Big Als vs. That Fish Place

[TKC747]

Hi everyone,

I have a very "off" filter, that is a filter which is very hard to find a cartridge for: The Aqueon 55, which came along with an Aqueon 55 gallon deluxe Aquarium kit.

Since, I can't find the cartridge at yourfishstuff.com who is better overall in terms of service, Big Als online, or That Fish Place? Who would you say has a bigger selection. I like to save on shipping by buying stuff from the same vendor.

Also, does anyone know if the Aqueon 55 filter can take any other brand of filter cartridge?

Thanks

Tom C.

[Haplee]

I order from both Big Al's and That Fish Place and they are both very good. Big Al's probably has the best prices but That Fish Place will usually price match on most items. As for the Aqueon 55 filter, it looks to me that you could cut the existing pad off of the frame with a razor blade and then attach a filter pad of your choice to the frame. This will give you a better pad that will last longer and you will not have to replace them as often. You can rinse them out and reuse them. Just a thought. I don't own an Aqueon but I and a lot of others do this with Emperors.

[TKC747]

Haplee, what do you use to replace the cartridge innards, I can do this with my emperor as well. thanks for the great idea!

Tom C.

[Cartel]

I use Big Al's, TFP, and Foster and Smith I make a cart with the stuff I need and which ever comes out cheaper with shipping I go with. For instance right now TFP shipping is 6.99 while F&S is 8.99 yet F&S comes out cheaper right now for the things I'm looking for. They are all just fine so I wouldn't worry about service.

[DJRansome]

I use Big Al's, TFP, and Foster and Smith I make a cart with the stuff I need and which ever comes out cheaper with shipping I go with. For instance right now TFP shipping is 6.99 while F&S is 8.99 yet F&S comes out cheaper right now for the things I'm looking for. They are all just fine so I wouldn't worry about service.I do the same. F&S has nice sales on major items (like filters and light fixtures) so sometimes they win when I am buying.

[TKC747]

Very good idea when buying. Thanks!

Tom C.

[Haplee]

The cartridge innards that you speak of is charcoal and you don't need it. Just use the filter pad and you will be fine.

[BlondeFishGal]

I tend to use TFP alot b/c with me being in NJ, I get their stuff in 2-3 days. But like most folks, over the years I've ordered from each of the places.

[TOMMYN3D]

You could also invest in a Aqua Clear 70 and never have to buy cartridges again. I dont know if that is not a option right now as far as spending the money for a new filter but it is a investment that will pay for it self in the long run.
I just did my monthly filter cleaning on a few of mine and i just squeeze the sponge in a bucket of tank water a couple of times and put the sponge back in.
and yes i am one of them that dont use tap water out the faucet:neener:
only tank water:neener:

[Heyguy74]

I would go with Haplees advice. Cut away the old pad and throw away the carbon. I use the blue and white filter pads . I was a kid the last time I bought a cartridge. You'll save yourself a ton of money. I'm pretty sure there was a thread on this site talking about buying the filter pads by the 100 ft roll. I'll have to look. You can wash them plenty of times before they eventually fall apart.

[nick a]

Making your own means they're so cheap that i don't even bother with washing them. Costs me about a quarter to change out the pads in an Emp400......

[nick a]

Check out Ed's post on cheap alternatives: http://forums.eastcoastcichlids.org/showthread.php?t=1625&page=3

There is no such thing as a filter you can't customize media for.
Ehiem 2250 cans...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v250/tnzka/DSC_12431260.jpg
Emps...I use a plastic piece in front & back instead of rubber bands etc... and I like to have coarse foam->fine foam->blue poly fine pads
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v250/tnzka/DSC_1608.jpg

The blue poly comes in handy for all kinds off applications like these little air driven HOBs
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v250/tnzka/ontank.jpg

[exasperatus2002]

I have no experience with big al's but I have ordered from & gone to that fish place and never had a bad experience. Though the fish prices can be a little cheaper.

[triscuit]

I have ordered from all the places listed above, and I never buy premade filter cartridges. I stuff my HOBs with ceramic biomedia, a filter pad, and then top it off with filter floss. Since I grab equipment from garage sales, I'd go nuts if I tried to find the specific innards for each filter.

For customer service- DrsF&S is awesome, but they tend to be more expensive. Big Als is often cheapest but can take a long time to ship. If you are so inclined, you could look at these reviews (http://www.cichlid-forum.com/reviews/retailer_display.php?CatID=003).

My decision on who to use is to figure out who has everything I want to order. Don't forget to look at our site sponsors (http://www.yourfishstuff.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1) too!

[TKC747]

Thanks everyone

nick_a: thanks for the link and the pictures :)


Tommy: that's a good idea, the filter cartridges ad up through time :)


Tom C.