsmith]

which is better, the bio-wheel 200gph or the 350? is the 350 too much power for a 40gallon or better than a 200 which might not be enough ? its for a cichlid tank too, if that helps any ?

[blakeoe]

the bio wheel is supposed to create a good environment for the good bacteria that your tank needs to cycle. Most filters like my old whisper only have bio bags which are cloth bags with carbon in them and this is the only thing that holds the bacteria so when you have to change them which is sugested once a month you loose allot of bacteria. With the bio wheels you never have to change them so you keep allot more. Also the penguin has an extra slot so you can add other things to your filter. I personally have the two Bio Bag type things that came with it and some pete moss in a bag and a carbon infused pad plus the two bio wheels.

[blakeoe]

I would thing bigger is better but im no expert. And i know very little about chilids But i think they like a higher current which would be provided by the bigger one.

[euRasian32]

Is your tank a regular 40gal or a 40 Breeder? Not that it matters, just curious.

The above mentioned bio-wheel above is a good filter, from experience. It's a good three stage filter - mechanical, chemical, and biological.

The H.O.T. Magnum 250 w/ bio-wheel 30 is a good canister filer, also has optional 3 stage filtration.

These 2 filters mentioned are great suggestions, you'll sometimes get biased opinions on what brand is better... As long as you provide enough filtration for the tank and the number of habitants, you'll do just fine with whatever brand you choose.
I use HOB's/Power Filters on tanks from 10-40 gallons, Canister Filters on tanks from 40-75, and Wet Dry's on tanks from 75-125 - or 2 Canisters.

Once you choose your filter, monitor the tank during feedings to make sure there aren't any dead spots in your tank, where there isn't any movement - food and debris shouldn't settle anywhere, although sometimes inevitable. Small powerheads can help eliminate these dead spots.

[blakeoe]

Also the 200 only has one bio wheel and one bio bag plus the extra slot. The 350 has two bio wheels 2 bio bags and 2 extra slots. I think you'd be fine with either. The 200 is rated for 50 gallon tanks. I guess it just depends on preference.

[euRasian32]

The 350 would be better for a tank you're describing, with cichlids. A 200 would be better for smaller community fish.

[bsmith]

alright, well i am going with the 350 bio-wheel, thanks a lot, made my day a little easier

[blakeoe]

No prob. glad to help! i think youll be happy.

[bsmith]

im not sure what a breeder tank is rather than a regular tank, it is 36long x 20deep x 16tall

[Damon]

A standard 40 gallon tank is 36x20x16.
A breeder tank is 36x18x17
A 40 gallon long tank is 48x13x17
(Numbers rounded to nearest inch)