AC 20 or AC 30?

[lhforbes12]

I have a bunch of rams in a 55 gallon that I am trying to breed. They have been building nests but so far I haven't noticed any eggs. There are currently 4 females and 1 male in this tank.

The females all seem too busy chasing each other from their territory to actually breed. I have decided to place a male and a gravid female (they are all gravid btw) into a 10 gallon tank.

My problem is I have no filters for my 10 gallon tanks. I have decided on an AC 20 or AC 30 for the filter (I dislike sponge filters). I know the AC 20 is plenty powerful enough for a 10 gallon tank. But in looking at pictures an AC 20 appears to have a very small media compartment. I would like to add peat to the other media and it looks too small for this. Would an AC 30 be a better choice for me or is the AC 20 big enough?

[pcsb23]

Larry, I am not directly familiar with the AC range of filters, but I understand that the output can be throttled, given that is the case I would always go for the bigger filter, gives greater flexinbility, stability and you can't over filter imo. Just my tuppence worth.

[AmberC]

I would definitely get the 30. The compartment in the 20 IS really small. I have a heck of a time getting my hand in to clean the inside.. I have a 30 on my 20 and a 30 on my 10.

[tony1313]

I would go with the 30. If I remember correctly there is a sleeve that you can put carbon in and they sell a sponge that goes behind that. I would use the sleeve (witout the carbon), this will act as a pre-filter for the sponge insert.

hth,
Tony

[lhforbes12]

Thanks everyone! You confirmed what I suspected.

Paul,
Yes they can be throttled down to 30% of maximum output, so I think an AC 30 will be OK too.

Tony and Amber,
Thanks for your input. You both gave me valuable information.

btw I am going with the AC 30

[wolfbane]

I would use the 30 with the foam insert and the Biomax.

[lhforbes12]

I would use the 30 with the foam insert and the Biomax.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Debbie now I have to look up what the heck "biomax" is... <grin>

[lhforbes12]

I would use the 30 with the foam insert and the Biomax.

Well that was cetainly easy, Big Al's has the biomax thingies. I already have some things called "mini bio-balls" that I think will work even better (they come pre-impregnated with nitrifying bacteria). But thank you Debbie! Hmmmm, should I order extra sponges though?

[poconogal]

Larry, I do have a 20 on a 10 gal. tank with the sponge, peat and Purigen and it works okay, but I actually would like a bigger box to put the stuff in, so I'd use the 30 for the larger compartment and slow the flow. I have a 50 on my 20 gal., no problem.