I'm thinking about changing the filtration...

[Helloitsme]

I'm thinking about changing the filtration on my 60 gallon acrylic "show tank". It currently has 2 AC 70's. It's a bit overstocked at the moment. I need something that's easy to maintain, quiet and moves a lot of water. Any ideas? Thanks!

[Regalblue]

Step it up to some 110s

[danielratti]

Wetdry

[Ron]

For HOB filters, IMO either AC110 or Emp400 - there's no reason to ever get smaller ones.

[I'm not a fan of canister filters, so I've omitted them, but they'd fit in here.]

The next step beyond a HOB army would be a sump and you could incorporate a wet/dry.

[Helloitsme]

Thanks for your responses thus far. I am not familiar with sumps and wet drys, I am going nto need to do a little research.

[RichE]

another option and wont break the bank is using 2 hot magnums, they are like canister filters but hang on the back of the tank.

I have a few that I use use and they keep the water crystal clear and make the water move so there there is not a issue of not enough water movement or I agree with Blair aqua clear 110's. That is what I also use

http://www.petco.com/product/2399/Marineland-HOT-Magnum-Hang-On-Tank-Convertible-Canister-Filter.aspx?cm_mmc=CSEMGoogleAdExtProd-_-Fish-_-Marineland-_-590258&mr:trackingCode=0403EC15-8381-DE11-B7F3-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA&mr:adType=pla&mr:ad=26560826275&mr:keyword=&mr:match=&mr:filter=51515432155

[Steve]

Canister filter all the way. IMO they are much better than HOB's yet much easier than having to drill the tank for a sump. I have three canister filters between my two 55g tanks. The all male peacock tank I run an XP4 and a XP3, and the Mbuna tank I run an XP3. They are very easy to set up, don't cost an arm & leg, quiet, move a good deal of water, and you have a huge variety of choices on how to set them up with media.

[Regalblue]

Poo on the canisters....  I don't like them & don't like cleaning them even more.

[Steve]

What is not to like about a canister?

[Ron]

What is not to like about a canister?

IME, a PITA to clean and prime.

The HOT doesn't count as a cannister. I have one and like it, though I just use it for spot cleaning. It's great for mechanical filtration, but for an overstocked tank like the OP has, there's just no room for biomedia. Yes, there's an add-on bio-wheel bit, but IMO an Emp400 > HOT when serving for both mechanical and biological filtration.

[jcunningham0295]

I would use Emperor 400's.  I use these on all my big tanks 75 gallons or larger.  Very easy to maintin and create great turnover.  You can get them online from Pet Solutions or Ken's Fish pretty reasonable.

[Steve]

IME, a PITA to clean and prime.

I know everyone likes different things and I'm fine with that, but I just can't see how cleaning or priming could ever be considered a pain unless there on canisters out there than are different than my XP3 and XP4 when it comes to cleaning & priming. On my Rena's to clean all you do is unlatch four clips, pull the basket out and rinse with tank water. Don't see how it could be easier than that.  And to prime you only have to prime it once when you first get it because when you unlatch the lid it seals the prime in the tubes. If you ever need to prime it again then all you do is open the cap on the tube and pour water into it 2 mins before you plug it in. Again super simple.

[Marty]

I have an Eheim Professional II that is the same way.  It has a locking valve that you have to lift to disconnect the hoses from the canister.  You just clean it out, fill with water, reattach the top and then the hoses and turn it on.

I have had several Fluval canisters that were a pain, but I'd recommend this brand to anyone.

[African cichlid Keeper]

I loove my Fluval canisters.

[Ron]

I have had several Fluval canisters that were a pain, but I'd recommend this brand to anyone.

Fluval could be the reason I am anti-canister. It could also be that it's because I change my filter media while doing water changes. It convenient to do them while I'm babysitting the hose either filling or draining tanks.

IME, I can't remove the top of the unit without at least a little water spilling, so I have to do all maintenance over a tub. There's also a lot of nasty water at the bottom, so I have to remove all media from the unit every time. Then despite topping the canister off, once I reconnect the hoses 1/2 the time it'll prime nicely and 1/2 the time it won't. However, 100% of the time I have to rotate it about the vertical axis to help the bubbles work themselves out if I want it to be perfectly silent. 

... vs HOB Emp 400s - I flip a switch on a power bar, they all turn off, drain the media containers, replace filter floss in said containers, drop them in, and flip the switch back on for all filters once the tanks are refilled.