I am starting to order the equipment I will need for my new 120. The subject of filtration is still very confusing to me. I only want to pay for my filtration system once. I have been looking at getting 2 Filstar XP3s for this tank. The price seems decent and the filters are getting good reviews.
My question is whether or not this will give me adequate fflow and filtration capacity for a tank this size.
fyi, i am intrigued by the Fluval FX5
Thanks,
120 gallon filter question
120 gallon filter question
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Mike Hossom
Recovering Reef-o-holic
Mike Hossom
Recovering Reef-o-holic
I have a 110 tall setup at the moment and was running a Eheim 2128 thermofilter and found that the flow was inadequate. Currently there is a 2028 in addition to the 2128 and it's perfect imo. As for Filstar, I've heard nothing but good reviews about them. I think Filstar rates the flow for the canisters without media (something to keep in mind) I don't know how most people feel, but for me, more is better when it comes to filtration. Do it right once and you won't have to wory about it again.
Jon Snyder
In my experience it's very difficult to have too much flow and very easy to not have enough. I think you're on the right track as far as using two canister filters. It seems everyone recommends the Filstars over the Fluvals. Of course, Eheim is number one, but they come with a price for sure. Have you considered using two Filstar XP4s? I think that's a good option to consider. It will seem overkill at first. Once your tank is filled in densely with plants I think you'll find that it's just right.
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DelawareJim
- Posts: 1249
- Joined: Tue Dec 02, 2003 4:25 pm
- Real Name: Jim Michaels
- Location: Southeast PA
Ditto. I run 2 Eheim 2219's in my 110 tall (48 x 18 x 30 tall). Filtration has been fine, but I think the water could use some more flow/movement at the substrate because of the plant density. I think since your tank is 48 x 24, it will be more of an issue for you. If my tank was 48 x 24, I think I'd run the 2 biggest filters I could afford and a power head or small pump at gravel level to ensure good water movement at the substrate.
Cheers.
Jim
Cheers.
Jim
Last edited by DelawareJim on Mon Mar 24, 2008 8:25 am, edited 1 time in total.
My suggestions:
2x Xp4's
2-4x Powerheads plumbed to run the outlets through PVC, place the PVC under the substrate so that you have outflow in a bunch of different areas (not RUGF like but plumb the outlets so that they blow out about an inch or so above the substrate).
2x Xp4's
2-4x Powerheads plumbed to run the outlets through PVC, place the PVC under the substrate so that you have outflow in a bunch of different areas (not RUGF like but plumb the outlets so that they blow out about an inch or so above the substrate).
The other Jeff
Master of growing algae and getting better at plants
Master of growing algae and getting better at plants
http://kensfish.com/filstarcanisterfilters.html
Best pricing I've been able to find. I'd rather have two XP4's than one FX5, myself. The new filters, like the FX5, get a little upset about running things inline on them as it messes with flow rates (which it monitors) without telling it why - it gets mad.
Call around - I actually got my local PetSmart to price match them for an XP3 recently.
I don't think I'd be plumbing powerheads inline with my filters, I see bad things happening if you do that. Jeff sounds like he wants to replicate what a couple of us have going on in reef ready tanks - but it is a clean closed loop like on my 180g, filter is off on its own in another loop.
Personally, I think the two XP3's is plenty of filtration, but you may need additional flow - I'd set the additional flow in place with powerheads, or those neat little Hydor "up" flow powerheads that sit on the floor of the tank - but that is just me.
Best pricing I've been able to find. I'd rather have two XP4's than one FX5, myself. The new filters, like the FX5, get a little upset about running things inline on them as it messes with flow rates (which it monitors) without telling it why - it gets mad.
Call around - I actually got my local PetSmart to price match them for an XP3 recently.
I don't think I'd be plumbing powerheads inline with my filters, I see bad things happening if you do that. Jeff sounds like he wants to replicate what a couple of us have going on in reef ready tanks - but it is a clean closed loop like on my 180g, filter is off on its own in another loop.
Personally, I think the two XP3's is plenty of filtration, but you may need additional flow - I'd set the additional flow in place with powerheads, or those neat little Hydor "up" flow powerheads that sit on the floor of the tank - but that is just me.
Dave
I am not saying to plumb the powerheads into the same return as the Canisters.ingg wrote:http://kensfish.com/filstarcanisterfilters.html
Best pricing I've been able to find. I'd rather have two XP4's than one FX5, myself. The new filters, like the FX5, get a little upset about running things inline on them as it messes with flow rates (which it monitors) without telling it why - it gets mad.
Call around - I actually got my local PetSmart to price match them for an XP3 recently.
I don't think I'd be plumbing powerheads inline with my filters, I see bad things happening if you do that. Jeff sounds like he wants to replicate what a couple of us have going on in reef ready tanks - but it is a clean closed loop like on my 180g, filter is off on its own in another loop.
Personally, I think the two XP3's is plenty of filtration, but you may need additional flow - I'd set the additional flow in place with powerheads, or those neat little Hydor "up" flow powerheads that sit on the floor of the tank - but that is just me.
Yes the premise I am talking about is based off reef tanks though.
I thought about doing that for the Co2 return as it would in theory distribute it all over the tank more efficiently.
The other Jeff
Master of growing algae and getting better at plants
Master of growing algae and getting better at plants
Gotcha.
Well, two things. One, I didn't see this tank noted as Reef Ready. Two, how were you going to use 2 to 4 powerheads in one loop?
For an idea of the power/flow needed, I'm using a Mag9.5 - could have done it with a 7 I think, but anything less'd be underpowered to run the loop.
So that Mik isn't lost - Mike, I and a couple of others (whom I shamelessly copied) Use inline loops on reef ready setups to run everything inline - CO2 reactor, can also put heaters inlione, etc. - and have it return over the tank back and down to the tank floor, where it is plumbed into small jets pointing up.
Well, two things. One, I didn't see this tank noted as Reef Ready. Two, how were you going to use 2 to 4 powerheads in one loop?
For an idea of the power/flow needed, I'm using a Mag9.5 - could have done it with a 7 I think, but anything less'd be underpowered to run the loop.
So that Mik isn't lost - Mike, I and a couple of others (whom I shamelessly copied) Use inline loops on reef ready setups to run everything inline - CO2 reactor, can also put heaters inlione, etc. - and have it return over the tank back and down to the tank floor, where it is plumbed into small jets pointing up.
Dave
ok let me try to explain my mental picture
correct as needed.
picture say a 75
back wall of the tank
say have 4 mid grade powerheads outlet down, intake either sponge covered or bare screen.
Outlets go into 1/2-1" PVC which is setup in a B figure (flat of B at back of tank), have say 3-4 three to four way T's in the design with heat crimped PVC pointing up and out of the substrate.
The only thing that would be visible in theory would possibly be the powerheads (if not screened by plants) and the outlets if not screened by rocks, wood or plants.
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/ug_jets.php
quickest link but exactly what I am talking about.
My 55 driftwood idea would use this to minimize mulm behind the driftwood. the powerheads would be covered by the driftwood in the 55.
You could also do very similar to this with a bit of work using an external pump, replace the powerheads with screens and you would need to build in 2-4x (1-2 intake, 1-2 return) uprights. (I have seen this done with acrylic tubing and a heat gun as well as with PVC, but not in a very long time). The external could be set up to incorporate everything short of the Canisters. The only problem would be extra piping in the background.
correct as needed.
picture say a 75
back wall of the tank
say have 4 mid grade powerheads outlet down, intake either sponge covered or bare screen.
Outlets go into 1/2-1" PVC which is setup in a B figure (flat of B at back of tank), have say 3-4 three to four way T's in the design with heat crimped PVC pointing up and out of the substrate.
The only thing that would be visible in theory would possibly be the powerheads (if not screened by plants) and the outlets if not screened by rocks, wood or plants.
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/ug_jets.php
quickest link but exactly what I am talking about.
My 55 driftwood idea would use this to minimize mulm behind the driftwood. the powerheads would be covered by the driftwood in the 55.
You could also do very similar to this with a bit of work using an external pump, replace the powerheads with screens and you would need to build in 2-4x (1-2 intake, 1-2 return) uprights. (I have seen this done with acrylic tubing and a heat gun as well as with PVC, but not in a very long time). The external could be set up to incorporate everything short of the Canisters. The only problem would be extra piping in the background.
Last edited by JMLenke on Mon Mar 24, 2008 9:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
The other Jeff
Master of growing algae and getting better at plants
Master of growing algae and getting better at plants
Take the word loop out of the original post and it becomes clear. 4 pumps on 1 loop is what was throwing me off.
Michael Hill
Proud Member of the
Capital Cichlid Association
American Cichlid Association
Aquatic-Photography Forum
Proud Member of the
Capital Cichlid Association
American Cichlid Association
Aquatic-Photography Forum
