Canister filter flow rate for a 76 gallon tank planned for Discus?

[khoyme]

Getting back into the hobby after about 15 busy years away (the nest is empty, to it is time to get back into some old hobbies). I am lusting after a nice tank featuring Discus. We are looking at the 76 gallon 1/2 round from Oceanic.

The store with this tank on the floor recommended a Marineland C-530 for this application - 530 GPH is a 7x turnover rate. I have been also looking at the Fluval Fx5 (607 GPH), Eheim 2075 (290 GPH) and Rena Filstar XP3.

I have read various threads on various sites on the pros and cons of the various brands. I am leaning towards either the Eheim or the Rena ($220 versus $135) but am wondering if a 4-5x turnover is adequate for Discus??

I see all sorts of recommendations from 4x to 10x. I am interested in recommendations for what flow rate is right for such a setup. Also, I plan to make it a planted tank - probably very planted (may take the CO2 plunge as well).

Thoughts?

TIA,
Ken

 

[Crepe]

You want 5-10x turn over for a freshwater tank. I suggest about 5-7 for a discus tank. They don't like ripraff to much.

Welcome back to the hobby.

I suggest the Fluval though, good brand and you can always just throttle it back to get the right gph.

And discus also require near immaculate water so I would try to aim higher than 4-5. 6 or 7 is preferable I would say.

 

[HN1]

Welcome to AA and back to the hobby!

On a cost basis, I would probably opt for an XP3/4 and an additional HOB. Fluval and Eheim both are good filters though.

A lot will depend on what size discus you purchase. Growing them out really requires a different set up than adults.

 

[khoyme]

Thanks for the info. I thought I would find many choice of canister filters that would serve the needs of a 76 gallon tank, as that is not huge by any means. For 5x, I could chose the Marineland C-360 or C-530, Fluval Fx5, Eheim Pro 3e 2076 or Rena XP3 or XP4. At 7x, it is only the C-530 or Fx5 that can do it in a single unit.

It would seem that going to dual filters would be the only way folks could get this much flow. For affordability, I am thinking dual XP3s might be the way to go (that would give me 700GPH - about 9x) - dual XP3s would be enough, but there are only 2 trays in them, vs 3 in the XP3s -- would like the flexibility of 3 trays.

There would be some advantages to a dual setup - alternate cleaning, to ensure good stability of the biological filtration - redundancy in case one fails - and a logical setup for dual in-line heaters.

Ken

 

[khoyme]

A lot will depend on what size discus you purchase. Growing them out really requires a different set up than adults.

Say more -- I have read much on the differences for breeding discus (not in my immediate plans) but not about differences between raising younger fish versus adults.

But then I am still in a massive web and book reading mode right now. That is part of hobbies that I enjoy much - reading and learning.

Ken

 

[HN1]

Juvenile discus need cleaner water conditions and more frequent feedings. That means more maintenance, bare bottom, and/or automated. Discus are prone to stunting if not properly housed. I'm by far no expert on them.... search the web, there's a ton of info out there. There are also a lot of local discus clubs throughout the country.