HOB vs Canister for 40Gal Breeder

[User]

So I think its between the Fluval FX5 and Fluval 405. I like having a lot of filtration in the tank since its going to represent a river type. Would I need a powerhead if I had one of these? The FX5 is only $60 more and filters 4x as more, but will everything get sucked into it?

Thanks for all your help everyone, I am grateful for all your responses!

 

[Fishguy2727]

An FX5 would be overkill on a 40 gallon, too much flow. You can have too much flow, but not too much filtration, just more than enough.

If you got something like a Fluval 405 you shouldn't need a powerhead, so at least don't buy them at the same time.

 

[User]

An FX5 would be overkill on a 40 gallon, too much flow. You can have too much flow, but not too much filtration, just more than enough.

If you got something like a Fluval 405 you shouldn't need a powerhead, so at least don't buy them at the same time.

That is exactly what I was trying to figure out! Thanks so much for all your help and knowledge. I really am grateful!

So I guess I am going to stick to a Fluval 405 then! Now I just need to figure out what media for it lol

 

[Fishguy2727]

Hold on to the carbon they give you, you may need it later but shouldn't need it all the time.

You can use the Biomax that comes with it, but I wouldn't buy more. Seachem Matrix has more bioavailable surface area and may allow for denitrification. I would fill the top three trays with biomedia. Since the water goes down the slide-in tray that holds their foam (course mechanical) and then goes up the four stacking trays the bottom tray should hold fine mechanical/polishing media. This gets all that out before the water goes through the biomedia. I use 100% polyester pillow stuffing (no microbicides or anything) and cram it in to the bottom tray as tight as I can get it. This is a cheap and very effective fine mechanical/polishing media.