Filtration Question - Aquarium Advice

Thaiboxer · 12-22-2003, 05:46 PM

I ran a related thread a few days ago, but have one follow up. I'm moving from a 55 gallon to a 125 gallon, and I'm pretty clear on everything except:

Is 700 gallons per hour (2 magnum 350's) enough filtration for a 125 gallon with:
3-4 south american cichlids
1 pleco
1 red-tailed shark (he's sneaky...)

I really like canisters more than hang-on filters... thanks for your advice!

grimlock3000 · 12-22-2003, 05:59 PM

That would leave you with a 5.6x turnover, which is a little on the lower side for water movement. Once you get everything setup, you might want to add a power head to the tank to clear up any dead spots of water circulation. Dead spots can end up as algae problems pretty easily and decrease water quality. You should be OK though, that is not many fish at all for a 125.

Do you plan on adding more fish to the tank soon? Something like a Aquaclear 500 would help a lot when you start filling up the tank, and get you up to a 9.6x turnover rate. An Aquaclear 500 or other strong [acronym:75b915fb0f="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:75b915fb0f] filter might not cost much more than a good power head depending on where you order. Having a [acronym:75b915fb0f="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:75b915fb0f] filter gives you an easy way to add carbon to the tank and stuff if you need to.

captainGregor · 12-23-2003, 10:53 AM

Thaiboxer, I read your other thread so I know what is going on. I would also advise on [acronym:013a03a8d4="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:013a03a8d4] such as Emperor 400 - very good, silent, and low-profile filter that is barely seen behind your light strip. it is very quiet and powerful and has 2 bio-wheels, 2 huge cartridges and 2 media baskets. Bigalsonline will sell you one for $39. It is cheaper than anywhere. Of course if you do not like [acronym:013a03a8d4="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:013a03a8d4] then no advise on one will convince you to get it.

Thaiboxer · 12-23-2003, 12:19 PM

I guess my biggest beef with the [acronym:f15dd368a5="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:f15dd368a5] filter is having it stick out. If it's low profile and hides behind the lights, I guess I could deal with it. I've always wondered, also, about water movement left to right. With an [acronym:f15dd368a5="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:f15dd368a5], isn't the intake right by the return?

Hopefully that makes sense... does an [acronym:f15dd368a5="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:f15dd368a5] agitate the water enough? I guess I always figured they're just sucking up the same water they just spit out. Maybe I'm silly on this, but that's just how it looks

I looked at the Emporers and they seem VERY reasonable. I'll also check prices on the Aquaclear 500, it sounds like overkill - whick I like

I will probably add 1-2 more SA cichlids after the tank move.

Would a silver arrowana survive in this tank? I think they're super cool.

Thank you again!

BrianNY · 12-23-2003, 12:32 PM

I'm with you on this too Thai boxer. I've got bio wheels on most of my tanks and they do anexcellent job. But I prefer the low profile of the cannisters. The knock on the cannisters is in ease of cleaning. [acronym:797eb1ba0a="In my opinion"]IMO[/acronym:797eb1ba0a] you are fine with another cannister. Let me suggest the Fluval 404. It's a snap to clean.

grimlock3000 · 12-23-2003, 01:22 PM

"I guess my biggest beef with the [acronym:131a18397b="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:131a18397b] filter is having it stick out. If it's low profile and hides behind the lights, I guess I could deal with it."

The Aquaclears have a very low profile. I can not see mine at all behind the strip lights on either of my tanks. They rise about one inch about the top rim of the tank. The Bio Wheel filters can be pretty noticable with the wheel sticking up and everything. Depending on how the tank is setup, this may or may not be an issue.

"I've always wondered, also, about water movement left to right. With an [acronym:131a18397b="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:131a18397b], isn't the intake right by the return?

Hopefully that makes sense... does an [acronym:131a18397b="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:131a18397b] agitate the water enough? I guess I always figured they're just sucking up the same water they just spit out. Maybe I'm silly on this, but that's just how it looks"

The water goes down and out of the power filters, not just down right by the intake tube. Water from my HOBs makes it to the front glass of the tanks and then flows around from there. You do not have to worry about not mixing up the surface enough, or not moving around enough water.

Thaiboxer · 12-23-2003, 02:12 PM

I checked pricing on Big Als, and the Aquaclear is very reasonable. I'll probably run my current Magnum 350 and get an Aquaclear 500, that'd give me the whole aquarium moving through the filter 6.8 times per hour - realistically a little more because of the volume displaced by rocks, gravel, etc.

Thanks for your advice on this!

christerrell2k3 · 12-23-2003, 02:37 PM

once i got the xp3 and emp. 400 on the 55, i have never seen my tank so clear... with that xp3 i have some diff. material that has really made improvements... xp3's would be a good decision for that tank also.

captainGregor · 12-23-2003, 03:27 PM

As far as Emperor, you cannot see it behind the light. As far as I know, the Aquaclear does not have bio-wheels. Emperor adds this huge benefit, but of course you have the canister for that. Emperor also comes with long intake extension that you will use to lower the intake all the way down. The water from bio-wheel trickles down to this little tray inside water and bounces from it going across the surface.

christerrell2k3: what is XP3?

malkore · 12-23-2003, 04:29 PM

wow, a Rena Filstar Xp3 on a 55gallon? that seems like overkill, since i've got the Xp2 on my 75gallon

12-22-2003, 05:46 PM	#1
Thaiboxer Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 449	Filtration Question I ran a related thread a few days ago, but have one follow up. I'm moving from a 55 gallon to a 125 gallon, and I'm pretty clear on everything except: Is 700 gallons per hour (2 magnum 350's) enough filtration for a 125 gallon with: 3-4 south american cichlids 1 pleco 1 red-tailed shark (he's sneaky...) I really like canisters more than hang-on filters... thanks for your advice!

12-22-2003, 05:59 PM	#2
grimlock3000 Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: maine Posts: 1,971 Images: 1	That would leave you with a 5.6x turnover, which is a little on the lower side for water movement. Once you get everything setup, you might want to add a power head to the tank to clear up any dead spots of water circulation. Dead spots can end up as algae problems pretty easily and decrease water quality. You should be OK though, that is not many fish at all for a 125. Do you plan on adding more fish to the tank soon? Something like a Aquaclear 500 would help a lot when you start filling up the tank, and get you up to a 9.6x turnover rate. An Aquaclear 500 or other strong [acronym:75b915fb0f="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:75b915fb0f] filter might not cost much more than a good power head depending on where you order. Having a [acronym:75b915fb0f="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:75b915fb0f] filter gives you an easy way to add carbon to the tank and stuff if you need to. __________________ 26 freshwater 2x Sunburst Platys (2M, 2F) // 3x Neon Tetras (?) // 2x Cherry Barbs (1M, 1F) // 2x YoYo Loaches (?) // 1x Bushy Nose Pleco (M) // 1x Clown Pleco (?) // 15H marine -30# Live Rock -Mixed Snails (Nassarius // Cerith // Astrea // Black Turbo // Mexican Turbo) -8x Blue Leg Hermit Crabs // 1x Banded Serpent Star // 1x Cleaner Shrimp -1x Royal Gramma // 1x Percula Clownfish -2x Mushroom Leather // Metallic Green Star Polyps // Pulsing Xenia // Striped Xenia // Blue Mushroom -Remora + Maxi-Jet 1200 // 2x Maxi-Jet 600 // Maxi-Jet 400 // Visi-Therm Deluxe 50 // Current USA Orbit 2x 40w [acronym:f2db8017b4="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:f2db8017b4]

12-23-2003, 10:53 AM	#3
captainGregor Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 181 Images: 9	Thaiboxer, I read your other thread so I know what is going on. I would also advise on [acronym:013a03a8d4="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:013a03a8d4] such as Emperor 400 - very good, silent, and low-profile filter that is barely seen behind your light strip. it is very quiet and powerful and has 2 bio-wheels, 2 huge cartridges and 2 media baskets. Bigalsonline will sell you one for $39. It is cheaper than anywhere. Of course if you do not like [acronym:013a03a8d4="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:013a03a8d4] then no advise on one will convince you to get it. __________________ 55g Emperor 400, Wet-Dry Pro 30 w/Penguin 660, Ebo-Jager TS 250 - 4 Assorted Angels (Smokey, Marble, Golden) - 2 Blue Acaras-Aequidens pulcher - 2 Otocinclus Cats. - 3 Spotted Corys (Corydoras agassizi) - 4 Clown Loaches - 2 Rosy Barbs

12-23-2003, 01:22 PM	#6
grimlock3000 Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: maine Posts: 1,971 Images: 1	"I guess my biggest beef with the [acronym:131a18397b="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:131a18397b] filter is having it stick out. If it's low profile and hides behind the lights, I guess I could deal with it." The Aquaclears have a very low profile. I can not see mine at all behind the strip lights on either of my tanks. They rise about one inch about the top rim of the tank. The Bio Wheel filters can be pretty noticable with the wheel sticking up and everything. Depending on how the tank is setup, this may or may not be an issue. "I've always wondered, also, about water movement left to right. With an [acronym:131a18397b="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:131a18397b], isn't the intake right by the return? Hopefully that makes sense... does an [acronym:131a18397b="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:131a18397b] agitate the water enough? I guess I always figured they're just sucking up the same water they just spit out. Maybe I'm silly on this, but that's just how it looks" The water goes down and out of the power filters, not just down right by the intake tube. Water from my HOBs makes it to the front glass of the tanks and then flows around from there. You do not have to worry about not mixing up the surface enough, or not moving around enough water. __________________ 26 freshwater 2x Sunburst Platys (2M, 2F) // 3x Neon Tetras (?) // 2x Cherry Barbs (1M, 1F) // 2x YoYo Loaches (?) // 1x Bushy Nose Pleco (M) // 1x Clown Pleco (?) // 15H marine -30# Live Rock -Mixed Snails (Nassarius // Cerith // Astrea // Black Turbo // Mexican Turbo) -8x Blue Leg Hermit Crabs // 1x Banded Serpent Star // 1x Cleaner Shrimp -1x Royal Gramma // 1x Percula Clownfish -2x Mushroom Leather // Metallic Green Star Polyps // Pulsing Xenia // Striped Xenia // Blue Mushroom -Remora + Maxi-Jet 1200 // 2x Maxi-Jet 600 // Maxi-Jet 400 // Visi-Therm Deluxe 50 // Current USA Orbit 2x 40w [acronym:f2db8017b4="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:f2db8017b4]

12-23-2003, 02:37 PM	#8
christerrell2k3 Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 64	once i got the xp3 and emp. 400 on the 55, i have never seen my tank so clear... with that xp3 i have some diff. material that has really made improvements... xp3's would be a good decision for that tank also. __________________ 55 Gallon South American Tank XP3 + Emp. 400 Jack Dempsey and crew. 30 Gallon Tang. Cube Xp2 Yellow Cavlus and front friends.

12-23-2003, 12:19 PM	#4
Thaiboxer Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 449	I guess my biggest beef with the [acronym:f15dd368a5="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:f15dd368a5] filter is having it stick out. If it's low profile and hides behind the lights, I guess I could deal with it. I've always wondered, also, about water movement left to right. With an [acronym:f15dd368a5="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:f15dd368a5], isn't the intake right by the return? Hopefully that makes sense... does an [acronym:f15dd368a5="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:f15dd368a5] agitate the water enough? I guess I always figured they're just sucking up the same water they just spit out. Maybe I'm silly on this, but that's just how it looks I looked at the Emporers and they seem VERY reasonable. I'll also check prices on the Aquaclear 500, it sounds like overkill - whick I like I will probably add 1-2 more SA cichlids after the tank move. Would a silver arrowana survive in this tank? I think they're super cool. Thank you again!

12-23-2003, 12:32 PM	#5
BrianNY Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NY Posts: 4,259 Images: 18	I'm with you on this too Thai boxer. I've got bio wheels on most of my tanks and they do anexcellent job. But I prefer the low profile of the cannisters. The knock on the cannisters is in ease of cleaning. [acronym:797eb1ba0a="In my opinion"]IMO[/acronym:797eb1ba0a] you are fine with another cannister. Let me suggest the Fluval 404. It's a snap to clean.

12-23-2003, 02:12 PM	#7
Thaiboxer Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 449	I checked pricing on Big Als, and the Aquaclear is very reasonable. I'll probably run my current Magnum 350 and get an Aquaclear 500, that'd give me the whole aquarium moving through the filter 6.8 times per hour - realistically a little more because of the volume displaced by rocks, gravel, etc. Thanks for your advice on this!

12-23-2003, 03:27 PM	#9
captainGregor Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 181 Images: 9	As far as Emperor, you cannot see it behind the light. As far as I know, the Aquaclear does not have bio-wheels. Emperor adds this huge benefit, but of course you have the canister for that. Emperor also comes with long intake extension that you will use to lower the intake all the way down. The water from bio-wheel trickles down to this little tray inside water and bounces from it going across the surface. christerrell2k3: what is XP3? __________________ 55g Emperor 400, Wet-Dry Pro 30 w/Penguin 660, Ebo-Jager TS 250 - 4 Assorted Angels (Smokey, Marble, Golden) - 2 Blue Acaras-Aequidens pulcher - 2 Otocinclus Cats. - 3 Spotted Corys (Corydoras agassizi) - 4 Clown Loaches - 2 Rosy Barbs

12-23-2003, 04:29 PM	#10
malkore Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Nebraska, USA Posts: 6,540	wow, a Rena Filstar Xp3 on a 55gallon? that seems like overkill, since i've got the Xp2 on my 75gallon __________________ Visit my aquarium pages - see specs on my tanks, and photos of how they've evolved My other passion: TheNinja 500R - updated 9/18/05

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