best filter for a goldfish aquarium?

Question

I am thinking of buying an aquarium (probably around 20 gallons) and getting some goldfish. I am trying to make an informed decision about the products out there. I'm looking for a reasonably priced filter (the petstore suggested Whisper) and, I'm also trying to decide if I need an air pump or not. Any help would be apreciated! Thanks!

Answer 1

I have Whispers, Penguins and Aquaclears and out of them the Aquaclears are definitely my favorite. Whispers, no mater how often you clean them out they lose their suction and will never be like the first day you use them. Penguins are good, the bio wheel is good for bacteria growth but they also are the noisiest filter I have because the water flowing over those wheels. The foam the Aquaclears use last a lot longer then the cartridges that both the other filters use, so you don't have to buy replacements as often, I have had mine for around a year and never replaced anything yet.

I have three 20 longs, two have goldfish in them. On the one I use a Penguin 350b (350 gph) and the other I use an Aquaclear 70 (300 gph). What ever filter you do buy just make sure it pumps the water at least 10x an hour, so the minimum on a 20 gallon would be 200 gph, as you can see I like to go over that since goldies are so messy. Buying filters online are usually the cheapest but Petsmart will honor their online prices, so just print out the price and bring it to the store. I heard of Petco doing the same thing but that varies by store.

As long as whatever filter you buy disrupts the surface to allow the gas exchange then you do not need an air pump but fish do like to play in the bubbles and it can make the tank look nicer.

Answer 2

Please, I repeat PLEASE do not use and undergravel filter no matter what anyone tells you. Undergravel filtration does draw the water through the gravel to allow the bacteria to do it's job, but the modern "over the back" style filters do come with a "biological wheel" that does a better job.

The main issue with Undergravel filters is that it traps too much waste in an area that cannot be cleaned with a traditional gravel vacuum. As well, if you get some kind of parasite or other disease in the tank it will stay resident under the Undergravel and make for a real nightmare when trying to cure the tank.

Don't always trust what a pet store says. A place that only sells fish will have a much better understanding than a teenager making minimum wage at the mall pet store. Pet store employees usually only regurgitate the same old useless knowledge from 10 years ago.

Remember google is your friend.

Answer 3

Look for a filter that has a cleanable insert so you don't have to constantly buy refills. Whispers are not that economical,but the pet stores love them because they keep the customers spending money.Penguin Bio-wheel come with made up inserts,but if you look you can find a refillable insert that doesn't cost so much,and set up this way they are a good filter. In my aquaria I use Aqua-clear filters.The primary filter is a sponge,and you can purchase mesh bags for charcoal so you don't have to buy the expensive refills. ------- Another thing to consider would be a plain sponge filter powered by "power-head" type pump. This would provide aeration and filtration,not the most attractive set up,but efficient.A sponge filter needs to be cycled to cultivate a colony of beneficial bacteria,then when doing water changes drain some aquarium water into a container and use this to rinse the sponge so as to keep the bacteria happy. Canister filters work pretty well but they can take a lot of maintenance. In my tanks I like to have two or more types of filter just in case one fails. Hope this is helpful.------PeeTee

Answer 4

I personally prefer the Penguin Bio Wheel filters. Ive used the Whispers, but wasnt thrilled. They both do the same job, but the bio wheel filter didnt make as much noise-the water falling back into the tank was quieter with the biowheel.

Answer 5

First off goldfish are very hardy fish and also very dirty. Any canister filter will work well. Ehiems are excellent. For ease of filter media changing Penguin filters work very well. Use can also rinse them a couple times before replacing them. I currently employ the use of both types on my own tanks.

Answer 6

It depends on how many fish you put in the tank. For a large tank i suggest getting a large filter that you don't have to change too often. It gets really annoying when you have to change it every week.

Answer 7

well for my self i have used that filter and it not to bad but gold fish are very dirty fish i find i have a 55 gal tank my self and i have 8 gold fish in mine and i have to change the filter every 2 weeks my self i guess it depends how many you get to what type of filter to get but if your going to get fish get the best filter you can afford

Answer 8

no there is nothing more to my knowledge. and that is more filtering than you need but it is always good to have more filtetration

Answer 9

i suggest the filters with bio wheels. they work great for me. they cost a little more but i think they are worth it. they help regulate your ammonia and nitrates.