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i just found an aquarium setup on craigslist, 55 gallons + stand/filter/lighting. the filter it comes with is the 330 Penguin Bio-Wheel. is this a good filter (never heard of it) or should i look to purchase another one. the setup is $75 which is $100 less than the last setup i was looking at (which was unfortunately sold) so i can afford it now, if i do need a filter.

i'll also be buying new clamp lamp and a couple of live plants (to help with that algae problem). what type of plants would you recommend? don't want to poison them. i'll be giving my old setup to a friend, whose mom just bought her two red ear sliders (about the size of a silver dollar).

thanx!

I don't know about the plants, but the filter is a good one. Parts(filter pads etc. etc.) are easy to find, it has a nice simple design, it is rated for a 70 gallon tank, the only problem is that the tank has to be near full, for it to function properly, it doesn't have the power to suck the water up to far. So unless your are building an above tank basking spot, you may want to consider a canister, or internal filter.

P.S. Here is the link(it's the one on the bottom)...
http://www.marineland.com/products/cons ... ilters.asp

I have never heard of the 330 Penguin Bio-Wheel either.

You may want to invest in a canister filter -they can be expensive, but they are totally worth it! The tank stays *so much* cleaner & you won't have to do complete changes very often. It is worth the extra money for the amount of time it saves. I went through a lot of trial & error w/ineffective filters until I bought the Aquarium Pharmaceuticals RENA Filstar XP 3. A lot of people here have recommended that filter as well.

You may want to look online -I find that even w/shipping included, it is much cheaper -the local PetSmart sells it for something like $180.00 but I got mine at www.bigalsonline.com for about $100.

If you shop around you can often find an XP3 for under $100. By all means shop on-line. I agree with Taylormaid - the XP3 is wonderful. It keeps the water cleaner and cuts down on maintenance time significantly.

hmm, do you think it would be able to handle just 50 gallons for about two days? i have been planning on an above-tank basking spot that was going to be made of plywood, turf and have a nice landscape on it. i was even going to make a bigger hiding cave. all i need is the dimensions and something to waterproof the plywood. sorry to veer off subject, but could you recommend better materials for that?

i'll check around for canister filters, though. esp. if they'll help keep my tank clean. do you know if that has bio media too? i'm so looking to build a paradise

You have to check---sometimes filters come with biomedia, sometimes they don't, in which case you'll have to buy it separately.

Is that filter used? And for what kind of inhabitants? I would personally get a new filter if it was used... an Aquaclear 110 or an XP3 will serve that 55 gallon well. If the filter were to run a couple of days before you replace it, then I wouldn't bother with it.

pumpkinsherbet wrote:hmm, do you think it would be able to handle just 50 gallons for about two days? i was even going to make a bigger hiding cave. all i need is the dimensions and something to waterproof the plywood. sorry to veer off subject, but could you recommend better materials for that?

As stated above, if it is only going to be a couple of days, then don't even bother with it, the water will be fine for that amount of time.

As for cave, wood is generally a "no-no" IN THE WATER. In other words, no wood should be touching(,or be in) the water.

Here is what grey goose says about it...

grey goose wrote:Wood is not a very good material to use in water, treated or not. Unless you plan on putting several coats of marine epoxy on it (like how they make boat hulls) but it's a lot of work with some pretty nasty chemicals....
I actually tried making a basking ramp from plywood by forming a bend, then sanding and sealing, but it started flaking on me while curing, so I gave up.

well it turns out that one was sold =Þ but i did find a really good deal at petco that i'll be taking full advantage of tomorrow morning.

re: the basking spot. the electrician came to our store yesterday to check our lights, change our filter, etc. and i asked him about the sheet plastic that cover the fluorescent lights. you will have to forgive me, i don't typically test the heat of those bulbs! i asked if it could withstand at least 100 degrees (i try to keep basking area to 96 max, so i left leeway) and he said ''oh yeah, easy" so i was thinking lay that on the tank, then the plywood, then the turf. so the plywood would just be for support, but wouldn't really get wet. maybe i should post this somewhere else? or just ask grey goose?

thanx for your help, though