While I have been a fish keeper on and off for yrs and just recently (about 9 months ago ) got back into the hobby, I really dont know about newer equipment and stuff. I plan on getting an o for 55 ( for now til I upgrade to larger tank ) so I need to know what is a good filter/pump set up that wont cost me too much but will do the job right. I bought the tank used and it didnt come with any equipment.

i enjoy the hang on back filters aka hob but i preferr the marienland cannister filters by far for the money well worth it, but even the marienland hob filters i like and have great success with but i do suggest the penguin with the bio wheel works great and easy maintence on it too.

since its a 55, you could pick up a pair of aqua-tech 30-60 gallon hob's and that would be fine for that tank.

imho.... the best bang for your buck on a 55 would be an aquaclear 110 by hagen. they have a gph rating of 500 and for your tank that be almost a 10x turnover rate and that is what you should be looking for. it also has the ability to be fully customizable to your specific needs(i.e. more bio capacity) and is easy to get parts for.

just my two cents

i like the 30-60 aquatechs, they flow 330gph, and the filters are really inexpensive, a pair would do 660gph out of the box and thats quite nice for a 55.

the main problems with the aquatechs are having to buy the replacement cartriges for them. with the ac's everything is washable so the only purchase is for the original filter then no more expenses. also later on if a canister is added you can fill the ac with sponge to work as solely mechanical fitration which is an added bonus.

cartridges are cheap tho. i spend 12 bucks for filters for 3 months.

and when you change the cartriges you lose a substancial amount of bio media. with the aquaclear filter you never lose any of the beneficial bacteria.

I like fluvals, and 405 or maybe 2 305's

"and when you change the cartriges you lose a substancial amount of bio media. with the aquaclear filter you never lose any of the beneficial bacteria."


not entirely true, you dont lose much as its its a 3 stage filter using 2 cartridges,

the blue carbon filter is both mechanical and carbon filtration.

the second cartridge is a bio filer you never replace or clean. this is where your bacteria live.


it works great for me,i use this filter on 3 aquariums. not sayin its the best but it does work very well and for a 55 gallon tank that cost 50 bucks i cant justify a 300 dollar canister filter.

the aquaclear 110 is a hob filter and not a canister and it cost about $15 than the aquatech. it has a higher flow rate and is by far a superior filter. one ac 110 is sufficient for a 55 gallon oscar tank. i have used both of these filter and i know from experience that the ac 110 is better built. it is also the recommended filter by most cichlid keepers for an hob style filter.

to each their own pal!