Need Canister Filter Advice

[Kristen G]

Hi everyone! I'm new to this site and would like some suggestions on the best cost- effective canister filters for a 60 gallon goldfish tank.

I currently have 3 common goldfish in a 29 gallon and I'm running an aquaclear 50 on it. The fish have become massive in the one year that I've had them so now it's time for an upgrade. Initially I was planning to go with an AC 110 for the new 60 gallon tank in addition to the AC 50, but I've recently starting leaning more towards getting a canister filter instead of another HOB.

Apparently I should be aiming for the filtration to turn 600 GPH (60 gallon tank x 10 because they're goldfish?) but I haven't found any canister filters which can do that. I need help finding options because I'm completely inexperienced with canisters, & I'm hoping to find a solution that will keep the water (as well as my bank account) in optimal condition

Thank you in advance!!

 

[JK47]

FX5/FX6 is a great choice. You will be right in there regarding GPH. Secondly they are common and relatively inexpensive. They can also be valued back if you prefer and have excellent media capacity.

 

[Fish Tank Travis]

For a cheaper option, the SunSun 304B is a great filter. I wouldn't worry much about the flow rate. The SunSun 304B will be plenty for the 60 gallon tank. For tanks though, have you considered stepping up to a 75 gallon tank instead? You could use the same 304B filter for it. You could add a second one if you really want to.

 

[Kristen G]

FX5/FX6 is a great choice. You will be right in there regarding GPH. Secondly they are common and relatively inexpensive. They can also be valued back if you prefer and have excellent media capacity.

I've looked at the FX6 but unfortunately it's way too expensive for me right now :/

 

[Kristen G]

For a cheaper option, the SunSun 304B is a great filter. I wouldn't worry much about the flow rate. The SunSun 304B will be plenty for the 60 gallon tank. For tanks though, have you considered stepping up to a 75 gallon tank instead? You could use the same 304B filter for it. You could add a second one if you really want to.

Do the Sunsun filters come with any media or do you have to buy all of it separately? If it comes separate, what media works best with them?

Also, I would prefer a 75 over a 60 gallon but I don't have the space for one. Im hoping the 60 will be enough for them lol

 

[Fish Tank Travis]

Do the Sunsun filters come with any media or do you have to buy all of it separately? If it comes separate, what media works best with them?

Also, I would prefer a 75 over a 60 gallon but I don't have the space for one. Im hoping the 60 will be enough for them lol

You can buy the SunSun filters in a "package" with media, but I don't think it's enough. I prefer to use ceramic rings. You can buy some cheap ones on Amazon. A lot of people just use lava rock from the hardware store though. You would have to break it up into smaller pieces but I don't think that should be a problem. I do think you want to make sure that you at least get the stock sponge and filter floss pads that come with it. You can usually find the sponge replacements easy enough, but the sponge pad seems to be hard to come by.

I'm pretty sure that those goldfish will end up needing much more than a 60 gallon tank in the long run. They can get pretty massive.

 

[importracer]

Two AC101's and a Filstar xp3